GEL DOSIMETERS FOR RADIOTHERAPY APPLICATIONS: RESULTS OF A “RESEARCH PROJECT OF NATIONAL INTEREST” (PRIN)

Introduction: Gel dosimeters for three-dimensional mapping of radiotherapy doses were introduced at Yale University in the mid-1980’s. Soon after, research and development in this field also started in Italy. Early work was done at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and at the Universities of Pisa and Milan. Several institutes now collaborate on this topic with the goal of developing new formulations of hydrogel matrices with improved characteristics of stability, sensitivity and spatial resolution compared to those of earlier Fricke-gel and polymer-gel systems. Materials and methods: Contrary to earlier gels based on natural gelling agents, such as porcine skin gelatin and/or agarose, which …

Novel GTA-PVA Fricke gels for three-dimensional dose mapping in radiotherapy

Abstract One of the most recent and promising developments in radiotherapy dosimetry was the introduction of 3D radiation-sensitive gels. These gels present tissue equivalent composition and density, so they also serve as phantoms, and their response is largely independent of radiation quality and dose rate. Some gels are infused with ferrous sulfate and rely on the radiation-induced oxidation of ferrous ions to ferric ions (Fricke-gels). These formulations suffer from spontaneous-oxidation and diffusion of ferric ions after irradiation; chelating agents such as xylenol-orange significantly reduces the latter. Other gel types consist of dispersed monomers, and rely on radiation-induced cros…

Diffusion coefficient of PVA Fricke gel dosimeters

Fricke gel dosimeters based on various matrix has been studied for a long time as 3D dosimetric system for radiotherapy. Selfoxidation and loss of spatial resolution due to diffusion have been the main issues that have impaired the affirmation of this technique so far. As part of an Italian nation-wide research program, we were interested in develop new gel formulations that are simple, reproducible and non toxic. We studied the one dimensional diffusion coefficient of Fe3+ ions inside Fricke gel dosimeters based on a matrix of PVA cross-linked with a di-aldehyde. With a spectrophotometer equipped with a moving tray we were able to collect absorbance measurements at different positions of t…

Diffusion and sensitivity characteristics of a chemically cross-linked PVA-Fricke gel dosimeter