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Implantable self-powered detector for on-line determination of neutron flux in patients during NCT treatment.

Miller ME, Mariani LE, Gonçalves-Carralves ML, Skumanic M, Thorp SI

Instrumentation and Control Department, Division of Nuclear Reactors and Power Plants Activities, National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), Av. Del Libertador 8250, C1429BNP, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. miller@cae.cnea.gov.ar

A novel system to determine thermal neutron flux in real time during NCT treatments was developed in the National Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina. The system is based on a special self-powered detector that can be implanted in patients owing to its small size and biocompatibility. High voltage is not required to operate this kind of detectors, which is a considerable advantage in terms of medical uses. By choosing the appropriate materials, it was possible to obtain a prototype with thermal neutron sensitivity providing for an adequate signal level in typical NCT thermal fluxes. It was also possible to minimize gamma response in order to neglect its contribution.

Published 13 August 2004 in Appl Radiat Isot, 61(5): 1033-7.
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