Response of 2-Hydroxymethyl Methacrylate Polymer Gel Dosimeter with Maltose Additive for Radiation within Diagnostic X-Ray Energies

Abstract

The use of polymer gel dosimeters (PGD) in x-ray radiography has not yet been confirmed. However, if it could be applied, it could help to improve patient dosimetry, dose optimization, and quality assurance through its three-dimensional (3D) image display. This research aimed to evaluate the response of a 2-hydroxymethyl methacrylate (HEMA) polymer gel dosimeter at lower energies for possible use in diagnostic x-ray radiography and to determine the effect of maltose concentrations on the sensitivity. The dosimeter was made under normoxic conditions using Gelatin, HEMA, N, N’- Methylene – bis – acrylamide (BIS), Ascorbic Acid, deionized water, and maltose of various concentrations (10 – 50 mM). The PGDs were then irradiated using a conventional x-ray machine with exposure settings ranging from 10-200 mA, 40-100 kV, and s = 1 s. Afterward, the irradiated dosimeters were scanned using UV-spectroscopy. The result showed that the dosimeters responded to low-energy x-rays, and the effect of the maltose concentration within the tested range was not linear with the sensitivity. We concluded that the HEMA polymer gel dosimeter could be used for clinical x-ray dosimetry, but further research on the effect of maltose concentrations on the sensitivity is needed.