Development of adapdated modules for e-learning training on medical physics and medical engineering

• Grant number: 11/50578-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2011
• End date: November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Medical Engineering
• Agreement: King's College London
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Roberto Costa
• Grantee: Paulo Roberto Costa
• Principal researcher abroad: Slavik Tabakov
• Institution abroad: King's College London , England
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated research grant: 10/12237-7 - Experimento evaluation of the relation between air-Kerma and ambient equivalent dose for shielding calculation in adult and pediatric X-ray rooms, AP.R

Abstract

The present research program has for objective the experimental study of the relations between air-Kerma and the operational quantity Ambient Dose Equivalent, through the measurement of the spectral beam fluence of transmitted rays X through materials used in radiological rooms. For this, an experimental methodology based on X-ray spectroscopy techniques will be developed, with the purpose of validating mathematical models previously introduced by the proponent researcher. The final product will be composed by a set of operational procedures for shielding calculations and radiometric surveys that take in consideration the spectral behavior of X-ray beams transmitted by primary barriers typically used during radiological procedures. These procedures will incorporate in its estimates of the quantity Ambient Dose Equivalent, conversion factors between the air-Kerma and this quantity that take in consideration the spectral changes due to the penetration of the primary spectra in adult and pediatrics' phantoms and to different attenuating materials found in Brazilian market. The objectives to be reached during the project are the determination of the X-ray beam qualities following the IAEA Code of Practice, the application of methods of spectroscopy for determination of properties of primary protective barriers, the calculation of conversion factors between air-Kerma and Ambient Dose Equivalent, and the validation and analysis of uncertainties of the results. (AU)