A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization

Different types of radiation cause varying levels of biological damage, even when the physical dose is the same, due to the unique way energy is distributed at the subcellular level. The MUSICA project is focused on creating an innovative detector that not only provides quantitative dosimetric data...

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Main Authors: Anna Bianchi, Anna Selva, Massimo Rossignoli, Valeria Conte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsens.2025.1587646/full
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author Anna Bianchi
Anna Selva
Massimo Rossignoli
Valeria Conte
author_facet Anna Bianchi
Anna Selva
Massimo Rossignoli
Valeria Conte
author_sort Anna Bianchi
collection DOAJ
description Different types of radiation cause varying levels of biological damage, even when the physical dose is the same, due to the unique way energy is distributed at the subcellular level. The MUSICA project is focused on creating an innovative detector that not only provides quantitative dosimetric data but also qualitative insights. These qualitative insights are derived from measuring physical parameters that are linked to biological effectiveness. This approach, particularly in proton therapy, aims to enhance treatment precision and improve clinical outcomes. Radiation damage occurs through processes at multiple scales, from the DNA level (2 nm) to the entire cell nucleus (10 μm). The stochastic spatial distribution of energy deposition can be studied using microdosimetric techniques with tissue-equivalent gas proportional counters (TEPC). While many studies employing TEPCs have examined sites smaller than 2 μm (such as chromosomes), characterization at the 10 μm scale has typically been performed useing solid-state detectors. However, gas microdosimeters provide benefits in terms of sensitivity, geometry, and tissue equivalence, making it highly advantageous to conduct multi-site characterization using a single detector. The project has developed a TEPC with two charge collection zones, allowing for the definition of two different volume sizes (e.g., 1 and 10 μm) without changing the gas pressure. This will enable dual-dimension microdosimetric characterization in a single measurement session without switching detectors. The resulting bi-dimensional data will be integrated into new radiobiological models that link physical measurements to biological outcomes, enhancing our understanding of how ionizing radiation affects living tissue.
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spelling doaj-art-a4da650e602f492fb975bfdff11aede72025-08-20T03:17:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sensors2673-50672025-04-01610.3389/fsens.2025.15876461587646A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterizationAnna BianchiAnna SelvaMassimo RossignoliValeria ConteDifferent types of radiation cause varying levels of biological damage, even when the physical dose is the same, due to the unique way energy is distributed at the subcellular level. The MUSICA project is focused on creating an innovative detector that not only provides quantitative dosimetric data but also qualitative insights. These qualitative insights are derived from measuring physical parameters that are linked to biological effectiveness. This approach, particularly in proton therapy, aims to enhance treatment precision and improve clinical outcomes. Radiation damage occurs through processes at multiple scales, from the DNA level (2 nm) to the entire cell nucleus (10 μm). The stochastic spatial distribution of energy deposition can be studied using microdosimetric techniques with tissue-equivalent gas proportional counters (TEPC). While many studies employing TEPCs have examined sites smaller than 2 μm (such as chromosomes), characterization at the 10 μm scale has typically been performed useing solid-state detectors. However, gas microdosimeters provide benefits in terms of sensitivity, geometry, and tissue equivalence, making it highly advantageous to conduct multi-site characterization using a single detector. The project has developed a TEPC with two charge collection zones, allowing for the definition of two different volume sizes (e.g., 1 and 10 μm) without changing the gas pressure. This will enable dual-dimension microdosimetric characterization in a single measurement session without switching detectors. The resulting bi-dimensional data will be integrated into new radiobiological models that link physical measurements to biological outcomes, enhancing our understanding of how ionizing radiation affects living tissue.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsens.2025.1587646/fullmicrodosimetryTEPCmulti-site microdosimetryradiation qualityproton therapyhadron therapy
spellingShingle Anna Bianchi
Anna Selva
Massimo Rossignoli
Valeria Conte
A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization
Frontiers in Sensors
microdosimetry
TEPC
multi-site microdosimetry
radiation quality
proton therapy
hadron therapy
title A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization
title_full A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization
title_fullStr A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization
title_full_unstemmed A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization
title_short A multi-site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization
title_sort multi site microdosimeter for clinical beam characterization
topic microdosimetry
TEPC
multi-site microdosimetry
radiation quality
proton therapy
hadron therapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsens.2025.1587646/full
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