Optimization of Beam-Shaping Assemblies for BNCS Using the High-Energy Neutron Sources D-D and D-T

Journal Article · Fri Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2001 · Nuclear Technology

OSTI ID:20822276

Verbeke, Jerome M ^[1]; Chen, Allen S ^[1]; Vujic, Jasmina L ^[1]; Leung, Ka-Ngo ^[2]

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1. University of California, Berkeley (United States)
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (United States)

Boron neutron capture synovectomy is a novel approach for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The goal of the treatment is the ablation of diseased synovial membranes in articulating joints. The treatment of knee joints is the focus of this work. A method was developed, as discussed previously, to predict the dose distribution in a knee joint from any neutron and photon beam spectra incident on the knee. This method is validated and used to design moderators for the deuterium-deuterium (D-D) and deuterium-tritium (D-T) neutron sources. Treatment times >2 h were obtained with the D-D reaction. They could potentially be reduced if the {sup 10}B concentration in the synovium was increased. For D-T neutrons, high therapeutic ratios and treatment times <5 min were obtained for neutron yields of 10{sup 14} s{sup -1}. This treatment time makes the D-T reaction attractive for boron neutron capture synovectomy.

• OSTI ID: 20822276
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 134; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
BEAM SHAPING
BORON
BORON 10
CAPTURE
DEUTERIUM
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NEUTRON SOURCES
NEUTRONS
OPTIMIZATION
PATIENTS
PHOTON BEAMS
RADIATION DOSE DISTRIBUTIONS
RHEUMATIC DISEASES
TRITIUM