Peripheral Organ Equivalent Dose Estimation Procedure in Proton Therapy.

The aim of this work is to present a reproducible methodology for the evaluation of total equivalent doses in organs during proton therapy facilities. The methodology is based on measuring the dose equivalent in representative locations inside an anthropomorphic phantom where photon and neutron dosimeters were inserted. The Monte Carlo simulation was needed for obtaining neutron energy distribution inside the phantom.

Response of SOI microdosimeter in fast neutron beams: experiment and Monte Carlo simulations.

In this study, Monte Carlo codes, Geant4 and MCNP6, were used to characterize the fast neutron therapeutic beam produced at iThemba LABS in South Africa. Experimental and simulation results were compared using the latest generation of Silicon on Insulator (SOI) microdosimeters from the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP). Geant4 and MCNP6 were able to successfully model the neutron gantry and simulate the expected neutron energy spectrum produced from the reaction by protons bombarding a Be target.

DNA damage response of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to high-LET neutron irradiation.

The radiosensitivity of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to neutron radiation remains largely underexplored, notwithstanding their potential role as target cells for radiation-induced leukemogenesis. New insights are required for radiation protection purposes, particularly for aviation, space missions, nuclear accidents and even particle therapy. In this study, HSPCs (CD34CD38 cells) were isolated from umbilical cord blood and irradiated with Co γ-rays (photons) and high energy p(66)/Be(40) neutrons.

Measuring prompt gamma-ray emissions from elements found in tissue during passive-beam proton therapy.

Prompt gamma detection during proton radiotherapy for range verification purposes will need to operate in both active and passive treatment beam environments. This paper describes prompt gamma measurements using a high resolution 2″ × 2″ LaBrdetector for a 200 MeV clinical passive-scatter proton beam. These measurements examine the most likely discrete prompt gamma rays emitted from tissue by detecting gammas produced in water, Perspex, carbon and liquid-nitrogen targets.

The Impact of Dose Rate on DNA Double-Strand Break Formation and Repair in Human Lymphocytes Exposed to Fast Neutron Irradiation.

The lack of information on how biological systems respond to low-dose and low dose-rate exposures makes it difficult to accurately assess the carcinogenic risks. This is of critical importance to space radiation, which remains a serious concern for long-term manned space exploration. In this study, the γ-H2AX foci assay was used to follow DNA double-strand break (DSB) induction and repair following exposure to neutron irradiation, which is produced as secondary radiation in the space environment.

A novel methodology to assess linear energy transfer and relative biological effectiveness in proton therapy using pairs of differently doped thermoluminescent detectors.

A new methodology for assessing linear energy transfer (LET) and relative biological effectiveness (RBE) in proton therapy beams using thermoluminescent detectors is presented. The method is based on the different LET response of two different lithium fluoride thermoluminescent detectors (LiF:Mg,Ti and LiF:Mg,Cu,P) for measuring charged particles. The relative efficiency of the two detector types was predicted using the recently developed Microdosimetric d(z) Model in combination with the Monte Carlo code PHITS.

PRaVDA: The first solid-state system for proton computed tomography.

Purpose: Proton CT is widely recognised as a beneficial alternative to conventional X-ray CT for treatment planning in proton beam radiotherapy. A novel proton CT imaging system, based entirely on solid-state detector technology, is presented. Compared to conventional scintillator-based calorimeters, positional sensitive detectors allow for multiple protons to be tracked per read out cycle, leading to a potential reduction in proton CT scan time.