Pylinac provides TG-142 quality assurance (QA) tools to Python programmers as well as non-programmers in the field of therapy medical physics.

Pylinac contains high-level modules for automatically analyzing images and data generated by linear accelerators. Most scripts can be utilized with <10 lines of code. The built-in GUI is also straight-forward although programming experience may help identify errors.

The library also contains lower-level hackable modules & tools for creating your own image analysis algorithms.

The major features of the entire package include:

• PDF report generation for solid documentation
• Automatic phantom registration even if you don't set up your phantom perfect
• Image loading from file, ZIP archives, or URLs

To get started, install the package, run the demos, view the API docs, and learn the module design, visit the Full Documentation on Read The Docs.

Install via pip, just check the dependencies first:

$ pip install pylinac

See the Installation page for further details.

Below are the high-level tools currently available:

• TG-51 & TRS-398 Absolute Dose Calibration -

  Input the raw data and pylinac can calculate either individual values (kQ, PDDx, Pion, etc) or use the provided classes to input all measurement data and have it calculate all factors and dose values automatically.

  Example script:

  from pylinac import tg51, trs398
  
  ENERGY = 6
  TEMP = 22.1
  PRESS = tg51.mmHg2kPa(755.0)
  CHAMBER = '30013'  # PTW
  P_ELEC = 1.000
  ND_w = 5.443  # Gy/nC
  MU = 200
  CLINICAL_PDD = 66.5
  
  tg51_6x = tg51.TG51Photon(
      unit='TrueBeam1',
      chamber=CHAMBER,
      temp=TEMP, press=PRESS,
      n_dw=ND_w, p_elec=P_ELEC,
      measured_pdd10=66.4, lead_foil=None,
      clinical_pdd10=66.5, energy=ENERGY,
      voltage_reference=-300, voltage_reduced=-150,
      m_reference=(25.65, 25.66, 25.65),
      m_opposite=(25.64, 25.65, 25.65),
      m_reduced=(25.64, 25.63, 25.63),
      mu=MU, tissue_correction=1.0
  )
  
  # Done!
  print(tg51_6x.dose_mu_dmax)
  
  # examine other parameters
  print(tg51_6x.pddx)
  print(tg51_6x.kq)
  print(tg51_6x.p_ion)
  
  # change readings if you adjust output
  tg51_6x.m_reference_adjusted = (25.44, 25.44, 25.43)
  # print new dose value
  print(tg51_6x.dose_mu_dmax_adjusted)
  
  # generate a PDF for record-keeping
  tg51_6x.publish_pdf('TB1 6MV TG-51.pdf', notes=['My notes', 'I used Pylinac to do this; so easy!'], open_file=False)
  
  # TRS-398 is very similar and just as easy!

• Planar Phantom Analysis (Leeds TOR, StandardImaging QC-3, Las Vegas, Doselab MC2 (kV & MV)) -

  The planar imaging module analyzes 2D phantoms. Currently the LeedsTOR kV phantom, Standard Imaging QC-3 MV phantom, and Las Vegas phantom are supported, and more phantoms are in the works!

  Features:

  • Automatic phantom localization - Set up your phantom any way you like; automatic positioning, angle, and inversion correction mean you can set up how you like, nor will setup variations give you headache.
  • High and low contrast determination - Analyze both low and high contrast ROIs. Set thresholds as you see fit.

  Example script:

  from pylinac import LeedsTOR, StandardImagingQC3, LasVegas
  
  leeds = LeedsTOR("my_leeds.dcm")
  leeds.analyze()
  leeds.plot_analyzed_image()
  leeds.publish_pdf()
  
  qc3 = StandardImagingQC3("my_qc3.dcm")
  qc3.analyze()
  qc3.plot_analyzed_image()
  qc3.publish_pdf('qc3.pdf')
  
  lv = LasVegas("my_lv.dcm")
  lv.analyze()
  lv.plot_analyzed_image()
  lv.publish_pdf('lv.pdf', open_file=True)  # open the PDF after publishing

• Winston-Lutz Analysis -

  The Winston-Lutz module analyzes EPID images taken of a small radiation field and BB to determine the 2D distance from BB to field CAX. Additionally, the isocenter size of the gantry, collimator, and couch can all be determined without the BB being at isocenter. Analysis is based on Winkler et al , Du et al, and Low et al.

  Features:

  • Couch shift instructions - After running a WL test, get immediate feedback on how to shift the couch. Couch values can also be passed in and the new couch values will be presented so you don't have to do that pesky conversion. "Do I subtract that number or add it?"
  • Automatic field & BB positioning - When an image or directory is loaded, the field CAX and the BB are automatically found, along with the vector and scalar distance between them.
  • Isocenter size determination - Using backprojections of the EPID images, the 3D gantry isocenter size and position can be determined independent of the BB position. Additionally, the 2D planar isocenter size of the collimator and couch can also be determined.
  • Image plotting - WL images can be plotted separately or together, each of which shows the field CAX, BB and scalar distance from BB to CAX.
  • Axis deviation plots - Plot the variation of the gantry, collimator, couch, and EPID in each plane as well as RMS variation.
  • File name interpretation - Rename DICOM filenames to include axis information for linacs that don't include such information in the DICOM tags. E.g. "myWL_gantry45_coll0_couch315.dcm".

  Example script:

  from pylinac import WinstonLutz
  
  wl = WinstonLutz("wl/image/directory")  # images are analyzed upon loading
  wl.plot_summary()
  print(wl.results())
  wl.publish_pdf('my_wl.pdf')

• Starshot Analysis -

  The Starshot module analyses a starshot image made of radiation spokes, whether gantry, collimator, MLC or couch. It is based on ideas from Depuydt et al and Gonzalez et al.

  Features:

  • Analyze scanned film images, single EPID images, or a set of EPID images - Any image that you can load in can be analyzed, including 1 or a set of EPID DICOM images and films that have been digitally scanned.
  • Any image size - Have machines with different EPIDs? Scanned your film at different resolutions? No problem.
  • Dose/OD can be inverted - Whether your device/image views dose as an increase in value or a decrease, pylinac will detect it and invert if necessary.
  • Automatic noise detection & correction - Sometimes there's dirt on the scanned film; sometimes there's a dead pixel on the EPID. Pylinac will detect these spurious noise signals and can avoid or account for them.
  • Accurate, FWHM star line detection - Pylinac uses not simply the maximum value to find the center of a star line, but analyzes the entire star profile to determine the center of the FWHM, ensuring small noise or maximum value bias is avoided.
  • Adaptive searching - If you passed pylinac a set of parameters and a good result wasn't found, pylinac can recover and do an adaptive search by adjusting parameters to find a "reasonable" wobble.

  Example script:

  from pylinac import Starshot
  
  star = Starshot("mystarshot.tif")
  star.analyze(radius=0.75, tolerance=1.0, fwhm=True)
  print(star.results())  # prints out wobble information
  star.plot_analyzed_image()  # shows a matplotlib figure
  star.publish_pdf()  # publish a PDF report

• VMAT QA -

  The VMAT module consists of two classes: DRGS and DRMLC, which are capable of loading an EPID DICOM Open field image and MLC field image and analyzing the images according to the Varian RapidArc QA tests and procedures, specifically the Dose-Rate & Gantry-Speed (DRGS) and MLC speed (MLCS) tests.

  Features:

  • Do both tests - Pylinac can handle either DRGS or DRMLC tests.
  • Adjust for offsets - Older VMAT patterns were off-center. Pylinac will find the field regardless.

  Example script:

  from pylinac import DRGS, DRMLC
  
  drgs = DRGS(image_paths=["path/to/DRGSopen.dcm", "path/to/DRGSdmlc.dcm"])
  drgs.analyze(tolerance=1.5)
  print(drgs.results())  # prints out ROI information
  drgs.plot_analyzed_image()  # shows a matplotlib figure
  drgs.publish_pdf('mydrgs.pdf')  # generate a PDF report

• CT & CBCT QA -

  The CBCT module automatically analyzes DICOM images of a CatPhan 504, 503, or 600 acquired when doing CT or CBCT quality assurance. It can load a folder or zip file that the images are in and automatically correct for phantom setup in 6 axes. It can analyze the HU regions and image scaling (CTP404), the high-contrast line pairs (CTP528) to calculate the modulation transfer function (MTF), and the HU uniformity (CTP486) on the corresponding slice.

  Features:

  • Automatic phantom registration - Your phantom can be tilted, rotated, or translated--pylinac will register the phantom.
  • Automatic testing of all major modules - Major modules are automatically registered and analyzed.
  • Any scan protocol - Scan your CatPhan with any protocol; or even scan it in a regular CT scanner. Any field size or field extent is allowed.

  Example script:

  from pylinac import CatPhan504, CatPhan503, CatPhan600, CatPhan604
  
  # for this example, we'll use the CatPhan504
  cbct = CatPhan504("my/cbct_image_folder")
  cbct.analyze(hu_tolerance=40, scaling_tolerance=1, thickness_tolerance=0.2, low_contrast_threshold=1)
  print(cbct.results())
  cbct.plot_analyzed_image()
  cbct.publish_pdf('mycbct.pdf')

• Log Analysis -

  The log analyzer module reads and parses Varian linear accelerator machine logs, both Dynalogs and Trajectory logs. The module also calculates actual and expected fluences as well as performing gamma evaluations. Data is structured to be easily accessible and easily plottable.

  Unlike most other modules of pylinac, the log analyzer module has no end goal. Data is parsed from the logs, but what is done with that info, and which info is analyzed is up to the user.

  Features:

  • Analyze Dynalogs or Trajectory logs - Either platform is supported. Tlog versions 2.1 and 3.0 supported.
  • Save Trajectory log data to CSV - The Trajectory log binary data format does not allow for easy export of data. Pylinac lets you do that so you can use Excel or other software that you use with Dynalogs.
  • Plot or analyze any axis - Every data axis can be plotted: the actual, expected, and even the difference.
  • View actual or expected fluences & calculate gamma - View fluences and gamma maps for any log.
  • Anonymization - Anonymize your logs so you can share them with others.

  Example script:

  from pylinac import load_log
  
  tlog = load_log("tlog.bin")
  # after loading, explore any Axis of the Varian structure
  tlog.axis_data.gantry.plot_actual()  # plot the gantry position throughout treatment
  tlog.fluence.gamma.calc_map(doseTA=1, distTA=1, threshold=10, resolution=0.1)
  tlog.fluence.gamma.plot_map()  # show the gamma map as a matplotlib figure
  tlog.publish_pdf()  # publish a PDF report
  
  dlog = load_log("dynalog.dlg")
  ...

• Picket Fence MLC Analysis -

  The picket fence module is meant for analyzing EPID images where a "picket fence" MLC pattern has been made. Physicists regularly check MLC positioning through this test. This test can be done using film and one can "eyeball" it, but this is the 21st century and we have numerous ways of quantifying such data. This module attains to be one of them. It will load in an EPID dicom image and determine the MLC peaks, error of each MLC pair to the picket, and give a few visual indicators for passing/warning/failing.

  Features:

  • Analyze either HD or regular MLCs - Just pass a flag and tell pylinac whether it's HD or not.
  • Easy-to-read pass/warn/fail overlay - Analysis gives you easy-to-read tools for determining the status of an MLC pair.
  • Any Source-to-Image distance - Whatever your clinic uses as the SID for picket fence, pylinac can account for it.
  • Account for panel translation - Have an off-CAX setup? No problem. Translate your EPID and pylinac knows.
  • Account for panel sag - If your EPID sags at certain angles, just tell pylinac and the results will be shifted.

  Example script:

  from pylinac import PicketFence
  
  pf = PicketFence("mypf.dcm")
  pf.analyze(tolerance=0.5, action_tolerance=0.25)
  print(pf.results())
  pf.plot_analyzed_image()
  pf.publish_pdf()

• Flatness & Symmetry Analysis -

  Flatness & symmetry from a digital image such as EPID DICOM can easily by analyzed. The module contains built-in F&S equation definitions but is extensible to quickly create custom F&S equations.

  Features:

  • Analyze any digital image - JPG, TIFF, DICOM are all valid inputs.
  • Built-in F&S equations - The common Elekta and Varian defintions are included
  • Extensible F&S equations - Adding custom equations for F&S is straightforward

  Example script:

  from pylinac import FlatSym
  
  fs = FlatSym(path="myFS.dcm")
  fs.analyze(flatness_method='varian', symmetry_method='varian', vert_position=0.5, horiz_position=0.5)
  # print results
  print(fs.results())
  # publish a PDF file
  fs.publish_pdf(filename='myFS.pdf')

Have questions? Ask them on the pylinac discussion forum.

Contributions to pylinac can be many. The most useful things a non-programmer can contribute are images to analyze and bug reports. If you have VMAT images, starshot images, machine log files, CBCT DICOM files, or anything else you want analyzed, upload them privately here.