Russian Scientists to Help Develop Cancer Treatment Device

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Experts of the National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI) have developed a universal water phantom model that makes it possible to more effectively treat cancer with radiation therapy, the university’s press service said in a statement.

“Radiation therapy is a promising cancer treatment option. The Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is working to develop the unique Gamma Knife precision radiation therapy device. Unlike other similar systems, its gamma radiation sources rotate 360 degrees around the irradiated volume. Special equipment simulating the irradiated body is needed to provide metrological support for the device. This equipment makes it possible to calculate the dose profile accumulating inside the human body as a result of ionizing radiation’s influence during treatment,” the statement reads.

Multipurpose 3D water phantoms are an automated system making it possible to measure the configuration of the dose profile by obtaining data from the ionizing-radiation detector that moves along a preset trajectory inside the irradiated region. Basically, this irradiated region is made up of distilled water that fills vessels made from materials simulating human-body tissues. Their ability to constantly move the detector along a preset path is the main advantage.

The press service’s statement quotes project manager Ilya Rodko, a postgraduate student with the faculty for the construction of devices and equipment, as saying: “As a rule, most mechanical elements of existing universal water phantoms are located inside water tanks. This considerably reduces the system’s service life and limits the sphere of its practical application. The new model’s structural elements responsible for moving the detector are located outside the system. As compared to similar systems, this layout makes it possible to position the detector more quickly and precisely.”