Transmission Calorimeter for Measuring Dose of Radiation

An apparatus for measuring the intensity of radiation as a function of depth comprising:

• a plurality of transmission calorimeters, each of which includes a core for receiving and transmitting said radiation along a radiation path which passes through said core and at least one sensor for measuring a temperature change of the core,
• wherein the energy of said radiation absorbed by the transmission calorimeter is less than or equal to the energy that would be absorbed by transmitting said radiation through 2 mm of water,
• wherein said plurality of transmission calorimeters are arranged in series along said radiation path and including a material between each calorimeter, and
• wherein the material has an absorption effect on the radiation.

An apparatus for treating a patient with radiation comprising:

• (a) an inlet for receiving radiation, an outlet for dispensing radiation, a radiation path from the inlet to the outlet, and a beam guide for guiding radiation through said apparatus from the inlet to the outlet along said radiation path;
• and
• (b) a transmission calorimeter comprising a core for receiving and transmitting said radiation along said radiation path which passes through said core and at least one sensor for measuring a temperature change of the core,
• wherein the energy of said radiation absorbed by the transmission calorimeter is less than or equal to the energy that would be absorbed by transmitting said radiation through 2 mm of water,
• wherein said transmission calorimeter is located between the inlet and the outlet along said radiation path or
• wherein the transmission calorimeter is located downstream of the outlet.

A method of measuring a dose of a beam of radiation, comprising the steps of:

• (a)) providing radiation;
• (b) directing the radiation at a transmission calorimeter, wherein the transmission calorimeter comprises
• a core for receiving and transmitting said radiation;
• and
• at least one sensor for measuring a temperature change of the core,
• wherein the energy of said radiation absorbed by the transmission calorimeter is less than or equal to the energy that would be absorbed by transmitting said radiation through 2 mm of water,
• wherein the radiation passes through and exits the core of said transmission calorimeter and causes the temperature of the core to change;
• and
• (c) measuring said temperature change and using said change to calculate said dose of the radiation.

A method of measuring a dose of a beam of radiation comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing radiation;
• (b) directing the radiation at a transmission calorimeter wherein said transmission calorimeter comprises
• a core for receiving and transmitting said radiation wherein the path of the radiation to and from said core defines a radiation path;
• an at least one sensor for measuring a temperature change of the core;
• a body which is not located on or in said radiation path and which body is thermally insulated from the core, and
• at least one sensor for measuring a temperature change of the body,
• wherein the energy of said radiation absorbed by the transmission calorimeter is less than or equal to the energy that would be absorbed by transmitting said radiation through 2 mm of water,
• wherein the radiation passes through and exits the core of said transmission calorimeter but does not pass through said body and causes the temperature of the core to change;
• (c) measuring a temperature change of the core;
• (d) measuring a temperature change of said body and using said change to calculate a change in the temperature of the core caused by ambient temperature changes;
• and
• (e) calculating the dose of the radiation based on the change in temperature of the core caused by said radiation.