POLYMER GEL FOR CLINICAL 3D RADIATION DOSIMETRY BY MRI

该项目旨在开发一种基于新奇、 组织等效凝胶，可用于生产高分辨率和 三维辐射剂量分布的精确数据 磁共振成像(MRI)，使用更少的辐射时间 治疗设备，即现有的技术，而且成本低得多。 剂量-反应机制依赖于辐射诱导的 凝胶中的聚合物，这将增加水中的质子核磁共振弛豫速率 与吸收剂量的比例。该聚合物凝胶剂量计性能稳定，可以 即使延迟了几个月也不会损失任何剂量 数据。这种凝胶将在放射治疗实践中得到广泛应用， 对于均匀的和拟人的模型中的3D测量， 确认计算机化的治疗计划和质量保证 程序。第二阶段的目标是完成 方法，特别强调开发可靠的凝胶工艺 准备，关于将制造和使用的成本降至最低 凝胶和辐射剂量计性能的表征 对剂量分布的磁共振成像的反应。预计将会有一个 商业上可行的产品将在完成后开发出来 第二阶段。 建议的商业应用：(国内年度市场)验收 测试大约125台新的高能X光机需要 测量6至12个剂量分布，使用约1,200个 凝胶。现有的2,500台直线电机的质量保证程序 加速器可能需要10,000个聚合物凝胶。近距离放射治疗和 试验性应用可能会增加2,000种凝胶。至少 每个凝胶200美元，初始年销售额超过250万美元的是 已经预料到了。

This project aims to develop a new class of products based on novel, tissue-equivalent gels that can be used to produce highly-resolved and accurate data on three dimensional radiation dose distributions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using much less time of radiation therapy equipment that existing techniques, and at a much lower cost. The dose-response mechanism relies on radiation-induced formation of a polymer in a gel, which increases water proton NMR relaxation rates in proportion to absorbed dose. The polymer-gel dosimeter is stable and can be imaged with delays of even several months without any loss of the dose data. The gel will find widespread use in radiation therapy practice, for 3D measurements in homogeneous and anthropomorphic phantoms, confirmation of computerized treatment planning and in quality assurance procedures. The goals of Phase II are to complete the development of the method, with special emphasis on developing reliable processes of gel preparation, on minimizing the costs of manufacturing and usage of the gels, and the characterization of dosimeter performance, from radiation response to MR imaging of dose distributions. It is anticipated that a commercially viable product will be developed at the completion of the Phase II. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: (Annual domestic market) Acceptance testing of approximately 125 new high energy X-ray machines requires the measurement of between 6 and 12 dose distributions, using about 1,200 gels. Quality assurance procedures for the existing 2,500 linear accelerators could require 10,000 polymer-gels. Brachytherapy and experimental applications could account for 2,000 more gels. At least $200 per gel, initial annual sales in excess of $2.5 million are anticipated.