Purchase and installation of X-Rad 320 Biological irradiator for USC Keck School

描述(由申请人提供)：在这份申请中，我们申请资金为南加州大学凯克医学院购买和安装X-RAD 320生物辐射器。这台机器可以将培养中的细胞和小动物都暴露在能量范围为50至320 kVp的X射线下。在所要求的配置中，剂量率可以改变，X射线的能量可以改变，机器具有可变准直器以允许部分身体辐射。这台机器最终将取代自1983年以来一直在医学院使用的老化的AECL铯伽马辐射器。目前的铯辐照剂的单剂量率正在逐渐降低，只能进行全身照射。它只有一个模拟剂量计时装置，不能计时少于6秒的曝光。由于它的年代久远，故障的数量越来越多，这导致了大量的停机。铯辐射器被国土安全部认为是一种风险，因此辐射安全必须花费大量资源来确保它是安全的、受保护的，并符合当前的法规。这种新的辐照器只有在打开时才会产生X射线，因此不会被认为是辐射威胁。目前有一百多名铯机器的用户。许多项目是由NIH拨款以及其他联邦机构资助的。其中许多研究很难在铯辐照器上进行，因为它只能进行大于约10cGy值的照射和全身辐射。一些资助的赠款正在使用远至圣地亚哥(距离洛杉矶150英里)的设施。新的辐照器将安装在ELI和Edythe BRoad再生医学研究所的地下室，与动物设施位于同一楼层，以便于进行动物研究。布罗德学院正在建设中，预计将于2010年4月开业。诺里斯综合癌症中心放射肿瘤科的P.I科林·希尔博士组建了一支经验丰富的管理团队和管理计划，以安装和操作这台新机器，其中包括放射肿瘤科和南加州大学辐射安全办公室的成员。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this application we are requesting funds to purchase and install an X-RAD 320 Biological Irradiator for the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. This machine can expose both cells in culture and small animal to x-rays in the energy range 50 to 320 Kvp. In the configuration requested the dose rate can be varied, the energy of the x- rays can be varied and the machine has a variable collimator to allow for partial body radiation. It is intended that this machine will eventually replace an aging AECL cesium gamma irradiator that has been in use at the School of Medicine since 1983. The current cesium irradiator has a single dose rate that is gradually degrading and can only do total body exposures. It has only an analog dose-timing device and cannot time less than a 6 second exposure. Due to its age there is an increasing number of breakdowns and these lead to significant downtime. Cesium irradiators are considered a risk by Homeland Security and as such Radiation Safety has to spend significant resources making sure it is safe, protected and in compliance with current regulations. The new irradiator only produces x-rays when switched on and is thus not considered a radiation threat. Currently there are more than one hundred users of the cesium machine. Many are funded by NIH grants as well as other federal agencies. Many of these studies are difficult to do on the cesium irradiator because it can only do exposures larger than about 10 cGy and whole body radiation. Some funded grants are using facilities off-site as far away as San Diego (150 miles from Los Angeles). The new irradiator will be installed in the basement of the Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Regenerative Medicine on the same level as animal facilities to afford easy access for animal studies. The Broad Institute is under construction and expected to open in April of 2010. The P.I Dr Colin Hill of the Radiation Oncology Department in the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has put together an experienced management team and management plan to install and operate this new machine that includes members of the Radiation Oncology Department and the USC Radiation Safety Office.