| Activities |
- A report aimed at investigators (likely to be published in radiation research), chiefly radiation biologists but also technicians and end-users using image-guided conformal small animal irradiators (IGCSAI). The main purpose of this report is to convince end-users of the important role that academically-oriented physicists can play in supporting laboratory research, particularly when using highly advanced and specialized equipment such as IGCSAI. The specific charges will be:
- Review the capabilities of IGCSAI to enable translational pre-clinical research to a unique degree by closely approximating clinical conditions.
- Review the specific technologies and characteristics in which conformal image-guided small animal irradiators differ from previously used cabinet-style irradiators most investigators and end-users are familiar with
- Review failure modes in which user errors or insufficient RO knowledge can result in failed experiments, e.g. by increasing variability of radiation dose delivered, missed targets, etc… unique to highly precise IGCSAI
- Provide practical examples of good experimental design and outline the role of the physicists in designing and reviewing experiments and training end users to avoid such errors
- Emphasize the necessary knowledge and expertise to end users and establish the need for physicists to become involved in laboratory radiation research
- Develop guidelines to improve reporting of experimental conditions in preclinical irradiations using IGCSAI to improve replicability and interpretability of studies.
- A task group report aimed at medical physicists, to be published in medical physics, providing recommendations to medical physicists on the main aspects to consider when working with IGCSAI systems. Particular attention will be given to the commissioning, validation, and routine quality assurance of IGCSAI systems. This would of course include basic calibration and relative dosimetry considerations as per TG-319, but would focus more heavily on the unique characteristics of IGCSAI: namely, small field (=1 mm) dosimetry, sub-mm accuracy in volumetric imaging, localization, and robotic couch motions, and kV treatment planning systems. The specific charges are presented below. While the scope of this document is similar to the previous document, the focus and depth of these sections will be different in line with the different audience:
- Review the relevance of radiation biology results in defining basic knowledge and guiding translational research
- Review the status of dosimetry in radiation biology experiments including issues pertaining to calibration, relative dosimetry, and particularly, designing experiments
- Emphasize the role of the radiation oncology physicists in all steps of pre-clinical research, from choosing equipment, commissioning and calibrating systems, designing experiments, training end-users, and overseeing the ongoing use of such devices and establishment of a quality assurance program
- Review current models of image-guided conformal animal irradiators and contrast their similarities vs their unique characteristics, and identify areas of interest on which physicists can best focus their attention
- Present a list of critical performance tests with recommended frequencies and tolerances to establish and maintain a quality assurance program for IGCSAI based on the failure modes risk assessment scores
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| By-Laws: | Not Referenced.Rules: Not Referenced. |
| Standing? | This is not a standing committee. |
| Approved Date(s): | 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
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| Reviewable Draft Deadline: | |
| Committee Keywords: |
No Keywords Entered
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Chair
Yannick Poirier
Task Group Chair
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2025 Roster
(dates shown below are start and end dates of position.)
= complete and up-to-date
= up-to-date but expires soon
= incomplete or out of date conflict of interest statement.
| VOTING Appointments | There are 7 voting members. |
Board of Directors 
TG445: Commissioning and routine quality assurance guidelines for conformal small animal irradiators [Status]
Parham Alaei, PhD