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Feasibility study of computational occupational dosimetry : evaluating a proof-of-concept in an endovascular and interventional cardiology setting

O'Connor, U ; Walsh, C ; Gorman, D ; O'Reilly, G ; Martin, Z ; Madhavan, P ; Murphy, R T ; Szirt, R ; Almén, A LU and Andersson, M LU , et al. (2022) In Journal of Radiological Protection 42(4).
Abstract

Individual monitoring of radiation workers is essential to ensure compliance with legal dose limits and to ensure that doses are As Low As Reasonably Achievable. However, large uncertainties still exist in personal dosimetry and there are issues with compliance and incorrect wearing of dosimeters. The objective of the PODIUM (Personal Online Dosimetry Using Computational Methods) project was to improve personal dosimetry by an innovative approach: the development of an online dosimetry application based on computer simulations without the use of physical dosimeters. Occupational doses were calculated based on the use of camera tracking devices, flexible individualised phantoms and data from the radiation source. When combined with fast... (More)

Individual monitoring of radiation workers is essential to ensure compliance with legal dose limits and to ensure that doses are As Low As Reasonably Achievable. However, large uncertainties still exist in personal dosimetry and there are issues with compliance and incorrect wearing of dosimeters. The objective of the PODIUM (Personal Online Dosimetry Using Computational Methods) project was to improve personal dosimetry by an innovative approach: the development of an online dosimetry application based on computer simulations without the use of physical dosimeters. Occupational doses were calculated based on the use of camera tracking devices, flexible individualised phantoms and data from the radiation source. When combined with fast Monte Carlo simulation codes, the aim was to perform personal dosimetry in real-time. A key component of the PODIUM project was to assess and validate the methodology in interventional radiology workplaces where improvements in dosimetry are needed. This paper describes the feasibility of implementing the PODIUM approach in a clinical setting. Validation was carried out using dosimeters worn by Vascular Surgeons and Interventional Cardiologists during patient procedures at a hospital in Ireland. Our preliminary results from this feasibility study show acceptable differences of the order of 40% between calculated and measured staff doses, in terms of the personal dose equivalent quantity Hp(10), however there is a greater deviation for more complex cases and improvements are needed. The challenges of using the system in busy interventional rooms have informed the future needs and applicability of PODIUM. The availability of an online personal dosimetry application has the potential to overcome problems that arise from the use of current dosimeters. In addition, it should increase awareness of radiation protection among staff. Some limitations remain and a second phase of development would be required to bring the PODIUM method into operation in a hospital setting. However, an early prototype system has been tested in a clinical setting and the results from this two-year proof-of-concept PODIUM project are very promising for future development.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Cardiology, Feasibility Studies, Humans, Occupational Exposure/analysis, Radiation Dosage, Radiology, Interventional, Radiometry/methods
in
Journal of Radiological Protection
volume
42
issue
4
article number
041501
publisher
IOP Publishing
external identifiers
  • pmid:36130583
  • scopus:85139572600
ISSN
1361-6498
DOI
10.1088/1361-6498/ac9394
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Creative Commons Attribution license.
id
92464c9a-e6fb-479e-9f12-d8ef50063026
date added to LUP
2022-12-06 11:02:58
date last changed
2024-06-10 12:57:25
@article{92464c9a-e6fb-479e-9f12-d8ef50063026,
  abstract     = {{<p>Individual monitoring of radiation workers is essential to ensure compliance with legal dose limits and to ensure that doses are As Low As Reasonably Achievable. However, large uncertainties still exist in personal dosimetry and there are issues with compliance and incorrect wearing of dosimeters. The objective of the PODIUM (Personal Online Dosimetry Using Computational Methods) project was to improve personal dosimetry by an innovative approach: the development of an online dosimetry application based on computer simulations without the use of physical dosimeters. Occupational doses were calculated based on the use of camera tracking devices, flexible individualised phantoms and data from the radiation source. When combined with fast Monte Carlo simulation codes, the aim was to perform personal dosimetry in real-time. A key component of the PODIUM project was to assess and validate the methodology in interventional radiology workplaces where improvements in dosimetry are needed. This paper describes the feasibility of implementing the PODIUM approach in a clinical setting. Validation was carried out using dosimeters worn by Vascular Surgeons and Interventional Cardiologists during patient procedures at a hospital in Ireland. Our preliminary results from this feasibility study show acceptable differences of the order of 40% between calculated and measured staff doses, in terms of the personal dose equivalent quantity Hp(10), however there is a greater deviation for more complex cases and improvements are needed. The challenges of using the system in busy interventional rooms have informed the future needs and applicability of PODIUM. The availability of an online personal dosimetry application has the potential to overcome problems that arise from the use of current dosimeters. In addition, it should increase awareness of radiation protection among staff. Some limitations remain and a second phase of development would be required to bring the PODIUM method into operation in a hospital setting. However, an early prototype system has been tested in a clinical setting and the results from this two-year proof-of-concept PODIUM project are very promising for future development.</p>}},
  author       = {{O'Connor, U and Walsh, C and Gorman, D and O'Reilly, G and Martin, Z and Madhavan, P and Murphy, R T and Szirt, R and Almén, A and Andersson, M and Camp, A and Garcia, V and Duch, M A and Ginjaume, M and Abdelrahman, M and Lombardo, P and Vanhavere, F}},
  issn         = {{1361-6498}},
  keywords     = {{Cardiology; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Occupational Exposure/analysis; Radiation Dosage; Radiology, Interventional; Radiometry/methods}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  number       = {{4}},
  publisher    = {{IOP Publishing}},
  series       = {{Journal of Radiological Protection}},
  title        = {{Feasibility study of computational occupational dosimetry : evaluating a proof-of-concept in an endovascular and interventional cardiology setting}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ac9394}},
  doi          = {{10.1088/1361-6498/ac9394}},
  volume       = {{42}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}