Water-Equivalent Plastic Scintillation Detectors for Small-Field Radiotherapy

描述(申请人提供)：标准成像公司正在开发用于小视野剂量测量的新一代辐射剂量计，这是临床应用中所需的，如立体定向放射外科/立体定向放射治疗(SRS/SRT)、调强放射治疗(IMRT)、动态弧形治疗和断层治疗。使之成为可能的技术是点闪烁探测器，它使用一个微型塑料闪烁体，通过光纤耦合到一个彩色PIN二极管探测器。该项目的总体目标是将经过验证的台式塑料闪烁探测器(PSD)系统的关键性能特征转变为可靠、小型化的PSD系统，从而消除繁琐的光学子系统，并适合在典型临床环境中的日常使用。该项目将设计、建造和测试一个塑料闪烁体探测器，并将产生一个可用于小型领域的原型系统。为了将闪烁探测器系统从台式计算机带到临床，将实施几项战略。首先，基于CCD的光电探测器将被PIN二极管取代。这将允许在不需要用滤光片分离光信号的情况下减去切伦科夫噪声。其次，光学元件将被简单的直接耦合到PIN二极管所取代。这将使得可以用一个小的黑色盒子来取代笨重的光学长椅，这个小盒子可以很容易地放在治疗沙发上。最后，在第一阶段研究期间，将开发设计用于标准成像Supermax静电计上运行的具有该应用的特定功能的经修改的软件。两个完整的原型系统将进行独立测试-一个在现实临床条件下的协作医疗现场由该领域的专家进行，另一个在标准成像公司的设施中进行；仪器行为将得到全面表征。标准成像公司已经获得了两位国际知名的闪烁剂量学专家的服务，他们十多年来一直是放射治疗应用中闪烁剂量学发展的先驱。在第二阶段，这种新的微型辐射PSD系统将在临床上商业化使用。 与公共卫生相关：接受非常精细的放射治疗的患者，如立体定向放射外科/立体定向放射治疗(SRS/SRT)、调强放射治疗(IMRT)、动态弧形治疗或断层治疗，需要极其精确和准确的剂量。目前的方法是足够的，但可能会更好。标准成像公司正在开发一种可靠的、小型化的塑料闪烁探测器(PSD)系统，该系统将准确测量实际的放射剂量，并改善患者的护理和安全性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Standard Imaging, Inc. is developing a new generation of radiation dosimeters for small field dosimetry, which are needed in clinical applications such as stereotactic radiosurgery/ stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), dynamical arc therapy and tomotherapy treatments. The enabling technology is the point scintillation detector which employs a miniature plastic scintillator coupled to a color PIN diode detector via an optical fiber. The overall aim of this project is to transform the critical performance features of a proven benchtop Plastic Scintillation Detector (PSD) system into a reliable, miniaturized PSD system that eliminates cumbersome optical subsystems and is suitable for daily usage in typical clinical settings. This project will design, build, and test a Plastic Scintillator Detector and will result in a prototype system that can be characterized for use in small fields. To bring the scintillation detector system from the benchtop to the clinic, several strategies will be implemented. First, the CCD-based photodetector will be replaced with a PIN diode. This will permit subtraction of Cerenkov noise without the need to separate the light signal with filters. Second, the optics will be replaced with a simple direct coupling to the PIN diode. This will enable replacing the bulky optical bench with a small black box that can easily be placed on the treatment couch. Finally, modified software designed to run on the Standard Imaging SuperMAX electrometer with specific features for this application will be developed during this Phase I study. Two complete prototype systems will be independently tested-one at a collaborative medical site under realistic clinical conditions by experts in the field and one at Standard Imaging's facilities; instrument behavior will be fully characterized. Standard Imaging has obtained the services of two individuals who are internationally renowned experts in scintillation dosimetry and have been pioneering the development of scintillation dosimetry for radiotherapy applications for more than a decade. In Phase II, this new miniature radiation PSD system will be commercialized for use in the clinic. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Patients undergoing very delicate radiation treatment, such as stereotactic radiosurgery/ stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), dynamical arc therapy, or tomotherapy treatments, need extremely precise and accurate doses. Current methods are adequate, but could be much better. Standard Imaging is developing a reliable, miniaturized Plastic Scintillation Detector (PSD) system that will accurately measure the actual radiotherapy dose-and improve patient care and safety.