Characterization of the essential dosimetric properties of cosolvent-free polymer gel dosimeters: Recent progress in x-ray CT based normoxic polymer gel dosimetry

Abstract

This work evaluates the temporal stability, spatial stability, batch reproducibility and dose rate dependence of a new cosolvent-free polymer gel dosimeter optimized for use with x-ray computed tomography readout. Temporal and spatial stability investigations reveal the new gel formulation should be imaged between 15-36 hours after irradiation. Intra- and inter-batch reproducibility were found to be excellent over the entire range of doses examined. A dose rate dependence was found for gels irradiated with machine dose rates between 100-600MU/min. An intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment validation is also presented to illustrate an example clinical application using the new gel formulation.