Kenta Kijima1,2, Hajime Monzen3, Kenji Matsumoto1, Mikoto Tamura1, Yasumasa Nishimura4. 1. Department of Medical Physics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan. 2. Department of Radiology, Otsu City Hospital, Shiga, Japan. 3. Department of Medical Physics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan hmon@med.kindai.ac.jp. 4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: A newly-introduced tungsten containing rubber (TCR) is a potentially useful shielding material in electron radiotherapy because it is lead-free, containing as much as 90% fine tungsten powder by weight. This study aimed to investigate the shielding ability of TCR against electron beams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transmission of TCR was measured for energies of 4, 6, 9 and 12 MeV. Dose profiles were measured to compare the TCR and lead. The electron backscatter factor (EBF) was also compared. RESULTS: The transmission of equivalent thickness for 4, 6, 9 and 12 MeV with TCR (0.78%, 1.34%, 2.16% and 3.08%, respectively) were lower than that with lead (0.81%, 1.44%, 2.19% and 3.16%, respectively) (p<0.05). The dose profiles were not significantly different for TCR and lead. The EBF with TCR was up to 17% lower than that with lead. CONCLUSION: TCR has adequate radiation shielding ability for electron beams and could be employed instead of lead. Copyright
BACKGROUND/AIM: A newly-introduced tungsten containing rubber (TCR) is a potentially useful shielding material in electron radiotherapy because it is lead-free, containing as much as 90% fine tungsten powder by weight. This study aimed to investigate the shielding ability of TCR against electron beams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transmission of TCR was measured for energies of 4, 6, 9 and 12 MeV. Dose profiles were measured to compare the TCR and lead. The electron backscatter factor (EBF) was also compared. RESULTS: The transmission of equivalent thickness for 4, 6, 9 and 12 MeV with TCR (0.78%, 1.34%, 2.16% and 3.08%, respectively) were lower than that with lead (0.81%, 1.44%, 2.19% and 3.16%, respectively) (p<0.05). The dose profiles were not significantly different for TCR and lead. The EBF with TCR was up to 17% lower than that with lead. CONCLUSION: TCR has adequate radiation shielding ability for electron beams and could be employed instead of lead. Copyright