The radiation dosimetry and oxygen concentration sensors that will result from the proposed project deliver unique and accurate radiation dose measurements for real-time monitoring of radiotherapy-based cancer treatment, coupled to the real-time physiological assessment of the hypoxic condition of tumors for a broad range of malignancies. The sensor development for this purpose is two-pronged and the following are breakthrough developments common to both approaches that emphasize progression beyond the current state-of-the-art:
The small dimensions of the proposed OFSs allow them to be placed in close proximity to the target tumor, in the tumor itself or near critical tissues requiring monitoring or, in the case of brachytherapy, to single or multiple implants, in a manner not previously achieved.
The small sensors can be guided within existing brachytherapy delivery tubes, or independently to other beam-targeted areas, via conventional standard catheter tubes, for real-time, minimally invasive monitoring. For example, within the seed implantation needle, in the urinary catheter to monitor urethral dose, or through the biopsy needle guide of the transperineal ultrasound probe to monitor rectal wall dose.
The sensor construction is such that they are completely sealed and biologically separate from their monitoring environment and therefore offer no possibility of contamination or other form of threat to their target operating environment, i.e. internal human tissue. They are therefore ideally placed for relatively straightforward approval for FDA/CE requirements.