Trigger optimization for in-beam PET dedicated to particle therapy range verification

International audiencePurpose: Proton and carbon ion therapies are a very attractive treatment modality thanks to their well-defined range in matter and specific depth dose characteristics. However, it is very hard to precisely predict the exact location of the depth dose steep fall-off in the patient. This is mainly due to inaccuracies and non-uniqueness in the conversion from the Hounsfield Unit into ion stopping power, anatomical changes, patient positioning and movement. Because of these uncertainties, in-vivo ion range verification would be a key issue which would allow improvement in the precision of such methods of treatment delivery