Radiation Physics

Radiation Physics Division looks after the maintenance and quality control of Radiotherapy equipment and quality control of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine equipment. This division is responsible for the dosimetry of radiotherapy patients and also caters to the radiation protection of the institution. It is involved in teaching undergraduate and PG students and also undertakes research in medical radiation physics.

The following equipments are available in the division:

1. Precise linear accelerator from M/S ELEKTA with dual photons (6 & 15 MV) and 6 electron energies (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 MeV) this has 80 leaves multi leaf collimator (MLC) assembly and portal imaging system.  
   
2. CLINAC iX linear accelerator with dual photons (6 & 15 MV) and   six electron energies (4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 MeV). This has 120 leaves MLC and additional MICRO MLC (3 mm) From M/S Brainlab. This LINAC can do IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, SRS AND SRT
   
3. Two 6MV Linear Accelerators with 80 Leaves MLC. One has Portal Imaging facility; both from M/s Varian.  
   
4. One Co-60 teletherapy unit THERATRON 780C From M/s Theratronics Ltd.
    
5. One ‘SYNERGY’ Linear Accelerator from M/s Elekta with dual photons (4 & 6MV) and seven electron energies (4,6,8,10,12,15,18 MeV). The unit has 160 leaves (5mm) ’Agility” MLC.
   
6. Four treatment planning systems- ‘Precise Plan’ and ‘Oncentra’ from M/s Elekta, ‘Eclipse’ from M/s Varian, ‘iPlan’ from M/s BrainLab.
   
7. MicroSelectron HDR (V3) 18 channel Brachytherapy Unit
   
8. Radiotherapy simulator from M/s Elekta with aSi Flat panel detector.
   
9. CT Simulator 16 Slice ‘Optima 580W’ from M/s GE Medical Systems.
   
10. Mould Room Facility
11. All Quality Assurance Tools like Dosimeters, Radiation Field Analysers Etc.

• Isocentric C Arm X Ray with Ii for Brachytherapy
• Mobile X-ray
• Immobilisation Devices
• Contour Plotter
• Mantle Cutter
• Radiation safety Instruments
• Calibration Instruments
• Maintenance Tools
• Quality control equipment

The faculty is involved in teaching students of MBBS, MD, MDS, MSc, DRT etc. This division is a research centre for PhD students of University of Kerala & Mahatma Gandhi University.

The division is involved in the following teaching programs:

The division conducts a one year post MSc Diploma (Dip RP) course in Medical Radiation Physics with one year internship under Kerala University of Health Sciences.

1. Design, development and evaluation of indigenous computer controlled remote after loading system        for the treatment of Cancer of Uterine Cervix.
2. Studies on the physical parameters in the treatment of malignant disease by using external beams.
3. Design, fabrication & dosimetric aspects of beam modifying devices in radio therapy.
4. Quality control & physical parameters in diagnostic units.
5. Ultrasound & radionuclide imaging of the renal system- physical & clinical studies.
6. Design & development of a balloon device and its evaluation in patients with cancer of the uterine cervix undergoing HDR brachytherapy.

1. Calibration, dosimetry & safety in brachytherapy techniques in the         treatment of malignant diseases
2. Development of a quality assurance protocol, dose        measurement and radiation safety evaluation in ct scanners
3. Modification of radiotherapy by physical parameters
4. Design and fabrication of a Head Phantom for dosimetric verification of radiotherapy treatment plans.
5. Design and development of Quality Assurance protocol for ultrasound Imaging.
6. Evaluation of different radiotherapy treatment planning systems and dose calculation algorithms for the management of breast cancer
7. Mathematical modelling and evaluation of treatment supporting and QA tools in radiotherapy

Several projects were undertaken with funding made available by external agencies like ICMR, AERB, HRF, Japan etc. Projects Completed:

• Fabrication & evaluation of pencil shields for Co60 & 4MV XRAYS
• Development of indigenous wedge filters for Co60 & 4MV XRAYS
• Development of indigenous remote after loader (LDR)
• Dose measurement in patients undergoingdiagnostic X RAY exam including special investigations
• Dosimetry of early Head & Neck Cancers, Mantle Field & CA CX treatment with special ref to radiation protection
• Cytogenetic effects of radiotherapy in patients of carcinoma of uterine cervix

• Natural background radiation studies in Karunagappally.
• Design and development of Integrated and state-of-the-art brachytherapy Simulator for cancer treatment