New Technology Reduces Risk of Radiation Burn

The system was developed to be used as a retrofit with existing fluoroscopy units or to be included in the design of new machines. The research team is in the process of completing a prototype that will be clinically tested on-site before marketing the system.

Developing the technology was prompted by a growing awareness among medical specialists that occasional but severe radiation-induced skin injuries have occurred during prolonged, fluoroscopically guided invasive procedures.

"With the equipment that currently is being used, the physician can minimize the chance for burns by moving the x-ray source instead of keeping the intensity on one spot. The problem is that the physician is concentrating on the surgery and with x-rays coming in, he or she would have to be keeping mental track of where the dose is occurring at the same time,” explained Darold Wobschall, Ph.D., UB professor emeritus of electrical engineering and president of Esensors. "Our system solves that problem.”

Through the electronic sensors, the system tracks the position of the x-ray gantry and patient table, and therefore, the position of the x-ray relative to the patient to determine the radiation exposure at the patient's skin, he said. "The computer tracks the beam's location and intensity, presenting the beam and the cumulative distribution of dose on the patient's skin as a color-coded graphic on a display screen.”

As the dose accumulates, the color on the display changes from green, which is acceptable, through yellow to red, which is a sign that the patient could be receiving too much radiation. This x-ray beam visualization and its location with regard to a graphic model of the patient presents clinicians with real-time visual feedback, allowing them to make the correct adjustments.



Related Links:
University at Buffalo