3-D in-body dose monitor for FLASH proton radiation
3D In vivo dosimetry for FLASH proton therapy
This project is creating a 3-D in-body device that monitors the radiation dose delivered during ultra-fast 'FLASH' proton therapy for adult cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167545 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I were getting proton FLASH therapy, this project would build a device that listens for tiny sound waves produced when radiation hits tissue and combines that with ultrasound to make a 3-D map of dose inside my body. The team will develop a protoacoustic/ultrasound dual-modality imaging system (PUDIS) and test it through laboratory and preclinical work with academic and industry partners. They plan to ensure the system can handle the ultra-high dose rates of FLASH and provide accurate volumetric dose information that current dosimeters cannot. The aim is to ready this technology for clinical use within several years to improve safety and precision of proton FLASH treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adult cancer patients treated with or planned for proton FLASH therapy at centers offering experimental or early-phase FLASH protocols.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving proton or FLASH radiation (for example those treated with conventional photon RT), pediatric patients if the device is tuned for adults, or those unable to access participating proton centers may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make proton FLASH therapy safer and more precise by confirming the actual 3-D dose delivered inside the body during ultra-fast treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Protoacoustic dosimetry has shown promising results in laboratory and preclinical work, but full 3-D in vivo dosimetry for clinical proton FLASH remains largely novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiang, Shawn Liangzhong — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Xiang, Shawn Liangzhong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.