Predictive quality assurance for linear accelerator target failure using statistical process control Journal Article
| Authors: | Li, J.; Wang, D.; Chan, M. |
| Article Title: | Predictive quality assurance for linear accelerator target failure using statistical process control |
| Abstract: | The performance of a linear accelerator (Linac) depends on the integrity of its x-ray target. The sudden failure of its target not only breaks down the Linac but also could contribute significant disruptions to patient care. This work is to develop a predicative quality assurance (QA) method using Statistical Process Control (SPC) and AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) modeling to identify the risk of target failure before it occurs. In the past years, we observed two incidents of target failure among our Linacs. Retrospectively, we collected past daily QA data (from both open fields and enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW) measurements) and analyzed its historical trend using methods of SPC and ARIMA. SPC is a technique that monitors process performance based on statistical analysis. ARIMA is a time-series forecasting algorithm that can be used to estimate future values based on its past pattern. Both have been evaluated for predictive QA in radiotherapy. Application of SPC on open beam QA data would not yield an early warning signal to the pending target failures. However, when the same SPC methodology applies to EDW measurements, the control limits were breached a couple of weeks before the target failed. EDW mechanism introduces nonuniform magnification factors over its wedge-directed beam profiles and is responsible for the sensitivity of its profile to changing beam properties induced by a degrading target. Further extension of the warning period may be possible by using ARIMA modeling. Predicative QA for EDW daily data using SPC and ARIMA methods may provide an early QA warning to incoming Linac target failure. © 2023 IOP Publishing Ltd |
| Keywords: | retrospective studies; methodology; radiotherapy; retrospective study; algorithms; statistical analysis; algorithm; radiation oncology; quality assurance; forecasting; phantoms, imaging; time series analysis; particle accelerators; performance; predictive value; linear accelerators; predictive model; humans; human; article; linac; predicative quality assurance; statistical process control; accelerator targets; auto-regressive; enhanced dynamic wedges; moving average model; moving averages; statistical process-control; x ray targets; autoregressive integrated moving average model |
| Journal Title: | Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express |
| Volume: | 9 |
| Issue: | 5 |
| ISSN: | 2057-1976 |
| Publisher: | IOP Publishing Ltd |
| Date Published: | 2023-09-01 |
| Start Page: | 055018 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1088/2057-1976/ace6a1 |
| PUBMED: | 37437550 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PDF -- Corresponding author is MSK author: Jingdong Li -- Source: Scopus |
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