Validation of human tissue-equivalent materials for ionizing radiation dosimetric and quality control purposes applied to radiography and computed tomography techniques

• Grant number: 20/04577-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2020
• End date: April 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Nuclear Physics
• Principal Investigator: Elisabeth Mateus Yoshimura
• Grantee: Camila Amorim Sousa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/05982-0 - R&D&I in Radiation Metrology in the Health Area, AP.TEM

Abstract

The development and characterization of simulator objects (phantoms) with transmission and scattering properties equivalent to human tissue for dose studies of patients in the radiation energy range used in diagnostic imaging. The prototypes being researched do not have national similars, and even those available in the foreign market to Brazil, are not adequately characterized for a good representation of the attenuation and spreading properties of ionizing radiation in the range of energies used in diagnostic imaging (20- 150 keV). Thus, the present work aims to characterize the transmission and spreading properties of tissue-equivalent materials produced for applications in radiology, specifically in the modalities of radiography and computed tomography, as well as the determination of the elementary fractions of the material developed. The tests aim to qualify the material developed for use in quality control routines in diagnostic imaging equipment in clinics and hospitals.