Miniature Radfets--Radioimmuno/Brachytherapy Dosimetry

This project will address the need for real-time, continuous measurement of radiation dose invivo. Single- and dual-dielectric radiation sensing field effect transistor (RADFET) fabrication sequenceswill be developed. A mask set for semiconductor processing will be designed and manufactured. Thesemasks will be used to fabricate both isolated transistors and arrays of RADFETs of both types forevaluation and optimization of the process as well as characterization of the sensors. The process willbe incorporated into an integrated circuit fabrication sequence so that RADFETs and circuits can bemanufactured on a single silicon substrate. Smart radiation sensors, containing a sensor as well asexcitation, control and analog to digital conversion will be developed under Phase II. These chips willbe assembled into a multisite, digital output probe. Each year close to 1 million new cases of cancerare reported in the US alone; nearly 60% or 600,000 of those cases are treated with radiation.Radioimmunoassay therapy (RIT) is currently under investigation and in clinical trials as a novel techniqueof targeting tumors. The instrument will allow real time dose rate and total accumulated dosemeasurements during RIT treatment. This information, unobtainable by any current techniques, willresult in better pre-treatment planning and post-treatment evaluation as well as potential optimizationof radiation exposure during radioimmunotherapy. In addition, the small RADFET sensors can be usedfor brachytherapy stereotactic radiotherapy and on-patient monitoring.