Methods of in vivo radiation measurement
AssigneeUnited States Department of Energy
InventorsDennis D. Huffman, Robert C. Hughes, Charles A. Kelsey, Richard Lane, Antonio J. Ricco, Jay B. Snelling, Thomas E. Zipperian
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Abstract
Methods of and apparatus for in vivo radiation measurements relay on a MOSFET dosimeter of high radiation sensitivity with operates in both the passive mode to provide an integrated dose detector and active mode to provide an irradiation rate detector. A compensating circuit with a matched unirradiated MOSFET is provided to operate at a current designed to eliminate temperature dependence of the device. Preferably, the MOSFET is rigidly mounted in the end of a miniature catheter and the catheter is implanted in the patient proximate the radiation source.
Claims5
The method for in vivo monitoring of radiation applied to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a radiation source at a fixed location inside the patient's body;
- inserting a radiation sensitive MOSFET inside the patient's body in close proximity to said radiation source, said MOSFET having a threshold voltage that changes in accordance with the cumulative radiation dosage;
- removing said MOSFET from the body after a period of radiation;
- and
- measuring the change in threshold voltage caused by the radiation from said source after said MOSFET has been removed from the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.