A dosimetry innovation using hybrid pixel detectors in interventional theatres

Abstract

Abstract Healthcare professionals using fluoroscopic imaging systems rank among the most highly exposed workers to ionising radiations, yet current radiation protection detectors fail to provide accurate measurements in these scenarios. The pulsed structure of the X-ray beam produced by these medical devices poses significant challenges to conventional instruments in measuring and characterising time-structured radiation fields. Furthermore, radiation protection detectors consistently overestimate staff exposure at these low energies (< 100 keV) due to the inherent limitations of the dosimetric system currently in-use. In this study, we present a new hybrid pixel detector, originally developed for particle tracking and timing measurements in high-energy physics experiments at CERN, to overcome the above-mentioned challenges. By integrating single-photon energy measurement and precise timing capabilities, the detector enables highly accurate dose quantification across a broad range of diagnostic X-ray conditions while simultaneously resolving the spectral structure of radiation fields. Our findings demonstrate the detector’s suitability for advanced dosimetry assessment in clinical environments. It uniquely measures photon fluence and energy spectra in clinical X-ray fields, enabling accurate, pulse-independent determination of any exposure-related quantity. By giving access to fundamental radiation field parameters, this work lays the foundation for next-generation detectors that enhance staff safety and advance radiation epidemiology.