Development and characterization of dosimetric nanomaterials and numerical dosimetry for dose assessment of patients during computed tomography and breast tomosynthesis exams

• Grant number: 13/15669-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): October 05, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Nuclear Engineering - Applications of Radioisotopes
• Principal Investigator: Linda Viola Ehlin Caldas
• Grantee: Lucio Pereira Neves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/16437-0 - Characterization and applications of dosimetric materials using optically stimulated luminescence and complementary techniques, AP.TEM

Abstract

According to UNSCEAR, exposures in medical diagnostic radiology contribute with about 20% on the average annual world population doses. In this scenario, the CT exams represent only 6% of the annual exams, but contribute up to 34% of the total annual exposition. Up to date, the long-term risks of these exposures to radiation are unknown, and the results may appear decades after the irradiations. Thus, it is very important to determine the dose of patients undergoing medical diagnostic tests that make use of X-rays. These exams are very important, and in many cases irreplaceable, though actions such as equipment quality control or specific tests to some exams can significantly contribute to reduce the dose of patients, and thereby improving the quality of life in long-term of the population. In this work, a detailed study to assess the doses of patients undergoing CT exams and breast tomosynthesis will be undertaken. For this evaluation anthropomorphic virtual phantoms will be employed, enabling assessment of organs and tissues doses. In addition, dosimeters doped with rare earth elements, carbon nanotubes and nanostructures will be developed, to increase their sensibility for this energy ranges. These dosimeters will be studied using ab-initio calculations, to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of dopants and impurities, resulting from the synthesis process of these materials on their response. Finally, protocols will be proposed, aiming the dose reduction of the patients.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NEVES, LUCIO P.; VIVOLO, VITOR; PERINI, ANA P.; CALDAS, LINDA V. E.. Response and Monte Carlo evaluation of a reference ionization chamber for radioprotection level at calibration laboratories. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, v. 112, p. 158-162, JUL 2015. (13/15669-3, 13/21741-9)

SANTOS, WILLIAM S.; NEVES, LUCIO P.; PERINI, ANA P.; CALDAS, LINDA V. E.; MAIA, ANA F.. Evaluation of the medical and occupational shielding in cerebral angiography using Monte Carlo simulations and virtual anthropomorphic phantoms. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, v. 117, p. 83-87, DEC 2015. (13/15669-3, 13/21741-9)