Summary:The lesson focuses on bunker design and shielding calculations for HDR brachytherapy treatment rooms. Dr. Claire Dempsey explains the radiation safety and protection requirements needed to ensure that both staff and the public are shielded from radiation exposure. The lesson covers the design of shielding using key concepts such as the linear attenuation equation, primary and secondary barriers, and the isotropic nature of brachytherapy sources, which requires all walls, ceilings, and floors to be treated as primary barriers.
Key factors influencing shielding, like workload, occupancy, and use factors, are discussed, along with methods to validate the design through room surveys. The session also includes a worked example demonstrating how to calculate the necessary wall thickness using concrete or lead for shielding. The importance of correctly validating and adjusting for different radiation sources (e.g., iridium vs. cobalt) is emphasized throughout the lesson.
- Duration: 60 min
- Language: English
- Country: Australia
- Level: Basic
Keywords: brachytherapy, bunker calculations, shielding
