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Biomedical subjects

B Paul Ravindran

Publications and source records attributed to B Paul Ravindran.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Design and development of motorized multileaf collimator for telecobalt unit.

A manual multileaf collimator developed for telecobalt unit was motorized to accomplish the easy movement of the leaves. The required field shaping using MLC could be achieved by either using template or display. The beam characteristics were investigated and then compared with those of customized blocks. The maximum interleaf leakage and the percentage of transmission measured at the depth of maximum ionization (0.5cm) were found to be 2.7% and 2.4%, respectively. The field shaping performed by the MLC was verified using film dosimetry. The comparative study of treatment plans of 3DCRT and IMRT between (60)Co beam and 6 MV beams was carried out. This MLC could be used as a substitute for conventional blocks in static fields, there by eliminating the effort and cost of fabricating customized blocks, the need for storage space for blocks and other practical difficulties during the process of the block making. It is also demonstrated that if a provision for IMRT delivery with MLC for (60)Co is made, could be a cost effective alternative to IMRT with 6 MV beam.

Cobalt Radioisotopes↗

Manual multi-leaf collimator for electron beam shaping--a feasibility study.

In electron beam therapy, lead or low melting point alloy (LMA) sheet cutouts of sufficient thickness are commonly used to shape the beam. In order to avoid making cutouts for each patient, an attempt has been made to develop a manual multi-leaf collimator for electron beams (eMLC). The eMLC has been developed using LMA for a 15 x 15 cm2 applicator. Electron beam characteristics such as depth dose, beam profiles, surface dose, output factors and virtual source position with the eMLC have been studied and compared with those of an applicator electron beam. The interleaf leakage radiation has also been measured with film dosimetry. Depth dose values obtained using the eMLC were found to be identical to those with the applicator for depths larger than Dmax. However, a decrease in the size of the beam penumbra with the eMLC and increase in the values of surface dose, output factors and virtual source position with eMLC were observed. The leakage between the leaves was less than 5% and the leakage between the opposing leaves was 15%, which could be minimized further by careful positioning of the leaves. It is observed that it is feasible to use such a manual eMLC for patients and eliminate the fabrication of cutouts for each patient.

Alloys↗

Modified ferrous ammonium sulfate benzoic acid xyelenol orange (MFBX) and thermoluminescent dosimeters--a comparative study.

Radiation dosimetry deals with the determination of absorbed dose to the medium exposed to ionizing radiation. Chemical dosimetry depends on oxidation or reduction of chemicals by ionizing radiation. A ferrous ammonium sulfate benzoic acid xyelenol orange (FBX) dosimeter based on this principle is being used as a clinical dosimeter at present. Certain modifications were carried out in the preparation and storage of the FBX dosimeter to increase its shelf life. The resulting dosimeter was called a modified FBX (MFBX) dosimeter and has been used in our department for the past few years. An extensive study of the dose, dose rate and energy response of the dosimeter was carried out and compared with a thermoluminescent (LiF7) dosimeter. The results obtained were found to be comparable to the thermoluminescent (LiF7) dosimeter. Hence it was concluded that the MFBX dosimeter could be used for phantom dosimetry, data collection and in vivo measurements. Easier preparation and availability of the reagents are added advantages of using MFBX as a clinical dosimeter in small radiotherapy departments.

Benzoic Acid↗