Project: Metrology for advanced radiotherapy using particle beams with ultra-high pulse dose rates

Acronym UHDpulse (Reference Number: 18HLT04)
Duration 01/09/2019 - 31/08/2022
Project Topic To improve cancer survival rates, radiotherapy technologies are being developed using laser accelerated particle beams. These ultra-high pulse dose rate (UHPDR) devices produce fast pulses of radiation, an approach known as FLASH radiotherapy, shown experimentally to be effective with lesser side effects than current radiotherapies using similar overall doses but longer exposures. Before clinical use, effectiveness must be compared with other radiation therapies, requiring tools to establish traceability for measurements of absorbed dose. Accurate dosimetry is also required for personalised radiotherapies. The project will develop a measurement framework, encompassing reference standards traceable to SI units and validated reference methods for UHPDR dose measurements. It will also characterise detector systems, develop traceable and validated methods for relative dosimetry, characterise stray radiation, and contribute to codes of practice. Outcomes will be promoted to standards organisations, international agencies, manufacturers, and end users. The framework will encourage development of novel laser-driven medical accelerators. Ultimately, the aim is confidence that patients will receive their prescribed dose, for safer, cost effective, cancer treatments.
Website visit project website
Network EMPIR
Call EMPIR Call 2018

Project partner

Number Name Role Country
1 Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Coordinator Germany
2 Cesky Metrologicky Institut Partner Czech Republic
3 Central Office of Measures Partner Poland
4 Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS Partner Switzerland
5 NPL Management Limited Partner United Kingdom
6 ADVACAM, s.r.o. Partner Czech Republic
7 Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois Partner Switzerland
8 Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Partner Spain
9 Institut Curie Partner France
10 Fyzikální ústav AV ČR, v.v.i. Partner Czech Republic
11 Politecnico di Milano Partner Italy
12 Queen's University of Belfast Partner United Kingdom
13 Ústav jaderné fyziky AV ČR, v.v.i. Partner Czech Republic
14 Universidad de Santiago de Compostela Partner Spain
15 Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf e. V. Observer Germany
16 PTW-Freiburg Physikalisch-Technische Werkstätten Dr. Pychlau GmbH Observer Germany