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WE‐G‐BRE‐01: A High Power Nanotube X‐Ray Microbeam Irradiator for Preclinical Brain Tumor Treatment
Author(s) -
Chtcheprov P,
Inscoe C,
Zhang L,
Lu J,
Zhou O,
Chang S,
Sprenger F,
Laganis P
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.4889476
Subject(s) - microbeam , collimator , materials science , anode , imaging phantom , optics , x ray tube , medical physics , dosimetry , x ray , optoelectronics , nuclear medicine , physics , medicine , electrode , quantum mechanics
Purpose: Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is a new type of cancer treatment undergoing studies at various synchrotron facilities. The principle of MRT is using arrays of microscopically small, low‐energy X‐radiation for the treatment of various radio‐resistant, deep‐seated tumors. Our motivation is to develop a compact and inexpensive image guided MRT irradiator to use in the research lab setting. After a successful initial demonstration, here we report a second generation carbon nanotube (CNT) cathode based MRT tube, capable of producing multiple microbeam lines with an anticipated dose rate of 11 Gy/min per line. Methods: The system uses multiple line CNT source arrays to generate multiple focal lines on the anode. The increase in dose‐rate, compared to our first generation system, is achieved by increasing the operating voltage from 160 kVp to 225kVp, adding multiple simultaneous focal lines on the anode, and a more efficient cooling mechanism using a 6kW oil‐cooled anode. Results: This work will present the design and development process, challenges and solutions to meeting operating specifications, and the final design of the tube and collimator, along with optimization and stabilization of its use. A detailed characterization of its capabilities will be included with a comprehensive measurement of its X‐ray focal line dimensions, an evaluation of its collimator alignment and microbeam dimensions, and phantom‐based quantification of its dosimetric output. Conclusion: The development of a second generation, compact, multiple line MRT device using carbon nanotube (CNT) cathode based X‐ray technology and a novel oil cooled anode design is presented here. With this new source, we are capable of delivering a total microbeam radiation dose comparable to the low end of the synchrotron based MRT systems for small animal brain tumor models.