Real-time optical oximetry during FLASH radiotherapy using a phosphorescent nanoprobe

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Ultra-high dose rate irradiation causes rapid oxygen depletion in biological tissues.
• Accurate measurement of these rapid changes is crucial for understanding radiobiological effects.
• Existing oximetry methods lack the necessary temporal resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a high-temporal-resolution system for measuring oxygen depletion kinetics.
• To assess the performance of a water-soluble phosphorescent nanoprobe for in vitro oximetry.
• To demonstrate the capability of measuring oxygen dynamics during ultra-high dose rate irradiation.

Main Methods:

• Development of a water-soluble phosphorescent nanoprobe.
• Design and construction of a fiber-coupled instrument for phosphorescence measurements.
• Irradiation of in vitro solutions with ultra-high dose rates.
• Measurement of oxygen depletion kinetics at a sampling rate of 200 Hz.

Main Results:

• The developed nanoprobe and instrument system successfully measured oxygen depletion kinetics.
• High temporal resolution (200 Hz) allowed for detailed observation of rapid oxygen changes.
• The system demonstrated feasibility for in vitro studies under irradiation.

Conclusions:

• This phosphorescent nanoprobe and fiber-coupled instrument system provides a viable solution for high-temporal-resolution tissue oximetry.
• The technology enables precise measurement of oxygen dynamics during ultra-high dose rate irradiation.
• Further applications in radiobiology and radiation therapy are anticipated.