DEPARTMENT OF RADIATION
PHYSICS AND DOSIMETRY - NZ63
Head of the Department: Prof. Paweł Bilski
English   Język polski
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High precision spatial radiation dosimetry based on optically stimulated luminescence


Project FNP Homing/2017-4/38

delivery time in years 2018-2020

Project manager: Michał Sądel

Aim of the project: The purpose of the project is to create a new Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), silicone based dosimeter, which can be used for measuring spatial, two (2D)- or even three-dimensional (3D) complex dose distributions, in modern RT techniques such as proton radiotherapy.


The goal of radiotherapy is to deliver the accurate dose to the treated volume very precisely, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and surroundings organs, in order to optimize curative effect and lowering side effects.


This goal can be realize by using more and more popular modern RT techniques such as proton radiotherapy, where the most of the dose is deposited in a small last fraction of the particle path forming so called Bragg peak. In this way the dose can be deposited to the treated organs very precisely, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and surroundings organs. The number of proton therapy centers all over the world grows each year. Also in Poland in 2011 the proton therapy of eye tumors was started at the IFJ PAN in Cracow making our Institute the first proton therapy centre in Poland and in the central Europe. Currently the new proton facility Cyclotron Centre of Bronowice with two rotating gantries and new horizontal line for eye treatment is operating.
However, modern RT techniques uses spatially modulated radiation fields, leading to complex 3D dose distributions. Because of its complexity and uniqueness, proper quality assurance in generally consider as a necessary prerequisite before each patient treatment. So there is a clinical demand for comprehensive dose verification tool, that enable spatially resolved measurements of RT dose distributions.


Within the project a new approach for verification of complex 3D dose distributions will be investigated. The main idea is to combine the well-established dosimetric properties of an OSL material with a transparent silicone matrix, to create volumetric (2D, ultimately 3D) dosimeter system. The OSL powder will be embedded homogeneously inside a transparent silicone elastomer matrix, which acts as a host for the active OSL particles and allows optical access to the embedded OSL grains. Its flexibility determines the possibilities of mapping into anthropomorphic shapes, lifelike tumors or organs.


Realization of the project will help to develop new spatial dosimetry system which has the potential to verify complex 3D RT doses with high spatial resolution while maintaining the attractive properties known from luminescent dosimetry.


Founding

The project is financed within the framework of the HOMING Programme

The HOMING Programme is part of the Grant Project of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund.

Project value: 497 430,00 PLN / EU grant value: 497 430,00 PLN

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