Differences

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--- electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator [2021/03/30 01:15] – [Skin Collimator Creation] dpatenaude
+++ electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator [2021/07/29 18:28] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Skin Collimator Creation ======
-A skin collimator is an optional device for each electron treatment beam. Here the user can create and edit skin collimators for the selected beam as well as edit values for an existing collimator. From within the Electron Beam Task you may add a skin collimator to a beam by clicking the “Add One” button from within the Skin Collimator Block.
+A skin collimator is an optional device for each electron treatment beam. In the Collimation block, the user can create and edit skin collimators for the selected beam as well as edit values for an existing collimator. From within the Electron Beam Task you may add a skin collimator to a beam by clicking the “Use Skin Collimation” checkbox from within the Collimation Block.
-<imgcaption beams_skin_collimator_block|Skin Collimator Block>{{ :electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator_adding.png?direct&400 }}</imgcaption>
+<imgcaption beams_skin_collimator_block|Skin Collimation Checkbox>{{ :electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator_adding.png?direct&400 }}</imgcaption>
-<WRAP center round info 60%>
+<WRAP center round info 75%>
-**Note: when using a skin collimator and a bolus:**\\ \\
+**A note regarding the use of skin collimation with bolus**\\ \\
-While a skin collimator can be added to any beam and used with any bolus, it is recommended that they are only used with an Optimized Thickness bolus. Only the Optimized Bolus will have its shape updated to correctly account for a skin collimator. All other bolus types will require the user to review and ensure there is no fitment interference between the skin collimator, bolus, and patient surface.
+Skin collimation can be added to any beam and used with any bolus type, however, only an Optimized Thickness Bolus will automatically conform its shape to correctly account for the presence of a skin collimator. Therefore, caution must be used with all other bolus types as the user must manually review the bolus and skin collimator to ensure there is an appropriate fit (e.g. no overlap, interference, or unwanted air gaps) between the skin collimator, bolus, and patient surface.
 </WRAP>
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   * **Thickness:** The value (in cm) of the thickness of the skin collimator from the surface of the patient external structure.
-**Note:** The app will automatically recalculate and display changes to the skin collimator as the thickness is edited.
+**Note:** The default Thickness value is automatically calculated based on the beam energy. To edit the thickness, click the "edit" control to the right of the thickness value. The app will automatically recalculate and display changes to the skin collimator as the thickness is edited.
 <imgcaption skin_collimator_controls|Skin collimator controls>{{ :electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator_controls.png?direct&400 }}</imgcaption>
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 ===== Margins =====
   * **Target Margin:** The value (in cm) of the margin around the target structure as projected to isocenter. A negative margin can be used to specify a contraction around the beam target while positive values will cause an expansion.
+  * **Block Margin:** The value (in cm) of the margin between the skin collimator opening shape and the electron block opening shape. When a skin collimator is added to the beam, the block opening shape becomes an expansion of the skin collimator opening shape according to the block margin value. Any edits made to the shape of the block opening will be transferred to the skin collimator opening shape when the users chooses to add skin collimation to the beam.
   * **Outer Margin:** The value (in cm) of the margin between the skin collimator opening shape and the outer shape of the collimator as projected to isocenter. A negative margin can be used to specify a contraction of the outer skin collimator shape while positive values will cause an expansion.
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 ===== Collimator Avoidance Structures =====
-Using controls that are shared with electron blocks, the user may select one or more structures in the structure list here to add as an [[electronrt:userguide:tutorials:all_tutorials#avoidance_structures|Avoidance Structure]]. Avoidance structures will decrease the skin collimator opening to remove all areas within the projection of the structure.
+Using controls that are shared with electron blocks, the user may select one or more structures in the structure list here to add as an [[electronrt:userguide:tutorials:all_tutorials#avoidance_structures|Avoidance Structure]]. Avoidance structures will decrease the skin collimator opening to remove all areas within the projection of the structure. Note that avoidance structures will also affect the shape of the electron block opening as it is an expansion of the skin collimator opening.
 <imgcaption collimator_avoidance|Skin collimator with avoidance structure>{{ :electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator_avoidance_structure.png?direct&500 }}</imgcaption>
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 ===== Collimator Manual Edits =====
-By default manual editing of the block shape it disabled, but a user can elect to enable the ability to manually change the skin collimator opening shape in a manner that is identical to [[electronrt:userguide:tutorials:all_tutorials#manual_edits|Manually Editing]] the electron block opening shape.
+By default manual editing of the block shape it disabled, but a user can elect to enable the ability to manually change the skin collimator opening shape in a manner that is identical to [[electronrt:userguide:tutorials:all_tutorials#manual_edits|Manually Editing]] the electron block opening shape. Note that manual edits will also affect the shape of the electron block opening as it is an expansion of the skin collimator opening.
 <imgcaption block_manual_edit|Skin collimator manual edits>{{ :electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator_manual_edits.png?direct&400 }}</imgcaption>
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 ===== Collimator Shape Smoothing =====
-  * **Level:** Sets the level of smoothing applied to the skin collimator opening shape.
+  * **Level:** Sets the level of smoothing applied to the skin collimator opening shape. This does not smooth the patient or beam side surface of the skin collimator.
 **Note:** The app will automatically recalculate and display changes to the skin collimator based on the set smoothing level.
 <imgcaption skin_collimator_smoothing|Setting the smoothing level for the skin collimator>{{ :electronrt:userguide:tutorials:skin_collimator_smoothing_controls.png?direct&400 }}</imgcaption>