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The munich fission neutron therapy facility MEDAPP at the research reactor FRM II

Münchener Reaktorneutronentherapieeinrichtung MEDAPP am Forschungsreaktor FRM II

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Abstract

Purpose

At the new research reactor FRM II of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the facility for Medical Applications (MEDAPP) was installed where fast neutrons are available as a beam for medical use.

Material and Methods

Thermal neutrons induce fission in a pair of uranium converter plates and generate fast neutrons which are guided to the patient by a beam tube. The maximum opening of the multi leaf collimator (MLC) is 30 × 20 cm2 W × H. The beam is characterized by neutron-photon mixed beam phantom dosimetry. Specific safety measures are outlined.

Results

The neutron and gamma dose rates are 0.52 Gy/min and 0.20 Gy/min, respectively, in 2 cm depth of a water phantom. The half maximum depth of the neutron dose rate in water is 5.4 cm (mean neutron energy 1.9 ± 0.1 MeV). Conformity with the European Medical Devices Directive (MDD) 93/42/EEG, was proven so that MEDAPP has a CE mark and since February 2007 also the license for clinical operation.

Conclusion

The clinical neutron irradiations of malignant tumors, which were performed at the former research reactor FRM until 2000, can be continued at FRM II under improved conditions. First patients were irradiated in June 2007.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Am Forschungsreaktor FRM II der Technischen Universität München (TUM) wurde mit der Sondereinrichtung MEDAPP ein Strahl schneller Reaktorneutronen für medizinische Nutzung zur Verfügung gestellt.

Material und Methodik

Thermische Neutronen induzieren in einem Paar von Konverterplatten Uranspaltungen und erzeugen schnelle Neutronen, die durch ein Strahlrohr zum Patienten geleitet werden. Die maximale Öffnung des Lamellenkollimators ist 30 × 20 cm2 (B × H). Der Strahl wurde durch Dosimetrie des Neutron-Gamma-Mischfeldes im Phantom charakterisiert. Spezifische Sicherheitsmaßnahmen werden genannt.

Ergebnisse

Die Neutronen- und Gammadosisleistung in 2 cm Tiefe eines Wasserphantoms sind 0,52 Gy/min bzw. 0,20 Gy/min. Die Halbwerttiefe der Neutronendosisleistung beträgt 5,4 cm (mittlere Neutronenenergie 1,9 ± 0,1 MeV). Die Konformität mit der Direktive MDD 93/42/EEG des Medizinproduktegesetzes wurde nachewiesen, so dass MEDAPP ein CE-Zeichen hat und seit Februar 2007 auch die Genehmigung für die Anwendung in der Therapie des Menschen.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Neutronenbestrahlungen, die am früheren Forschungsreaktor München FRM bis Juli 2000 durchgeführt wurden, können am FRM II unter verbesserten Bedingungen fortgesetzt werden. Die ersten Patienten wurden im Juni 2007 bestrahlt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forschungsneutronenquell Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany

    Franz M. Wagner, Anton Kastenmüller, Birgit Loeper-Kabasakal, Severin Kampfer, Harald Breitkreutz, Wolfgang Waschkowski & Winfried Petry

  2. Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie und radiologische Onkologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany

    Peter Kneschaurek, Severin Kampfer & Michael Molls

  3. Forschungsneutronenquelle Heinz Meier-Leibnitz (FRM II), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 1, 85747, Garching, Germany

    Franz M. Wagner

Authors
  1. Franz M. Wagner
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  2. Peter Kneschaurek
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  3. Anton Kastenmüller
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  4. Birgit Loeper-Kabasakal
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  5. Severin Kampfer
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  6. Harald Breitkreutz
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  7. Wolfgang Waschkowski
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  8. Michael Molls
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  9. Winfried Petry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Franz M. Wagner.

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Wagner, F.M., Kneschaurek, P., Kastenmüller, A. et al. The munich fission neutron therapy facility MEDAPP at the research reactor FRM II. Strahlenther Onkol 184, 643–646 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-008-1878-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-008-1878-3

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