Basic characteristics of Vision badge and its performance as an eye lens dosimeter for endoscopists

Vision badge is an eye lens dosimeter to measureH_p(3). This study aimed to evaluate the basic characteristics of the Vision badge and its performance as an eye lens dosimeter for endoscopists by phantom study. Energy dependence was evaluated by changing the tube voltage to 50 kV (effective energy of 27.9 keV), 80 kV (32.2 keV), and 120 kV (38.7 keV). Dose linearity was evaluated by changing the number of irradiation to 1, 5, and 40 times, which corresponded to 0.53, 5.32, and 21.4 mGy. Batch uniformity was evaluated by calculating the coefficient of variation ofH_p(3) obtained from 10 Vision badges. Angular dependence was evaluated at 0° (perpendicular to the incident direction of x-rays), 30°, 60°, 75°, and 90°. The Vision badge and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter were attached to the inside of the radioprotective glasses, worn on the endoscopist phantom, and theH_p(3) obtained from both dosimeters were compared. TheH_p(3) obtained from the Vision badge with 38.7 keV was 3.8% higher than that with 27.9 keV. The Vision badge showed excellent linearity (R²= 1.00) with the air kerma up to 21.4 mGy. The coefficient of variation of theH_p(3) for 10 Vision badges was 3.47%. The relative dose of the Vision badge decreased as the angle increased up to 75°, but increased at 90°. TheH_p(3) obtained by the OSL dosimeter and the Vision badge were decreased as the endoscopist phantom was turned away from the patient phantom. TheH_p(3) that was obtained by the Vision badge was 35.5%-55.0% less than that obtained by the nanoDot. In conclusion, the Vision badge showed specific angular dependence due to its shape, but satisfactory basic properties were exhibited for all characteristics. In phantom study, the Vision badge showed generally similar trends with the OSL dosimeter.