Monte Carlo Modeling for Intravascular Brachytherapy Sources

摘要

Monte Carlo codes for the solution of coupled electron-photon transport problems have been undergoing development and refinement for the last 40 years, roughly in parallel with the advancement of computing technology. In general mathematical terms, the Monte Carlo method provides a solution to the integro-differential Boltzman equation that governs radiation transport. The transport equation generally involves six or more variables. Formal solutions to the transport equation have been developed only in rather restrictive approximations, usually disregarding one or more of the variables. While not sufficient by themselves for general transport problems, these limited solutions, particularly those for electron transport, provide the basis for many of the Monte Carlo methods in use today. With the advent of intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) about 10 years ago, it is logical for Monte Carlo calculations to have been applied to the important, and experimentally difficult, dosimetry characterization for these sources.