Project Overview

The main goal of this project is design a device which will localize X-ray beams during radiation oncology therapy. Our advisor, Dr. Jacob Houghton, researches X-ray beams as method for cancer treatment in a mouse model. However, the X-ray field is not specific to certain regions, which may lead to radiation toxicity and DNA damage.

To localize the X-ray beams, we have designed a lead shield which has apertures for different parts of the mouse body including the brain, lungs, and hip. These apertures have lead plugs which the user can put in place to completely block the X-ray beams or adjust the aperture size of the treatment area. Our main goal is to demonstrate a 90-95% attenuation of the X-ray beams at non-target sites, which leads to accurate beam focusing and decreased radiation toxicity.

We have chosen lead because it has been proven to be a relatively inexpensive material which is both effective in blocking X-ray beams and is not reactive with ionizing radiation. Our device will be fabricating using Silicone molding and casting using a molten lead-bismuth alloy to fabricate the body and plugs.