Real-time Dosimeter Research Articles

A SiPM based real time dosimeter for radiotherapic beams

This paper describes the development of a scintillator dosimeter prototype for radiotherapic applications based on plastic scintillating fibers readout by Silicon PhotoMultipliers. The dosimeter, whose probes are water equivalent, could be used for quality control measurements, beam characterization and in vivo dosimetry, allowing a real time measurement of the dose spatial distribution. This paper describes the preliminary percentual depth dose scan performed with clinical 6 and 18MV photon beams, comparing the results with a reference curve. The measurements were performed using a Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator at the Radiotherapy Department of the St. Anna Hospital in Como (IT). The prototype has given promising results, allowing real time measurements of relative dose without applying any correction factors.

Measurement of bow tie profiles in CT scanners using a real-time dosimeter.

Several areas of computed tomography (CT) research require knowledge about the intensity profile of the x-ray fan beam that is introduced by a bow tie filter. This information is considered proprietary by CT manufacturers, so noninvasive measurement methods are required. One method using real-time dosimeters has been proposed in the literature. A commercially available dosimeter was used to apply that method, and analysis techniques were developed to extract fan beam profiles from measurements. A real-time ion chamber was placed near the periphery of an empty CT gantry and the dose rate versus time waveform was recorded as the x-ray source rotated about the isocenter. In contrast to previously proposed analysis methods that assumed a pointlike detector, the finite-size ion chamber received varying amounts of coverage by the collimated x-ray beam during rotation, precluding a simple relationship between the source intensity as a function of fan beam angle and measured intensity. A two-parameter model for measurement intensity was developed that included both effective collimation width and source-to-detector distance, which then was iteratively solved to minimize the error between duplicate measurements at corresponding fan beam angles, allowing determination of the fan beam profile from measured dose-rate waveforms. Measurements were performed on five different scanner systems while varying parameters such as collimation, kVp, and bow tie filters. On one system, direct measurements of the bow tie profile were collected for comparison with the real-time dosimeter technique. The data analysis method for a finite-size detector was found to produce a fan beam profile estimate with a relative error between duplicate measurement intensities of <5%. It was robust over a wide range of collimation widths (e.g., 1-40 mm), producing fan beam profiles that agreed with a relative error of 1%-5%. Comparison with a direct measurement technique on one system produced agreement with a relative error of 2%-6%. Fan beam profiles were found to differ for different filter types on a given system and between different vendors. A commercially available real-time dosimeter probe was found to be a convenient and accurate instrument for measuring fan beam profiles. An analysis method was developed that could handle a wide range of collimation widths by explicitly considering the finite width of the ion chamber. Relative errors in the profiles were found to be less than 5%. Measurements of five different clinical scanners demonstrate the variation in bow tie designs, indicating that generic bow tie models will not be adequate for CT system research.

Synthesis of LiMgPO4:Eu,Sm,B phosphors and investigation of their optically stimulated luminescence properties

LiMgPO4:Eu,Sm,B phosphors were synthesized using a solid-state diffusion synthesis method. Their optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties for real-time dosimetry were investigated, including thermoluminescence (TL), OSL emission spectrum, OSL dose response, OSL stimulation time and the reproducibility of the OSL signal. The LiMgPO4:Eu,Sm,B phosphors exhibited high sensitivity to ionizing radiation, excellent signal stability for the tested period (up to 12 cycles) and a broad range of linear dose response (>0.1–540 Gy). The excellent luminescent and dosimetric properties of these LiMgPO4:Eu,Sm,B phosphors make them promising candidates for real-time dosimeters with increased therapeutic efficacy and minimal toxicity.

TH-C-17A-08: Monte Carlo Based Design of Efficient Scintillating Fiber Dosimeters

Purpose: To accurately predict Cherenkov radiation generation in scintillating fiber dosimeters. Quantifying Cherenkov radiation provides a method for optimizing fiber dimensions, orientation, optical filters, and photodiode spectral sensitivity to achieve efficient real time imaging dosimeter designs. Methods: We develop in-house Monte Carlo simulation software to model polymer scintillation fibers' fluorescence and Cherenkov emission in megavoltage clinical beams. The model computes emissions using generation probabilities, wavelength sampling, fiber photon capture, and fiber transport efficiency and incorporates the fiber's index of refraction, optical attenuation in the Cherenkov and visible spectrum and fiber dimensions. Detector component selection based on parameters such as silicon photomultiplier efficiency and optical coupling filters separates Cherenkov radiation from the dose-proportional scintillating emissions. The computation uses spectral and geometrical separation of Cherenkov radiation, however other filtering techniques can expand the model. Results: We compute Cherenkov generation per electron and fiber capture and transmission of those photons toward the detector with incident electron beam angle dependence. The model accounts for beam obliquity and nonperpendicular electron fiber impingement, which increases Cherenkov emission and trapping. The rotational angle around square fibers shows trapping efficiency variation from the normally incident minimum to a maximum at 45 degrees rotation. For rotation in the plane formed by the fiber axis and its surface normal, trapping efficiency increases with angle from the normal. The Cherenkov spectrum follows the theoretical curve from 300nm to 800nm, the wavelength range of interest defined by silicon photomultiplier and photodiode spectral efficiency. Conclusion: We are able to compute Cherenkov generation in realistic real time scintillating fiber dosimeter geometries. Design parameters incorporate fiber dimensions, orientations, several types of detector spectral response, optical coupling filters and light transport. We can vary these parameters to design and optimize high efficiency real time dosimeters capable of enhancing external beam patient safety and treatment accuracy. This research was supported in part by a GAANN Fellowship from the Department of Education.

TU‐F‐BRE‐01: A High Resolution Micro Fiber Scintillator Detector Optimized for SRS and SBRT in Vivo Real Time Treatment Verification

Purpose:We have built a high resolution real time scintillating fiber detector prototype to determine in real time the accuracy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatments when only a fraction of the planned dose was delivered. The motivation of this work is to enhance dose delivery accuracy and to achieve error free radiosurgery.Methods:A high density array of scintillating fibers and a high speed photo detectors array were integrated to implement a high resolution real time dosimeter that can sample with high resolution pulsed SRS and SBRT beams cross sections. The high efficiency of the developed system allows to read each linac pulse in real time and to compute the accumulated dose and dose errors when only a fraction of the beam was delivered. The fibers are highly packed in a substrate that is directly coupled to two 128 pixel arrays with a pitch matching the fiber spacing to achieve accurate spatial localization. The small cross section of the fiber array allows stacking multiple fiber arrays to measure independent angular profiles that are digitally processed in parallel for real time dosimetry.Results:We implemented a high density array detector prototype with a pitch of 0.5 mm, readout speed of 1.2 msec, and a response time of 0.5 usec. The fast reading speed has the capability to determining the dose in flattening free filter beams. The detector can be installed in transmission mode at the output port of a micro‐MLC. Treatment deviations smaller than 3% are detected when less than 1/100 of the planned dose was delivered.Conclusions:We built a prototype of a high resolution fiber scintillator array detector for SRS and SBRT in vivo dosimetry. Results show that the developed detector has the potential to assure error free SRS and SBRT treatments.

Performance of CMOS imager as sensing element for a Real-time Active Pixel Dosimeter for Interventional Radiology procedures

Staff members applying Interventional Radiology procedures are exposed to ionizing radiation, which can induce detrimental effects to the human body, and requires an improvement of radiation protection. This paper is focused on the study of the sensor element for a wireless real-time dosimeter to be worn by the medical staff during the interventional radiology procedures, in the framework of the Real-Time Active PIxel Dosimetry (RAPID) INFN project. We characterize a CMOS imager to be used as detection element for the photons scattered by the patient body. The CMOS imager has been first characterized in laboratory using fluorescence X-ray sources, then a PMMA phantom has been used to diffuse the X-ray photons from an angiography system. Different operating conditions have been used to test the detector response in realistic situations, by varying the X-ray tube parameters (continuous/pulsed mode, tube voltage and current, pulse parameters), the sensor parameters (gain, integration time) and the relative distance between sensor and phantom. The sensor response has been compared with measurements performed using passive dosimeters (TLD) and also with a certified beam, in an accredited calibration centre, in order to obtain an absolute calibration. The results are very encouraging, with dose and dose rate measurement uncertainties below the 10% level even for the most demanding Interventional Radiology protocols.

Real-time dosimeter employed to evaluate the half-value layer in CT

Half-value layer (HVL) measurements on commercial whole body computer tomography (CT) scanners require serial measurements and, in many institutions, the presence of a service engineer. An assembly of aluminum filters (AAF), designed to be used in conjunction with a real-time dosimeter, was developed to provide estimates of the HVL using clinical protocols. Two real-time dose probes, a solid-state and air ionization chamber, were examined. The AAF consisted of eight rectangular filters of high-purity aluminum (Type 1100), symmetrically positioned to form a cylindrical ‘cage’ around the probe's detective volume. The incident x-ray beam was attenuated by varying thicknesses of aluminum filters as the gantry completed a minimum of one rotation. Measurements employing real-time chambers were conducted both in service mode and with a routine abdomen/pelvis protocol for several combinations of x-ray tube potentials and bow tie filters. These measurements were validated against conventional serial HVL measurements. The average relative difference between the HVL measurements using the two methods was less than 5% when using a 122 mm diameter AAF; relative differences were reduced to 1.1% when the diameter was increased to 505 mm, possibly due to reduced scatter contamination. Use of a real-time dose probe and the AAF allowed for time-efficient measurements of beam quality on a clinical CT scanner using clinical protocols.

Synthesis and luminescence in LiMgPO4:Tb,Sm,B phosphors with possible applications in real-time dosimetry

The objective of this work was to develop possible materials for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetric applications in real-time measurement. A novel material of LiMgPO4:Tb,Sm,B was prepared by solid-state diffusion method at 900 °C. The structure and optical properties of these phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fluorescence spectrophotometer, and OSL reader. The results showed that the full discrimination between the stimulation and emission spectra made them very fit for the optic-fibre dosimetry. The OSL vs. dose response was linear in the dose range of 0.1 to 216 Gy. It also showed a significant improvement in the stimulation time compared with LiMgPO4:Tb,B. Hence, the phosphor could be used in the real-time dosimeter based on the OSL technology for medical monitoring as well as for environmental dosimetry and space dosimetry.

Polymer Scintillator Detector for Real-time Proton Beam Quality Assurance

Polymer Scintillator Detector for Real-time Proton Beam Quality Assurance

CdWO4-on-MEH-PPV:PS as a candidate for real-time dosimeters

We report on the investigations about the modification of optical properties induced by X-rays onto film detectors of cadmium tungstate (CdWO4), poly[2-methoxy-5(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and polystyrene (PS) This device takes advantage of reduction of spectral overlap between the radioluminescence (RL) of CdWO4 and the absorption of MEH-PPV as it is exposed to radiation, forming the basis of a new dosimeter that is capable of converting the orange-red radioluminescence of PS:MEH-PPV:CdWO4 into green. We propose an explanation of the optical processes occurring in MEH-PPV:CdWO4 in terms of the radiation hardness of CdWO4 combined to the RL-induced degradation of MEH-PPV.

X-Tream: a novel dosimetry system for Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy

Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is a radiation treatment technique under development for inoperable brain tumors. MRT is based on the use of a synchrotron generated X-ray beam with an extremely high dose rate ( ∼ 20 kGy/sec), striated into an array of X-ray micro-blades. In order to advance to clinical trials, a real-time dosimeter with excellent spatial resolution must be developed for absolute dosimetry. The design of a real-time dosimeter for such a radiation scenario represents a significant challenge due to the high photon flux and vertically striated radiation field, leading to very steep lateral dose gradients. This article analyses the striated radiation field in the context of the requirements for temporal dosimetric measurements and presents the architecture of a new dosimetry system based on the use of silicon detectors and fast data acquisition electronic interface. The combined system demonstrates micrometer spatial resolution and microsecond real time readout with accurate sensitivity and linearity over five orders of magnitude of input signal. The system will therefore be suitable patient treatment plan verification and may also be expanded for in-vivo beam monitoring for patient safety during the treatment.

Small field diode correction factors derived using an air core fibre optic scintillation dosimeter and EBT2 film

There is no commercially available real-time dosimeter that can accurately measure output factors for field sizes down to 4 mm without the use of correction factors. Silicon diode detectors are commonly used but are not dosimetrically water equivalent, resulting in energy dependence and fluence perturbation. In contrast, plastic scintillators are nearly dosimetrically water equivalent. A fibre optic dosimeter (FOD) with a 0.8 mm3 plastic scintillator coupled to an air core light guide was used to measure the output factors for Novalis/BrainLab stereotactic cones of diameter 4–30 mm and Novalis MLC fields of width 5–100 mm. The FOD data matched the output factors measured by a 0.125 cm3 Semiflex ion chamber for the MLC fields above 30 mm and those measured with the EBT2 radiochromic film for the cones and MLC fields below 30 mm. Relative detector readings were obtained with four diode types (IBA SFD, EFD, PFD, PTW 60012) for the same fields. Empirical diode correction factors were determined by taking the ratio of FOD output factors to diode relative detector readings. The diodes were found to over-respond by 3%–16% for the smallest field. There was good agreement between different diodes of the same model number.

Characterization of new materials for fiberoptic dosimetry

In this work we have investigated the radioluminescence (RL) characteristics of three materials (Mg2SiO4:Tb, CsY2F7:Tb and KMgF3:Sm) in order to determine whether they can be used as real time dosimeters in the the framework the fiberoptic dosimetry (FOD) technique. This technique is based on the use of scintillating materials coupled to the end of an optical fiber, which collects the light emitted by the scintillator during irradiation. Since usually the intensity of the emitted light is proportional to the dose-rate, the technique provides a reliable measuring method, which can be employed in radiotherapy treatments.

A real time active pixel dosimeter for interventional radiology

Abstract The Interventional Radiology (IR) is a well established technique in medical domain aiming to obtain a good X-ray image quality while minimizing the radiation dose absorbed by patients and staff members. From a radioprotection point of view, these procedures are considered potentially harmful for interventional radiologists and medical staff. Individual monitoring of operators is very important and is performed by assessing effective dose, equivalent dose to the extremities and eye lens, with the use of passive dosimeters (e.g. TLDs) calibrated in terms of personal dose equivalent H p (10), H p (0.07) and H p (3), respectively. In this work we will present a proposal for an innovative X-ray dosimeter prototype, capable of real-time measurements, packaged in a small form-factor, with wireless communication to be used for individual operators dosimetry during IR procedures. The proposed real-time dosimeter relies on CMOS Active Pixel Sensor, widely used in visible imaging applications. Some preliminary results on the characterization of CMOS active pixel sensors as diffused X-ray detectors during a typical IR session will be presented.

SU‐E‐J‐74: A Dosimeter for In Vivo Real Time Verification of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Purpose: To study the feasibility of implementing a low cost, high speed in vivo real time dosimeter based on scintillating fiber arrays to verify intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to enhance treatment safety and delivered dose verification. Methods: Detector construction is performed by mounting linear scintillating fiber sensors in a water equivalent plastic support to form a homogenous water equivalent array. The fibers are aligned to match each MLC leaf pair and the detector is placed in the accessory tray of a clinical LINAC for beam output determination. Each fiber is coupled to a high speed photodetector and front end amplifier to process the detector output which is digitized and analyzed using in house developed software to compute the beam fluence, dose rate, and MLC opening. Results: The detector response correlates linearly with the LINAC beam intensity and MLC positions. The sensor and front end amplifier has a time response of 0.2 usec, thus every 2 usec LINAC pulse is recorded to determine the beam fluence with a precision better than 1%. The array offers a minimum beam attenuation of 2.4%, allowing the use of this technology as an in vivo transmission detector. We determined that the detector is capable of measuring the MLC opening with a precision of 2 mm per leaf. Conclusions: We have proven the feasibility of constructing a scintillating fiber sensor array for in vivo real time dosimetry to enhance patient safety during IMRT treatment and measure actual dose delivered to the patient. The technical highlight of this detector is based on the high speed of the linear sensors and front end amplifier which allows real time verification of the IMRT fluence output, dose rate, and leaf opening with a minimum of perturbation or absorption of the delivered beam.

Experimental validation of a method characterizing bow tie filters in CT scanners using a real‐time dose probe

Beam-shaping or "bow tie" (BT) filters are used to spatially modulate the x-ray beam in a CT scanner, but the conventional method of step-and-shoot measurement to characterize a beam's profile is tedious and time-consuming. The theory for characterization of bow tie relative attenuation (COBRA) method, which relies on a real-time dosimeter to address the issues of conventional measurement techniques, was previously demonstrated using computer simulations. In this study the feasibility of the COBRA theory is further validated experimentally through the employment of a prototype real-time radiation meter and a known BT filter. The COBRA method consisted of four basic steps: (1) The probe was placed at the edge of a scanner's field of view; (2) a real-time signal train was collected as the scanner's gantry rotated with the x-ray beam on; (3) the signal train, without a BT filter, was modeled using peak values measured in the signal train of step 2; and (4) the relative attenuation of the BT filter was estimated from filtered and unfiltered data sets. The prototype probe was first verified to have an isotropic and linear response to incident x-rays. The COBRA method was then tested on a dedicated breast CT scanner with a custom-designed BT filter and compared to the conventional step-and-shoot characterization of the BT filter. Using basis decomposition of dual energy signal data, the thickness of the filter was estimated and compared to the BT filter's manufacturing specifications. The COBRA method was also demonstrated with a clinical whole body CT scanner using the body BT filter. The relative attenuation was calculated at four discrete x-ray tube potentials and used to estimate the thickness of the BT filter. The prototype probe was found to have a linear and isotropic response to x-rays. The relative attenuation produced from the COBRA method fell within the error of the relative attenuation measured with the step-and-shoot method. The BT filter thickness estimates resulting from the dual energy scans on the breast CT system were equivalent to the manufacturing specifications. The clinical CT evaluation produced data conceptually similar to previous computer simulations and plausible relative attenuation profiles were observed. The COBRA method is a fast and accurate method for BT filter characterization, which requires a simple experimental setup in a clinical environment. Because of the ease of data acquisition, multienergy scans can be acquired which allow characterization of the BT filter thickness.

Evaluation of a real-time semiconductor dosimeter and measurement of finger dose in nuclear medicine departments

In this study, the nuclear medicine staff wore one finger dosimeter placed at the base of the index finger of the working hand. When a physician injected radioisotope drugs, the finger dose was 22.4 microSv, that for radiological technologists handling (99m)Tc was 29.6 microSv/day (consultation period 20 days), that for a physician injecting (18)F-FDG-PET drugs was 51.3 microSv (right finger 53.9 microSv, left finger 47.2 microSv), that for pharmacists' assay of FDG was 31.5 microSv, and that for radiological technologists positioning patients was 1.9 microSv. The largest value (94.1 microSv) was observed in physicians in the case of aspiration of a delivered drug. The finger dosimeter provides an effective solution for radiation protection procedures and follow-up. All the above staff members are on rotation and do not constantly handle radioactivity throughout the year.

Urethral Alarm Probe for Permanent Prostate Implants

We have developed a urethral dosimetry system for real time dose verification along the urethra during permanent implant prostate brachytherapy. The urethral alarm probe uses “spectroscopic dosimetry” to calculate the dose rate along the urethra in real time. The application of spectroscopic dosimetry for the urethral alarm probe was verified using Monte Carlo calculations. In phantom depth dose measurements as well as isotropy measurements were performed to verify the usefulness of the urethra alarm probe as an in vivo real time dosimeter.

CT Dosimetry: Comparison of Measurement Techniques and Devices

In x-ray computed tomography (CT), the most common parameter used to estimate and minimize patient dose is the CT dose index (CTDI). The CTDI is a volume-averaged measure that is used in situations where the table is incremented in conjunction with the tube rotation. Variants of the CTDI correct for averaging across the field of view and for adjacent beam overlaps or gaps. CTDI is usually measured with a pencil-shaped ionization chamber, although methods have been developed that use alternative detectors, including an optically stimulated luminescence probe and a solid-state real-time dosimeter. Because the CTDI represents an averaged dose to a homogeneous cylindrical phantom, the measurements are only an approximation of the patient dose. Furthermore, dose from interventional or perfusion CT, in which the table remains stationary between multiple scans, is best evaluated with point dose measurements made with small detectors. CTDI and point dose values are nearly the same for measurement of surface dose from spiral CT. However, for measurement of surface dose from perfusion CT, the dose is overestimated by a factor of two or more with CTDI values in comparison with point dose values. Both CTDI and point dose measurement are valuable for evaluating CT scanner output and estimating patient dose.

Pulsed diode laser-based singlet oxygen monitor for photodynamic therapy: in vivo studies of tumor-laden rats

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment that involves optical excitation of photosensitizers that promote oxygen molecules to the metastable O(2)(a(1)Delta) state (singlet oxygen). This species is believed to be responsible for the destruction of cancerous cells during PDT. We describe a fiber optic-coupled, pulsed diode laser-based diagnostic for singlet oxygen. We use both temporal and spectral filtering to enhance the detection of the weak O(2)(a-->X) emission near 1.27 microm. We present data that demonstrate real-time singlet oxygen production in tumor-laden rats with chlorin e6 and 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin photosensitizers. We also observe a positive correlation between post-PDT treatment regression of the tumors and the relative amount of singlet oxygen measured. These results are promising for the development of the sensor as a real-time dosimeter for PDT.