Feasibility of new polymeric matrices in the production of ferrous sulphate dosimeters

Abstract

External beam radiotherapy is a treatment modality that employs high doses for curative or palliative purposes. Safety in such treatments, particularly with high-precision equipment, necessitates strict adherence to quality control protocols to ensure the efficacy of oncological treatments. In this context, chemical dosimeters, particularly the Fricke gel, have emerged as valuable tools for quantitatively analysing absorbed radiation doses. These dosimeters can be applied both as tissue-equivalent phantoms and as radiation detectors in radiotherapy centers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of new gelling matrices, comprising common materials such as CMC, GGU, and PVA, for producing ferrous sulphate dosimeters aimed at the relative quantification of radiation dose. A rheological study was conducted for different Fricke gel dosimetric formulations. Initially, the performance of these dosimeters, produced at various gel concentrations, was evaluated in terms of their consistency at room temperature. This was achieved through the straightforward process of humidification the gels with glycerine. These matrices consist of both natural and synthetic polymers that are readily accessible, easy to handle, and can be easily incorporated into the acidic ferrous sulphate solution. Parameters such as the influence of gelling matrix concentration, linearity, and stability were assessed and correlated with those previously investigated for Fricke gel produced with bloom 300 pig skin gelatine (GEL). Ferrous sulphate dosimeters fabricated with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), guar gum (GGU), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) exhibited a coefficient of variation of less than 1% relative to the dose response evaluated in this study. By using readily available and easily manageable materials, it is possible to replicate dosimeters with a favourable dosimetric response for high-dose measurements.