Transmission Ionization Chamber for the Ultra-High Dose Rate Range and Associated Method for Manufacture and Use

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The invention describes a transmission ionization chamber specifically designed for ultra-high dose applications, such as advanced radiotherapy. It features a modular, shielded housing with a precisely spaced pair of metal-coated plastic foil electrodes, separated by an insulating ring. The design minimizes saturation effects and ensures accurate radiation dosimetry at extremely high dose rates. The chamber is manufactured cost-effectively using additive (3D printing) techniques and can be customized as needed.

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• Real-time monitoring and control of radiation dosage during FLASH (ultra-high dose rate) radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
• Accurate and robust radiation dosimetry in clinical and research settings involving proton or high-energy particle beams.
• Quality assurance and calibration of medical accelerators delivering ultra-high dose rates.
• Advanced radiation safety monitoring in environments using high-energy ionizing radiation.
• Development and testing of new radiation delivery protocols requiring ultra-high dose precision.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides highly accurate and linear radiation dose measurements up to 380 Gy/s, minimizing saturation errors (<1%).
• Enables safe application of FLASH radiotherapy, potentially reducing side effects in cancer treatment while maintaining tumor control.
• Cost-effective manufacturing through additive production techniques, making the device more accessible.
• Design minimizes interference with therapeutic beams, preserving dose integrity and patient safety.
• Modular construction allows easy customization and adaptation for different clinical or research requirements.
• Reduces need for frequent recalibration, improving reliability and workflow in high-dose radiation environments.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a transmission ionization chamber for the ultra-high-dose range, at least comprising an outer modular housing (1a, 1b) for shielding, which is equipped with shielding films for the passage of the ionizing radiation, and an inner modular housing (2a, 2b) made of a material having a resistivity of ≥ 107 Ω·cm. The inner housing comprises form-locking retainers (2a, 2b) for two electrodes. The electrodes are produced from metal-coated plastic films and are electrically separated and spaced apart by means of an insulating ring (3) made of electrically insulating material, the insulating ring being disposed between the electrodes and, according to the invention, having a thickness in a range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The electrodes and shielding films are stretched out on carrier rings. A signal line and a voltage line for the electrodes and a ground line for the outer housing and for the shielding films are also comprised. For use in the ultra-high-dose range, the transmission ionization chamber is operated at a voltage of ≥ 300 V. The method according to the invention for producing the transmission ionization chamber for the ultra-high-dose range is characterized by the pretensioning of the films for the electrodes and the shielding films, which are subsequently glued to carrier rings. Furthermore, according to the invention the inner housing is to be additively manufactured.