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Modular Addressable Research Irradiator using Flat Panel X-ray Sources

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-SC0013867
Agency Tracking Number: 218672
Amount: $1,000,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 02b
Solicitation Number: DE-FOA-0001227
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2015
Award Year: 2015
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2015-12-08
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2017-12-07
Small Business Information
9210 Cameron Road Suite 300
Austin, TX 78754-3971
United States
DUNS: 808343607
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Mark Eaton
 Mr.
 (512) 997-7781
 eaton@stellar-micro.com
Business Contact
 Mark Eaton
Title: Mr.
Phone: (512) 997-7781
Email: eaton@stellar-micro.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

"The National Academy of Sciences issued a report in February 2008 detailing isotope replacement priorities in the interests of national security [National Research Council, 2008] . 137Cs used in “self-contained” irradiators was identified as the single most dangerous isotope in the inventory, owing to its long half life 30+ years) and production as cesium chloride salt, which means it can be easily dispersed in a radioactive dispersal device RDD). Two broad classes of irradiators account for essentially all the radioactive material of concern – blood irradiators and research irradiators. Stellarray has other work under way for the development of blood irradiators using novel flat panel x-ray sources. While there are a number of research applications in which alternative irradiators, based on 60Co sources or x-ray tubes, are being used, there remains a persistent preference for cesium-based systems. Two of the main research applications in which cesium systems are used are whole body small animal irradiation for cancer and pharmaceuticals research and cell and other type of sample irradiation for a very broad range of biomedical research needs. These users require systems which are compact, affordable and reliable. In some cases, a high dose rate is required. In others, a precise and uniform dose distribution is essential. Irradiators using point source x-ray tubes have been unable to address many of these needs. Both the technical and product configuration requirements are therefore more challenging than is the case with blood irradiators. Stellarray proposes the development and deployment of three versions of a modular, addressable research irradiator MARI) based on the company’s previous development of flat panel x- ray sources FPXS), including a digitally addressable x-ray source DAXS). FPXS panels are designed for highly uniform flux emission across a broad surface and sustained operation at high power levels. The design of all three systems will be modular, in that sources incorporating their own high voltage power supply and insulating oil can be plugged into the irradiator. The first version will be a bench-top system incorporating pairs of FPXS, with each able to deliver dose rates of 25 Gy/min at 160 kVp, for fast, uniform irradiation of small animals and other larger subjects. The second will be a larger, more highly-shielded orthovoltage system capable of delivering x-ray energies up to 350 kV, for further increases in depth dose uniformity and approximation of isotope energies. The third will be a small, digital version in which x-ray pixels can be addressed to emit x-ray flux to precise spots on the micro-titer plates e.g. 96-well plate) commonly used in biomedical research.

MARI can become a substantial business since it has been designed with user needs clearly in mind. The first two versions will be an efficient, convenient choice for the irradiation of small animals and large samples, while the digital version should be very popular since it will enable irradiation research to use the vast infrastructure for micro-titer laboratory automation. MARI will be priced attractively for a reasonable cost of ownership. The use of the right source will also make MARI systems highly reliable, so they can displace isotope irradiators.
"

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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