Radiation protection studies for a new mobile electron accelerator for intra operative radiation therapy (IORT)

Abstract

A specially constructed highly-mobile electron accelerator for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is under development in Poland. Using an accelerator in a regular operating room (OR) for direct irradiation of surgically exposed organs raises specific questions concerning radiation safety of the patient and medical personnel. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to optimize the beam forming system and external shields in order to assure radiation safety. The Monte Carlo code BEAMnrc/EGSnrc was used to build and test a model of the accelerator treatment head and beam applicators. We used FLUKA code to study the dose distribution inside and outside the OR. It was determined that dose distribution in the patient plane meets existing radiation protection requirements. It was further found that safe operation of the accelerator in a conventional OR may require some additional light shielding, depending on details of the wall construction, patient workload and occupancy factors. We show that relatively light and mobile lead shielding panels may be successfully used for that purpose.

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy: A Promising Treatment Modality in Head and Neck Cancer

“…This need for structural shielding could be reduced by the possible use of mobile shielding walls ( 43 ). For example, in a study from Poland by Rabin et al, they calculated that it is sufficient to have mobile lead shield parameters of 1 cm × 140 cm × 150 cm between the accelerator in the OR and the control room to have the dose distribution in the patient plane meet radiation protection requirements ( 44 ). However, some authorities might object to mobile shielding due to the lack of control of correct placement by the personnel.…”

The IOERT IntraLine accelerator – the development, current state, and future plans

“…To fi nd an optimal solution for the construction of the beam-forming system, Monte Carlo modeling was extensively employed. Various aspects of the development works have been reported elsewhere [6][7][8]. The fi nal construction of the demonstrator beam forming system employs scattering and fl attening foils, primary and secondary collimator and an ionization chamber.…”