A study of a normoxic polymer gel dosimeter comprising methacrylic acid, gelatin and tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (MAGAT)

In this study, the response to ionsing radiation of the normoxic polymer gel dosimeter comprising tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) with methacrylic acid (MAA) and gelatin, named MAGAT, has been investigated. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the R2-dose response or change in R2 (ΔR2) is evaluated for different concentrations of the component chemicals: THPC, MAA, gelatin and hydroquinone (HQ). The formulation for which the MAGAT polymer gel dosimeter had a maximum response was determined, and the spatial and temporal stability for this formulation analyzed. It was found that the formulation that provided the greatest change in R2 was 10 mM THPC, 0–0.05 mM HQ, 6–7% gelatin and 4–6% MAA (evaluated one day post-irradiation). MAGAT polymer gel dosimeters comprising 10 mM THPC, 0.05 mM HQ, 6–9% MAA and 4–6% gelatin have shown potential for use in radiation therapy dosimetry.