Application of polymer composite material for radiation protection of infusion pumps

Abstract

Certain cancer patients benefit from chemoradiotherapy that simultaneously applies radiation therapy and chemotherapy to targeted tissue. Infusion pumps administer the chemical agents for chemotherapy. Inadvertently during the treatment, radiation penetrating into the infusion pumps may damage the internal solid state, integrated circuit chips. Such defects may result in inaccurate dosing. Although the manuals for infusion pumps from the manufacturers warn against device use in radiological environments, the devices continue to be used during chemoradiotherapy. Proper shielding of the devices during exposure to radiation could minimize risk of device malfunction. Lead shielding has disadvantages of toxicity, weight, and bulkiness. In this study we have researched and tested potential non-lead composites for shielding. Micro particles of Bismuth (III) oxide (BO) were impregnated into two materials at various percent weights: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Polyurethane Elastomer (PU). PDMS/BO samples attenuated X-rays of 52 kVp at 4 mm thickness. PU/BO attenuated X-rays of 52kVp at 3 mm thickness. The addition of BO to industry plastics shows promise toward use as shield to reduce risk of X-ray induced defects for infusion pumps within diagnostic ranges of radiation (1-150kVp). More development and testing are necessary to explore the effectiveness of the material at therapeutic levels (>150kVp) and to expand the potential clinical applications.

Designing Flexible Shield From Lead With High Protection Against X-rays in Operating Room Using Monte Carlo Simulation

“…For 100 keV X-rays, the results obtained from this study showed that the greatest decrease in the intensity of the rays is related to the weight compound of 80% lead and 20% polyvinyl chloride, which significantly reduces the flux of passing photons at energy levels above 80 keV. These findings illustrated that the efficiency of the composite-type shields is more dependent on the photon beam energy than on lead-only type shields, as shown in previous research (11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

“…A composite material is a physical compound at a macroscopic scale that is obtained from two or more different materials. In the simplest form, a composite includes a polymer base and one or more components that function as fillers (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Review of Design and Implementation of Automated Drugs Mixer

“…The design worked well when compared to significantly more expensive commercial models allowing nearly limitless customization and so should suit the requirements of a certain research activity needing a syringe pump only opensource hardware and software were chosen since they were freely available for pump design and construction, further validating the use of open-source approaches in the creation of laboratory equipment suitable for research. I. L. Grassetti et al [8]. have investigated the need for x-ray shielding for infusion pumps exposed to radiation; therefore, a safer and more costeffective shielding approach is required.…”

Design and Development of a Low cost, Smart Infusion Pump to deliver Medications for patients Using LabVIEW Interface with Arduino

“…The patient's condition is not totally monitored in critical situations in intensive care units. [10] Isabella L. Grassetti, et.al, have discussed that infusion pumps exposed to radiation must be protected from the x-rays, so an alter method is essential for shielding which is safer and economical. So, a casing material is given with the composites to reduce the risk factor.…”