Improving radiation protection in interventional radiology: training video and calculation tool developed

With the help of interventional radiology, certain medical procedures can be carried out in a minimally invasive manner that would previously have required surgery. As ionising radiation is generally used for imaging, the radiation exposure of the medical personnel involved has risen steadily over the years in line with the number of such procedures. In order to improve understanding of the distribution of radiation in the room and thus reduce radiation exposure, GRS scientists have produced a training video and a calculation tool as part of a research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment.

Over the years, interventional procedures have become an integral part of diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. Minimally invasive procedures are carried out using imaging techniques that transmit a kind of live image from the body. Specific examples of such procedures include narrowed coronary arteries, which can trigger coronary heart disease or even a heart attack, certain tumours, or strokes.

Thanks to the progressive improvement of imaging systems and the instruments that complement them, medical personnel can now work with great precision, while at the same time exposing patients to less radiation than during surgical procedures. However, as ionising X-rays are often used for imaging, the increasing frequency of such procedures can also increase the radiation exposure of personnel.

What measures can help to reduce radiation exposure?

In a research project funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, an interdisciplinary team of scientists has therefore investigated the question of how high the exposure of personnel is and what measures can help to reduce radiation exposure. In addition to scientists from GRS, researchers from Augsburg University Hospital, Cologne University Hospital and Mirion Technologies Dosimetry Service were also involved.

They were able to build on the results of a previous project: At that time, a three-dimensional simulation model was developed using Monte Carlo simulations, which can determine the exposure of personnel and allow conclusions to be drawn for the optimisation of radiation protection.

Training video produced for medical personnel

The team was able to visualise the data and geometry from these simulations using the VIRTUS software - so well that they decided to produce not just individual animations, but a complete video from these sequences: "Our training video is aimed at medical personnel, radiation protection experts, medical physicists and other interested groups," says GRS project manager Dr Janis Endres.

„Our training video is aimed at medical personnel, radiation protection experts, medical physicists and other interested groups.“

Dr. Janis Endres,

Projektleiter

The individual sequences can be discussed as part of radiation protection training or within a team in order to optimise behaviour patterns and movement sequences during interventional measures from a radiation protection perspective and to improve the general understanding of the distribution of radiation in the room. "Our focus in the video is particularly on aspects such as the location of a person in the intervention room, the effectiveness of radiation protection equipment, the positioning of the C-arm and the tube voltage," says Janis Endres.

Schulungsvideo Strahlenschutz Interventionelle Radiologie

Excel tool for analysing individual assignments and personnel planning

In addition to the video, the scientists have developed an Excel tool that can be used, among other things, to analyse the personal radiation exposure of medical personnel in the intervention room over longer periods of time. Janis Endres: "Our calculation tool can calculate the parameters of a specific interventional procedure as well as typical interventional procedures. For example, the effectiveness of radiation protection equipment or personal protective equipment can be determined. The tool can be used to analyse personal interventions, but also for personnel planning."

The Excel tool is available for free download in the download container at the right top of this page. The Excel file contains instructions. If you have any difficulties using the tool, please contact info@grs.de.