Preliminary Tests of a Kerma-Area Product (KAP) Meter to Be Used as a Monitor Chamber in a Conventional Diagnostic X Ray System
Author(s)
Eduardo Correa1*,
Regina Medeiros2,
Maria da Penha Potiens1,
Vitor Vivolo1,
Nathalia Costa1,
Camila Murata2,
Cristina Kikuti2
Affiliation(s)
1 Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN), Universityof Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Brazil. 2 Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil.
1 Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN), Universityof Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Brazil. 2 Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil.
ABSTRACT
This study presents the results of the preliminary tests performed using a kerma-area product (KAP) meter in order to verify its usefulness as a monitor chamber in a clinical X ray system, which will be used in ionization chambers’ quality control program. The tests performed were repeatability, surface measurement uniformity, linearity with tube current, measurement variation changing the distance and field size, KAP chamber radiation attenuation, and energy dependence. The KAP meter has presented a good repeatability (a maximum variation of 0.4%); its surface has a homogeneous response (a maximum variation of 1.0% among the different irradiated regions); the response is linear with the tube current and the variation of the PKA along the distance is less than 3.43%. On the other hand, the results obtained for chamber attenuation and energy dependence show that some corrections must be applied when the measurements are made. The results have shown a good performance of the KAP meter, confirming that it is possible to use this instrument as a monitor chamber. However, it is important to highlight that some correction factors for energy dependence and chamber radiation attenuation must be considered.
This study presents the results of the preliminary tests performed using a kerma-area product (KAP) meter in order to verify its usefulness as a monitor chamber in a clinical X ray system, which will be used in ionization chambers’ quality control program. The tests performed were repeatability, surface measurement uniformity, linearity with tube current, measurement variation changing the distance and field size, KAP chamber radiation attenuation, and energy dependence. The KAP meter has presented a good repeatability (a maximum variation of 0.4%); its surface has a homogeneous response (a maximum variation of 1.0% among the different irradiated regions); the response is linear with the tube current and the variation of the PKA along the distance is less than 3.43%. On the other hand, the results obtained for chamber attenuation and energy dependence show that some corrections must be applied when the measurements are made. The results have shown a good performance of the KAP meter, confirming that it is possible to use this instrument as a monitor chamber. However, it is important to highlight that some correction factors for energy dependence and chamber radiation attenuation must be considered.
Cite this paper
Correa, E. , Medeiros, R. , Potiens, M. , Vivolo, V. , Costa, N. , Murata, C. and Kikuti, C. (2015) Preliminary Tests of a Kerma-Area Product (KAP) Meter to Be Used as a Monitor Chamber in a Conventional Diagnostic X Ray System. Journal of Modern Physics, 6, 483-489. doi: 10.4236/jmp.2015.64052.
Correa, E. , Medeiros, R. , Potiens, M. , Vivolo, V. , Costa, N. , Murata, C. and Kikuti, C. (2015) Preliminary Tests of a Kerma-Area Product (KAP) Meter to Be Used as a Monitor Chamber in a Conventional Diagnostic X Ray System. Journal of Modern Physics, 6, 483-489. doi: 10.4236/jmp.2015.64052.
References
[1] Canevaro, L.V. (2009) Revista Brasileira De Medicina, 3, 101-115.
http://playmagem.com.br/radiologia/radiologia_intervencionosta.PDF [2] International Eletrotechnical Commission (2003) Medical Electrical Equipment—Dose Area Product Meters. IEC 60580, Geneva. [3] International Eletrotechnical Commission (1997) Medical Electrical Equipment—Dosimeters With Ionizing Chamber and/or Semi-Conductor Detectors as Used in X Ray Diagnostic Imaging. IEC 61674, Geneva. [4] International Atomic Energy Agency (2007) Dosimetry in Diagnostic Radiology: An International Code of Practice. IAEA, Vienna (Technical Report Series No. 457). [5] Correa, E.L., Vivolo, V. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2012) Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 70, 1396-1399.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.01.012 [6] Franciscatto, P.C. (2009) Caracterizacao das qualidades de radiacao X seguindo as recomendacoes da norma IEC 61267 no laboratório de calibracao do IPEN. Master Thesis, Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo. [7] International Eletrotechnical Commission (2005) Medical Diagnostic X Ray Equipment—Radiation Conditions for Use in the Determination of Characteristics. IEC 61267, Geneva. [8] Costa, N.A. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2014) Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 104, 201-203.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2014.03.004 [9] Bureau International des Poidset Mesures (2008) International Vocabulary of Metrology—Basic and General Concepts and Associated Terms (VIM). BIPM, Sevres. [10] Toroi, P., Komppa, T., Kosunen, A. and Tapiovaara, M. (2008) Physics in Medicine and Biology, 53, 5207-5221.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/53/18/024 [11] Costa, N.A. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2014) Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 95, 214-216.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2013.07.028 [12] Costa, N.A., Correa, E.L. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2011) Performance Evaluation of a Kerma-Area Meter in the Mammography Radiation Qualities. Proceedings of the International Nuclear Atlantic Conference, Belo Horizonte, 24-28 October 2011. [13] International Electrotechnical Commission (1994) Medical Diagnostic X-Ray Equipment—Radiation Conditions for Use in the Determination of Characteristics. IEC 1267, Geneva.
[1] Canevaro, L.V. (2009) Revista Brasileira De Medicina, 3, 101-115.
http://playmagem.com.br/radiologia/radiologia_intervencionosta.PDF [2] International Eletrotechnical Commission (2003) Medical Electrical Equipment—Dose Area Product Meters. IEC 60580, Geneva. [3] International Eletrotechnical Commission (1997) Medical Electrical Equipment—Dosimeters With Ionizing Chamber and/or Semi-Conductor Detectors as Used in X Ray Diagnostic Imaging. IEC 61674, Geneva. [4] International Atomic Energy Agency (2007) Dosimetry in Diagnostic Radiology: An International Code of Practice. IAEA, Vienna (Technical Report Series No. 457). [5] Correa, E.L., Vivolo, V. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2012) Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 70, 1396-1399.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.01.012 [6] Franciscatto, P.C. (2009) Caracterizacao das qualidades de radiacao X seguindo as recomendacoes da norma IEC 61267 no laboratório de calibracao do IPEN. Master Thesis, Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo. [7] International Eletrotechnical Commission (2005) Medical Diagnostic X Ray Equipment—Radiation Conditions for Use in the Determination of Characteristics. IEC 61267, Geneva. [8] Costa, N.A. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2014) Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 104, 201-203.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2014.03.004 [9] Bureau International des Poidset Mesures (2008) International Vocabulary of Metrology—Basic and General Concepts and Associated Terms (VIM). BIPM, Sevres. [10] Toroi, P., Komppa, T., Kosunen, A. and Tapiovaara, M. (2008) Physics in Medicine and Biology, 53, 5207-5221.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/53/18/024 [11] Costa, N.A. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2014) Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 95, 214-216.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2013.07.028 [12] Costa, N.A., Correa, E.L. and Potiens, M.P.A. (2011) Performance Evaluation of a Kerma-Area Meter in the Mammography Radiation Qualities. Proceedings of the International Nuclear Atlantic Conference, Belo Horizonte, 24-28 October 2011. [13] International Electrotechnical Commission (1994) Medical Diagnostic X-Ray Equipment—Radiation Conditions for Use in the Determination of Characteristics. IEC 1267, Geneva.