User manual

1
INTRODUCTION (Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A26tTy2iF88)
FilmQA
™
Pro is a sophisticated, quantitative, analysis tool specifically designed to
simplify and streamline your IMRT QA process. The program allows you to scan or
open images of exposed application films and calculate the optimized dose maps. The
calculation is based on a scanner-dependent function generated from calibrated data
derived from three color channels (red, green and blue). The three color channels are
produced by using Gafchromic
™
EBT2, EBT3, MD-V3 or HD-V2 films. These self-
developing radiochromic dosimetry films are intended specifically for applications in
radiotherapy.
FilmQA
™
Pro complements Gafchromic
™
dosimetry films. When these Gafchromic
™
films are used, the optimized dose maps include corrections for thickness artifacts by
using the blue color channel to measure the absorbance of the yellow marker-dye in the
films and when the films are used with a professional flat-bed color scanner, FilmQA
™
Pro’s easy-to-use features are ideal for the fast-paced, processor-less environment of
the modern hospital.
The purpose of this guide is to familiarize the user with the many useful features of
FilmQA
™
Pro with a particular focus on the basic functions of calibration, calculation of a
dose map from an exposed film, comparison of a dose map to a patient-specific
treatment plan and execution of machine QA functions like star shot analysis, flatness
and symmetry determination and assessment of MLC function. In addition to the
contents of this User Guide a number of instructional videos are available for view on
YouTube. Use the table of contents in this guide to easily navigate to the desired
section, or read through the instructions step-by-step. In the end, our goal is to provide
both an in-depth introduction to and a quick reference for, all the features available in
FilmQA
™
Pro.
FilmQA
™
Pro is built on Ashland proprietary technology, patents pending.