Electronic Polymer Dosimeter for Radiotherapy (EPDR)

Background Information:

A need exists for precisely detecting real time dose radiation delivered during radiotherapy oncology treatments. Current state-of-the art treatment methods such as proton radiotherapy require the precise delivery of high radiation into specific cells while avoiding healthy cells, therefore requiring patients to withstand long periods of limited movement. Depending on the treatment area, general anesthesia or physical restraints may be used to limit movement and ensure precise delivery, resulting in increased cost and potentially adverse patient experiences. While camera-based sensing can be used to sense movement and halt radiation delivery if needed, these methods alone are unable to detect how much radiation was misplaced or at what dosage.

Sandia National Laboratories has developed a small-scale, wearable patch sensor capable of detecting and measuring ionizing radiation such as those used in radiotherapy treatments. The device consists of a specialized, radiation-detecting polymer and flexible electrodes embedded into a layered wearable material. Upon interacting with protons, the device produces real time electrical response data that can be used to guide the delivery of radiation by detecting when it is no longer in the targeted area. During radiotherapy treatments, the information can be displayed in a readout to determine which tissues the radiation penetrated and at what levels.

Technology Highlights:

• Low-cost solution for precise radiotherapy delivery
• Improved experience for diverse populations (i.e. pediatrics)
• Small-scale wearable device

Potential Applications:

• Radiation detection for medical and non-medical use
• Healthcare oncology (human and/or veterinarian)

Opportunity Description:

SNL is seeking partners to further develop and commercialize this EPDR technology. Licensing (with the possibility of deferred fees) and technical support (paid by Licensee) are available.

Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-mission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Primary Point of Contact:

Tristan J. Mahyera

Licensing Executive

Sandia National Laboratories
tmahyer@sandia.gov

Keywords:

Radiation detection, wearable, sensors, medical, healthcare, oncology