Performance evaluation of an LED flatbed scanner for triple channel film dosimetry with EBT3 and EBT-XD film

We investigate the properties of a light emitting diode (LED) flatbed scanner for use with EBT3 and EBT-XD film types in a clinical radiochromic film (RCF) dosimetry program with modern treatment techniques. The flatbed scanner was characterised in terms of lateral and longitudinal response, X-Y scaling integrity, scanning reproducibility, scanner warm up dependence and film orientation dependence. The preferred lateral response artefact (LRA) corrections are investigated for the LED light source. Supporting evidence is provided regarding the dose independent nature of the corrections while also providing results suggesting a potential film type independence. Results from 2D gamma analysis of four patient treatments were compared between the new 12000XL and existing 10000XL model. Lastly, a dose uncertainty analysis was performed for the film-scanner system combination. It may be concluded that the lateral response variation requires correction while the longitudinal response variation is insignificant. The linear scaling in the lateral and longitudinal directions are within 0.5% and the scanner reproducibility is stable. Scanner warm up dependence no longer exists, and effort should be made to maintain all film orientation in a study set within 15 degrees. The LRA corrections are as reported substantially dose independent and there is evidence to support film type independence. Comparative gamma analysis of patient specific dose maps between the EPSON 10000XL (xenon fluorescent lamp) and 12000XL (LED) scanners showed that results are indistinguishable for both film types across the two scanner models when the necessary corrections are applied. Dose uncertainty is in agreement with the literature and can be kept below 3% with necessary corrections applied.