Flexible, Wireless, Inductively Coupled Surface Coil Resonator for Epr Tooth Dosimetry

Abstract

Managing radiation injuries following a catastrophic event where large numbers of people may have been exposed to life-threatening doses of ionizing radiation relies on the availability of biodosimetry to assess whether individuals need to be triaged for care. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) tooth dosimetry is a viable method to accurately estimate the amount of ionizing radiation to which an individual has been exposed. In the intended measurement conditions and scenario, it is essential that the measurement process be fast, straightforward and provides meaningful and accurate dose estimations for individuals in the expected measurement conditions. The sensing component of a conventional L-band EPR spectrometer used for tooth dosimetry typically consists of a surface coil resonator that is rigidly, physically attached to the coupler. This design can result in cumbersome operation, limitations in teeth geometries that may be measured and hinder the overall utility of the dosimeter. A novel surface coil resonator has been developed for the currently existing L-band (1.15 GHz) EPR tooth dosimeter for the intended use as a point of care device by minimally trained operators. This resonator development provides further utility to the dosimeter, and increases the usability of the dosimeter by non-expert operators in the intended use scenario.

Evolution and Optimization of Tooth Models for TestingIn VivoEPR Tooth Dosimetry

“…We used the epoxy to build the maxillary structure for the four-tooth model (see Figure 1) and evaluated its EPR signals. The four-tooth model has been used in several important clinical tests of the sensitivity of the current device prototype, as reported in Flood et al (1) and Schreiber et al (2) in this issue.…”

“…The tooth models have been used in a variety of tests and studies of the EPR device as it evolved and advanced in its development over time. Companion papers present details of their use in engineering developments (2,3) and in rigorous tests of meeting performance standards (1) . Here we illustrate their use to gather evidence that could improve our estimates by taking into account factors that influence variation in background signals and neighboring teeth.…”

“…the resonator or bridge. See Schreiber et al (2) and Petryakov et al (3) in this issue for an example of related engineering developments and their testing.…”

“…The materials used in constructing and testing the tooth models include: Details of the EPR in vivo tooth dosimetry device have been reported elsewhere (1)(2)(3)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) . The tooth being queried by the device reported here was one or both of central incisors in the maxillary jaw.…”

“…In a series of companion papers in this issue, the team from the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Center for the Study of Viable Systems at Dartmouth (the EPR Center) has described several advanced technical developments and clinical tests that have been conducted to evaluate Dartmouth's device for performing EPR In Vivo Tooth Dosimetry (1)(2)(3)(4) .…”