Verification of Radiotherapy Patient Dose (2013)

Refinement of a thin wafer detection system for real-time 2D verification of modulated radiotherapy.

Funded by UH Bristol NIHR Research Capability Funding Call.  Started Jan 2013.

Clinical scientists and radiographers at BHOC, and academics from Bristol and Swansea universities, have been developing a novel radiation detector device to reduce the risks of mistreatments during radiotherapy. 

Advances in the way radiation is delivered to patients to treat cancer mean that tumours can be much more accurately targeted, greatly reducing the damage from radiation to surrounding tissue and sensitive organs. Finely engineered components in the treatment machine shape the radiation field directed at the tumour. 

A consequence of this complex technology is that changes to the radiation beam cannot be easily recognised and if faults occur, they may not be immediately spotted. This can result in mistreatments if radiation beam components are misaligned. 

The project team offers expertise in the fabrication of radiation detectors and the modelling of clinical radiation equipment. We have developed a novel solution using a detector based on very thin silicon camera systems which does not interfere with the radiation beam. We have been able to prove this concept with a static system but now need to extend the work to dynamic treatments and a range of machines.  The aim is also to speed up data collection and validate the system in real time.  Ultimately this will provide the radiographer with an instantaneous real time image of the beam as it is delivered. Any errors can then be corrected before adversely affecting the patient.

This project builds on developments from a previous NIHR i4i-funded project led by Mrs Cathy Hall (UH Bristol) and Dr Jaap Velthuis (University of Bristol) in partnership with Prof Richard Hugtenburg (University of Swansea). This interim grant has enabled us to bid successfully for further NIHR i4i funding.  See NIHR i4i TRAPS project.