What can a 60-degree wedge be combined with to produce a wedge of any angle less than 60°?

Combining a 60-degree wedge with an open beam is a technique used to achieve a wedge effect at any angle less than 60 degrees. When you use an open beam in conjunction with the 60-degree wedge, the two components interact in a way that allows you to adjust the effective dose distribution. The open beam contributes to the intensity and shape of the radiation distribution by reducing the overall dose delivered in areas where the wedge would typically increase it.

This combination is particularly useful in treatment planning, as it allows for greater flexibility in tailoring the radiation dose to meet the specific needs of the treatment area while avoiding overexposure in adjacent regions. The capability to produce a wedge effect at angles less than 60 degrees enhances the ability to conform to the tumor shape and protect healthy tissues, ultimately improving treatment outcomes.

Other options, like a blocked beam, custom blocks, or high dose rate brachytherapy sources, do not provide the same level of adaptability for achieving the desired wedge angles in the same way as an open beam does. Each of these alternatives has its own applications but would not facilitate the combination required to create angles less than 60 degrees when coupled with a 60-degree wedge.