1. Integrating the Health Care Enterprise- Radiation Oncology
Flattening Filter Free- mode
IHE-RO Use Case Champions – call
June 13, 2011
Created by Mika Miettinen based on the request by MITA
IHE-RO
Integrating the Health Care Enterprise- Radiation Oncology

2. Flattening Filter Free - mode
Problem
Flattening Filter Free (FFF) has different beam characteristics compared to standard flat beams, and requires a new definition to describe the filter configuration of the treatment head in the treatment plan
Vendors need to implement the data transfer consistently to avoid potential interoperability and safety problems
Potential safety risk can arise e.g. in following cases
Treatment planning is configured using FFF beam data, but it is not able to describe the FFF information to the information system, and thus FFF beam turns to a flat beam during data transfer
Information system does not understand the intended FFF beam definition from treatment planning, and thus FFF beam turns to a flat beam during data transfer
Treatment machine does not understand the intended FFF beam definition from information system or treatment planning, and thus FFF beam turns to a flat beam during data transfer

3. Flattening Filter Free - mode
Solution
DICOM WG-7 has implemented a definition in DICOM RT standard that can be used to characterize the FFF beam in DICOM RT data transfer
Same data construct shall be used for other new beam modalities that require a special beam filter in treatment head.
Natural extension to the Advanced RT Objects Integration Profile

4. Flattening Filter Free - mode
Benefits
Implementation of the standard, and testing in the connecthaton will ensure safe interoperability of different radiotherapy systems that are managing treatment plan information containing FFF beams