A novel high-dose rate and high throughput x-ray irradiation technology for replacement of isotopic sources in radiobiology applications.

大部分辐射研究是通过同位素源（Co60/Cs137）进行的，因为它们能够提供高辐照率。然而，由于对健康和安全（对人类健康有危险）、安全（被盗样品有可能被用作武器）、所需基础设施（昂贵的屏蔽）、处置（昂贵的处理）以及越来越多的使用监管限制（美国铯替代计划- cirp）的担忧日益加剧，这些来源已受到越来越严格的限制。在过去的几十年里，x射线源提供了一种替代方案，在密封和受保护的环境中使用x射线管，可以打开/关闭，提供了一种更安全、简单、环保和更安全的系统。x射线源目前只能以低通量和较差的剂量控制（±10-15%）提供低/中剂量率（5-6Gy/min），每台机器的大型系统成本为50万英镑，限制了它们替代同位素源和减少吸收的有效性。通过使用专有的x射线源安排，定制的机械和电气系统以及革命性的分析和控制软件，Xstrahl有限公司（英国中小企业）旨在解决与传统x射线辐照器相关的限制，提供解决方案，使：\*高能放射生物学的高剂量率作为同位素源的替代品。*高通量系统，允许大规模实验。与现有的高剂量溶液相比，成本降低50%，能够更广泛地吸收。*增加健康和安全保障方面（开/关开关/不能在设备外使用）。随着市场需求的验证（通过与现有客户的一对一讨论），以及从两个用户（知名研发机构）的初始PoC试验中获得的积极用户反馈，需要一个工业研究计划来进一步将初始概念发展成MVP原型，以便在相关环境中进行用户试验。在Innovate UK的支持下，如果开发成功，该解决方案最初将应用于一系列放射生物学领域，包括细胞辐照、动物全身辐照、昆虫不育技术和病毒灭活，这些领域由于目前的局限性，采用x射线技术的速度很慢，并且可以建立市场主导地位。Xstrahl的技术有可能增加使用此类设备的用户范围，同时降低使用同位素辐照器所涉及的风险因素。这项技术有潜力在全球范围内得到利用，并在包括材料科学和血液辐照在内的一系列研发部门得到利用。

The bulk of radiation studies are carried out by isotopic sources (Co60/Cs137), due to their ability to provide a high irradiation rate. However, such sources have become subject to tightening restrictions due to increasing fears surrounding the health and safety (dangerous to human health), security (stolen samples have the potential to be used as weapons), infrastructure required (costly shielding), disposal (costly processing) and increasing regulatory restrictions around use (US Cesium replacement program-CIRP).X-ray sources have provided an alternative for the last few decades, using X-ray tubes in sealed and protected environments, which can be switched on/off, presenting a safer, easy, environmentally friendly and more secure system. X-ray sources can only currently deliver low/medium dose rates(5-6Gy/min) at low throughput rates and with poor dosimetry control (±10-15%), with larger systems costing \>£500,000 per machine, limiting their effectiveness in replacing isotopic sources and reducing their uptake.Through the use of a proprietary x-ray source arrangement, bespoke mechanical and electric systems and revolutionary analysis and control software, Xstrahl Limited (a UK SME) aims to address the limitations associated with conventional x-ray irradiators delivering a solution that enables:\*High-dose rate for high-energy radiobiology as an alternative for isotopic sources.\*High throughput system allowing large-scale experiments.\*Cost reduction of \>50% on existing high-dose solutions, enabling wider uptake.\*Increased health & safety and security aspects (on/off switch/cannot be used outside apparatus).With market need validated (through one-on-one discussion with existing customers) and building on positive user feedback from an initial PoC trial with two users (Well-known R&D institutes), a programme of Industrial Research is require to further development the initial concept into a MVP prototype for user trials in a relevant environment. With Innovate UK's support and if successful in development, the solution will initially be deployed with a range of radiobiology sectors including cell irradiation, whole-body animal irradiation, Sterile Insect Technique and Viral deactivation, all sector who have been slow to adopt x-ray technology due to its current limitations and where market dominance can be established. Xstrahl's technology has the potential to increase the range of users that have access to such equipment while reducing the risk factor involved with the use of isotopic irradiators. The technology has the potential to be exploited globally as well as across a range of R&D sectors including materials science and blood irradiation.