A GPU-cloud based Monte Carlo simulation platform for National Particle Therapy Research Center

项目摘要 蒙特卡罗(MC)模拟是一种有价值的放射治疗工具。尤其是对于粒子束辐射 治疗(PBRT)，其显著的价值已被公认。例子包括但不限于， 准确计算对治疗几何和解剖高度敏感的剂量分布，减少 射程不确定性，开发新的治疗验证技术，从 微观层面，设计处理设施。因此，研究人员渴望拥有一种快速、健壮和 易于使用的MC系统在他们的学习。然而，使用当前可用的MC存在两个主要困难 用于PBRT的包，即低计算效率和对用户专业知识的高要求。冲突 在使用MC的强烈愿望和使用困难之间，阻碍了研究和临床 PBRT中的活性显著增加。作为国家粒子疗法研究规划过程的一部分 中心(NPTRC)，我们在这个试点项目中提出了一个高度准确、高效且用户友好的集中式MC 采用新型图形处理器(GPU)和云计算技术的仿真系统。不同 从运行在用户端的传统MC包来看，我们的系统远程驻留在云中 并通过标准的Web浏览器向PBRT研究人员提供MC模拟服务。而我们的 长期目标是提供新颖的MC模拟，以促进NPTRC及其未来的建立 研究活动，以及服务于整个PBRT社区，该试点项目的目标是启动 通过开发和验证聚焦于粒子束的原型系统来努力实现长期目标 剂量计算，以证明可行性和影响。这个项目的交付能力已经很明显了 成熟的技术和我们广泛的初步研究证明了这一点。强大的研究团队， 特别是帕罗迪博士在粒子物理建模方面的整合，也确保了成功。我们的目标将是 通过追求两个具体目标(SA)完成：(1)系统开发：开发Web界面、物理 数据库，以及基于核心GPU的MC仿真代码。(2)系统验证：全面验证 并对系统的计算精度和效率进行了测试。在服务器中执行端到端功能测试 具有代表性的研究情景。这一试点项目符合拟议的NPTRC设施的总体计划。(1) 作为NPTRC的一个组成部分，它将在规划阶段发挥关键作用，提供 对不同临床、物理和技术场景的逼真模拟。从长远来看，我们的系统将 大大扩展NPTRC的研究能力，从而为建立ITS做出重大贡献 在PBRT领域处于领先地位。(2)我们的系统为PBRT领域提供了高质量的MC模拟。连续式 开发将增加更多功能，以满足不同研究方面的需求。这是对齐的 NPTRC的使命是为研究人员提供资源，以调查PBRT中的重要问题。

Project Summary Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is a valuable tool for radiation therapy. Particularly for particle beam radiation therapy (PBRT), its remarkable value has been well recognized. Examples include, but not limited to, accurately calculating dose distributions that are highly sensitive to treatment geometry and anatomy, reducing range uncertainty, developing novel treatment verification techniques, capturing radiobiological effects from the microscopic level, and designing treatment facility. Hence, researchers are eager to have a fast, robust, and easy-to-use MC system in their studies. Yet, there are two main difficulties to use current available MC packages for PBRT, namely low computational efficiency and highly required user expertise. The conflicts between the great desire of using MC and the difficulties of using it have impeded research and clinical activities in PBRT to significantly. As part of the planning process for National Particle Therapy Research Center (NPTRC), we propose in this pilot project a highly accurate, efficient, yet user-friendly centralized MC simulation system using novel graphics-processing unit (GPU) and cloud-computing technologies. Different from conventional MC packages running on the user's end, our system remotely resides in a cloud inside NPTRC and provides MC simulation services to PBRT researchers though standard web browsers. While our long-term goal is to deliver novel MC simulations to facilitate the establishments of NPTRC and its future research activities, as well as to service the entire PBRT community, the goal of this pilot project is to initiate efforts toward the long-term goal by developing and validating a prototype system focusing on particle beam dose calculations to demonstrate feasibility and impacts. The deliverability of this project has been clearly demonstrated by mature technologies and our extensive preliminary studies. The strong research team, particularly the integration of Dr. Parodi for particle physics modeling, also ensures success. Our goal will be accomplished by pursuing two specific aims (SAs): (1) System developments: develop web interface, physics database, and core GPU-based MC simulation codes. (2) System validations: Comprehensively validate the computational accuracy of our system and test its efficiency. Perform end-to-end functionality test in a representative research scenario. This pilot project fits into the overall plan for the proposed NPTRC facility. (1) Being an integral component of NPTRC, it will play a critical role for the planning stage by offering virtual yet realistic simulations of different clinical, physical, and technical scenarios. In the long run, our system will greatly expand NPTRC's research capacity and hence significantly contribute to the establishments of its leading role in PBRT field. (2) Our system service PBRT field with high quality MC simulations. Continuous developments will add much more features to address needs from different research aspects. This is aligned with the NPTRC's mission of providing resources for researchers to investigate important problems in PBRT.