From conception to clinical trial: IViST -- the first multi-sensor-based platform for real-time In Vivo dosimetry and Source Tracking in HDR brachytherapy

TL;DR

This paper introduces IViST, a multi-sensor platform for real-time in vivo dosimetry and source tracking in HDR brachytherapy, enabling accurate dose measurement and source localization during treatment.

Contribution

The paper presents the first multi-sensor system capable of real-time dose measurement and source triangulation in HDR brachytherapy, integrating hardware and software innovations.

Findings

High sampling rate of 100,000 measurements/sec enables rapid QA/QC.

Multi-sensor setup allows real-time source triangulation.

Clinical trial is currently underway to validate the system.

Abstract

This study aims to introduce IViST (In Vivo Source Tracking), a novel multi-sensors dosimetry platform for real-time treatment monitoring in HDR brachytherapy. IViST is a platform that comprises 3 parts: 1) an optimized and characterized multi-point plastic scintillator dosimeter (3 points mPSD; using BCF-60, BCF-12, and BCF-10 scintillators), 2) a compact assembly of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) coupled to dichroic mirrors and filters for high-sensitivity scintillation light collection, and 3) a Python-based graphical user interface used for system management and signal processing. IViST can simultaneously measure dose, triangulate source position, and measure dwell time. By making 100 000 measurements/s, IViST samples enough data to quickly perform key QA/QC tasks such as identifying wrong individual dwell time or interchanged transfer tubes. By using 3 co-linear sensors and planned information for an implant geometry (from DICOM RT), the platform can also triangulate source position in real-time. A clinical trial is presently on-going using the IViST system.