Biomedical subjects

S Brindha

Publications and source records attributed to S Brindha.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Investigation of the PAGAT polymer gel dosimeter using magnetic resonance imaging.

Investigation of the normoxic PAGAT polymer gel dosimeter has been undertaken. The concentrations of the chemical components of the gel were varied and its response to ionizing radiation evaluated. Using MRI, the formulation to give the maximum change in the transverse relaxation rate R2 was determined to be 4.5% N, N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (bis), 4.5% acrylamide (AA), 5% gelatine, 5 mM tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC), 0.01 mM hydroquinone (HQ) and 86% H2O. The optimal post-manufacture irradiation and post-irradiation imaging times were both determined to be 12 h. The R2-dose response was linear up to 7 Gy with R2-dose sensitivities of (0.183 +/- 0.005) s(-1) Gy(-1), (0.182 +/- 0.005) s(-1) Gy(-1) and (0.192 +/- 0.005) s(-1) Gy(-1) when imaged at 12 h, 7 days and 24 days post-irradiation, respectively. The R2-dose sensitivities were within the range of previously published values for the hypoxic PAG formulations. For the imaging parameters used in this study the optimum dose resolution was achieved for low doses. The normalized R2 edge response showed a high degree of spatial stability over a 24 day period. This study has shown that the normoxic PAGAT polymer gel has the properties of a dosimetric tool, which can be used in clinical radiotherapy. The PAGAT polymer gel has been shown to have similar qualities to the PAG polymer gel, while offering the significant advantage of simplification of the manufacturing procedure.

Acrylamide↗

PubMed2004

Experimental study of attenuation properties of normoxic polymer gel dosimeters.

The change in linear attenuation coefficient with absorbed dose has been investigated for aqueous polyacrylamide, gelatine and tetrakis (PAGAT) and aqueous methacrylic acid, gelatine and tetrakis (MAGAT) normoxic polymer gel dosimeters using tetrakis (hydroxy methyl) phosphonium chloride as the antioxidant. The measured linear attenuation coefficient increased linearly with absorbed dose up to 15 Gy for PAGAT gels and 10 Gy for MAGAT gels. Computerized tomography (CT) numbers or Hounsfield units (H) were calculated from the linear attenuation coefficients and compared with values obtained using a CT scanner. Both calculated and measured CT numbers followed a similar pattern when fitted with a biexponential curve. The CT numbers obtained from linear attenuation measurements were found to be greater than that obtained with the CT scanner for both PAGAT and MAGAT polymer gels. The H-dose sensitivities of the MAGAT and PAGAT polymer gel dosimeters measured on a CT scanner were calculated to be (0.85 +/- 0.08) H Gy(-1) and (0.31 +/- 0.03) H Gy(-1), respectively. The H-dose sensitivities of the MAGAT and PAGAT polymer gel dosimeters from attenuation measurements were found to be (1.10 +/- 0.66) H Gy(-1) and (0.34 +/- 0.01) H Gy(-1), respectively.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMed2002

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↗

PubMed2002

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↗

PubMed1999

Development of collimator insert for linac based stereotactic irradiation.

The aim of this study is to develop collimator inserts of various sizes which are either not commercially available or are expensive to import. The dosimetry parameters such as tissue maximum ratio (TMR), off-axis ratio (OAR) and output factor of the developed collimator insert are compared with that of the commercial collimator insert (Radionics). In order to check the suitability of the collimator insert developed locally for clinical use and to standardize the method of development, a collimator insert of 15 mm identical to the one supplied by Radionics is developed with low-melting alloy (Cerrobend). Moreover for the clinical use of the developed collimator insert, certain acceptance tests are performed which include a collimator concentricity test, beam size check and radiation leakage test. The dose verification is carried out with a thermoluminescent dosimeter (7LiF rods) and an FBX chemical dosimeter in a human-head-shaped Perspex phantom filled with water. The variation between the calculated and measured dose is found to be within +2.4% for 7LiF rods and -2.0% for the FBX chemical dosimeter thus ensuring the suitability of the developed collimator insert for clinical use. This has encouraged us to standardize the method adapted to develop the collimator insert and to develop collimator inserts of different field sizes.

Equipment Design↗