NCIRF Release History

Chronological technical record of NCIRF releases, calculation updates, maintenance changes, and compatibility notes.

NCIRF Release History

Scientific and maintenance update record for the National Cancer Institute dosimetry system for Radiography and Fluoroscopy.

Latest release: September 10, 2026 Latest scientific update: September 10, 2026 Record begins: 2022

2026

September 10, 2026 — Scientific Update

Scientific changes

GUI
  • Introduced an integrated custom x-ray spectrum generator powered by SpekPy 2.5.4 through the NCI-hosted SpekPy service. It supports W, Mo, and Rh targets; Internet access is required only when generating a new spectrum, while spectra already added or imported remain available offline.
  • Added target-specific tube settings: W from 20–125 kVp using spekcalc, casim, or spekpy-v1, and Mo or Rh from 20–50 kVp using casim, with a user-selectable anode angle.
  • Added an ordered multi-filter editor with 12 available filter materials: Al, Cu, Sn, Be, Air, Mo, Rh, Ag, Ti, Er, Gd, and Pb. Multiple filters can be combined and are applied in the displayed order.
  • Added a normalized spectrum preview, optional matching to a specified Al HVL, and validation of spectrum names, target/model combinations, tube potential, filtration, service version, and returned energy data.
  • Converted each generated spectrum onto NCIRF's fixed 62-value energy grid for use with the existing Monte Carlo source definition and DAP-normalization workflow.
  • Added persistent named custom spectra, portable .ncirfspc import/export, and self-contained Batch packages that save and reload companion spectrum files while retaining legacy .spc compatibility.
API
  • Added registered custom spectra for vendor- and protocol-specific beam modeling in reference, size-dependent, and pregnant phantom calculations. Vendors can generate a spectrum in the GUI, export its .ncirfspc file, and submit it to the NCI Dose Tools administrator for server-side registration.
  • Added authenticated GET /spectra to list the 114 built-in spectra and custom spectra registered for the requesting company, with stable IDs, kVp, HVL, and available target, filtration, and generator metadata. Vendors can review this catalog before requesting additional beams.
  • Added SpectrumID selection in POST /param, allowing equipment/protocol mappings to reuse a registered beam without resending SpekPy parameters or spectrum files for each calculation. Existing kVp/HVL-only requests continue to use the built-in library.
  • Applied the GUI's spectrum-file validation, fixed 62-value energy grid, and DAP-normalization workflow to registered custom beams. Dose requests use the stored spectrum; the API does not generate spectra online or accept client-supplied server file paths.
  • Added matched.spectrum metadata to dose results for beam traceability while retaining the existing flat spectrum fields. Custom IDs are protected against reuse with changed beam content; changing a registered beam requires a new ID. Unknown or unauthorized IDs are rejected without silently substituting a built-in spectrum.

Corrections and maintenance changes

  • macOS and Windows correction: Fixed x-ray spectrum sampling when energy bins have zero weight, preserving the intended energy distribution. The previous engine could overestimate some organ doses, particularly for low-energy spectra.

  • Added signed and notarized macOS distribution support.

  • Improved decimal-format and Batch CSV compatibility across locales.

  • Corrected spectrum selection and reproducibility issues, including the size-dependent one-row shift, reused SpectrumID conflicts, and unsupported API kVp/HVL matching.

  • Corrected effective dose calculation to avoid weighting the separately reported rectosigmoid dose as colon a second time.

  • Restricted size-dependent phantom matching to the requested age and sex group.

  • Clarified the Fetus interface and improved field-box editing feedback.

May 10, 2026 — Scientific Update

GUI

  • Added detailed pregnant phantoms with fetal models for gestational-age dose evaluation.
  • Expanded the size-dependent phantom library to 362 phantoms.
  • Added a Monte Carlo calculation progress bar with percentage display, a stop button, and Preparing Monte Carlo... status while transport preparation is in progress.
  • Automatically adjusted PSA limits based on SID and phantom size, with PSA support from −90 to 90 degrees.
  • Improved phantom picture resolution and refreshed the size-dependent phantom map with clearer selectable cells and selected-cell highlighting.
  • Added phantom selection by clicking the phantom map.
  • Added field-box movement by dragging inside the box or clicking and dragging the field center.
  • Added field-box resizing in top, frontal, and lateral phantom views by dragging a box edge. The field center remains fixed and the opposite edge changes symmetrically.
  • Field-box edge resizing now updates Field Width and Field Height using the current PPA/PSA projection of the beam-normal field size.
  • Added cursor up/down key support for numeric input fields.
  • Improved calculation and user-interface response through backend optimization.

Batch Manager

  • Added progress percentage display beside the Run checkbox.
  • Updated saved Batch CSV output to include input parameters, completion progress, dose columns, and error columns.
  • Unified reference, size-dependent, and pregnant phantom batch managers into one Batch Manager.
  • Added a unified Phantom Library input for arm-raised, arm-lowered, arm-rotated, size-dependent, and pregnant libraries.
  • Added editable Batch Manager cells with immediate reflection in the main GUI.
  • Added detailed column tooltips on Batch Manager header hover.
  • Added f/m sex input support while retaining compatibility with F/M and 1/2 during CSV loading.
  • Automatically snaps reference-phantom age to the nearest supported reference age.
  • Automatically derives the size-phantom group from age and sex.
  • Automatically matches size-phantom height and weight to the nearest available phantom grid.
  • Added pregnant phantom week input such as 8wk, 10wk, and 15wk.
  • Reflected each completed batch-row result in the main GUI.
  • Removed the output-save prompt at batch-run start.
  • Stores completed batch dose and error results internally and displays them when a completed row is selected.
  • Sending the current GUI setup to Batch Manager preserves completed dose and error results when available, adding the row as 100%; otherwise, the row is added as input only with 0%.
  • Added Run checkbox support with Select All and Deselect All controls.
  • Added CSV save and load with headers.
  • Uses Dose and Error column prefixes in saved Batch CSV output.
  • Saves incomplete rows with 0% progress and blank result fields.
  • Restores saved completed dose and error results during Batch CSV loading.

API

  • Added support for reference, size-dependent, and pregnant phantom libraries through the same API endpoint.
  • Added the NCIRF4 API project for REST-style JSON dose calculations.
  • Added JSON object input through /param using NCIRF4 batch-style keys such as PhtLib, Age, kVp, HVL, SID, DAP, Hist, and Thread.
  • Added JSON output with matched phantom metadata, dose values, and error percentages.
  • Added local REST Client examples in ncirf4api_test.http.

2024

December 17, 2024 — Maintenance Update

Bug fixes

  • Fixed a calculation failure for the first size-specific phantom: female, 85 cm, 10 kg.
  • Resolved Windows packaging issues.
  • Corrected missing thread information in ncirf_batch_input_sizespecific.csv.

December 15, 2024 — Scientific Update

New features

  • Added more than 360 pediatric and adult male and female phantoms covering a wide range of body sizes.
  • Accelerated peak skin dose calculation; stable results are achievable with approximately 10<sup>5</sup> histories using dose-map smoothing.
  • Added patient-table thickness input for explicit Monte Carlo calculations.
  • Added automatic selection of the best-matching x-ray spectrum in Batch Manager.
  • Added numeric patient-age input in Batch Manager as an alternative to age-group selection for reference phantoms.
  • Added in-application links to the user manual and technical support forum (now NCI Dose Tools Discussions).

Bug fixes from the July 18, 2024 beta

  • Corrected the x-ray spectrum selection shift.
  • Fixed missing liver voxel tags for phantoms 2085015, 1145030, and 1175050.
  • Corrected GUI parameter updates when double-clicking a Batch Manager entry.
  • Corrected slight underestimation of active marrow and endosteum doses in abdominal skeletons.
  • Corrected field-height visualization for 15-year-old and adult phantoms.

March 1, 2024 — Scientific Update

  • Corrected GEANT4 simulation of field width and field height.
  • Corrected Monte Carlo particle accounting for generated and collimated particles.

February 8, 2024 — Maintenance Update

  • Added support for batch configurations with HVL formatted as X.X0.
  • Added peak skin dose to batch output.

January 24, 2024 — Scientific Update

  • Implemented peak skin dose calculation using Monte Carlo radiation transport.
  • Added an arms-rotated phantom library to better simulate upper-extremity radiography examinations.

2023

November 16, 2023 — Scientific Update

  • Fixed a hardcoded cone-beam divergence issue.
  • Enabled arm-rotated posture for upper-extremity radiography simulations.

August 12, 2023 — Scientific Update

  • Fixed errors in Batch Manager-based runs.
  • Increased the maximum number of threads to 24.

May 6, 2023 — Maintenance Update

  • Added direct MCNP input-file generation from Batch Manager.
  • Corrected minor visualization issues.

2022

December 14, 2022 — Scientific Update

April 18, 2022 — Scientific Update

  • Corrected simulation handling of custom beam-angle inputs.

March 17, 2022 — Maintenance Update

  • Verified NCIRF operation on Windows virtual machines using Parallels.
  • Fixed GEANT4 path-handling errors on non-English Windows systems.

March 7, 2022 — Scientific Update

  • Added two reference phantom libraries: arms raised and arms lowered.
  • Set the default initial phantom to newborn male.
  • Fixed an error that occurred when no file was selected.