Miniscule device gets injected into tumors, tracks radiation dosage

Gurus at Purdue University have conjured up a prototype device which, when injected into a tumor, can actually track the "precise dose of radiation received and locate the exact position [of the tumor] during treatment." Currently, the needle-sized device is held within a hermetically sealed glass capillary, contains a miniature radiation dosimeter, operates without batteries and instead relies on "electrical coils placed next to the patient" for activation. As small as the RFID-enabled unit is, engineers are still hoping to create a version that is around the size of a grain of rice, and hopes are to have it in clinical trials in 2010.

[Via Physorg]

[KangMin @ Apr 8th 2008 9:14PM]

I dont get it, could somebody explain this to me?
if you could place it in a tumor, doesnt that mean you already know the position of the tumor?

[Tyler @ Apr 8th 2008 9:36PM]

Yes and no. Placement is a gross position thing; you simply use a radiography guided needle to place the probe in roughly the center of the tumor. The positioning comes into play when actual radiotherapy is used. It relays positional information (similar to GPS theory) back to the computers, allowing for precision use of radiation.

[dajimmers @ Apr 8th 2008 11:22PM]

To add to what Tyler said- imagine the tumor is in front of your heart. Radiation therapy takes awhile, and every heartbeat and breath moves the tumor, so you have to balance missing the tumor with zapping your heart. Having a target like this sensor gives you something akin to image stabilization, or laser-guided missiles. At least that's how I understand it.

[peshue @ Apr 8th 2008 9:26PM]

What's that? You're a douchebag? Don't worry we already know.

[mattwier @ Apr 8th 2008 9:26PM]

GOOOOODDDDDDD DAMMMMMNNNNIITTTTTT.

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 8th 2008 9:29PM]

:S What are you guys talking about I thought it was really interesting what happened to the tumor!!

[Luke @ Apr 8th 2008 9:34PM]

What a loser! You stink Mr. McDonald... you and your fast food!

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 8th 2008 9:35PM]

its MAC donald spelled with a SMALL d, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!

[Leo @ Apr 9th 2008 8:50AM]

Everyone on teh internetz is so pissy. Look McDonald - chillax for 5 minutes.... and then make your mind up - do you want to want to have a farm or do you want to get your bitcha ass back in the kitchen and get me a Big Mac, fries and a coke?


Thats right. If you're on the internet - you WILL get the piss taken out of you. (Hence, lighten up. life's too short. Unless you're immortal like Christopher Lambert. Although he would die if his head was cut off. Train of thought now crashing...)

[Bite my  @ Apr 8th 2008 9:41PM]

Psh! Whatever MAC

[DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Apr 8th 2008 9:42PM]

I always have JavaScript disabled unless I know the site needs it...

Your rickroll is fail. (Just like this comment)

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 8th 2008 9:44PM]

actually you sort of fail for having to turn on javascript all the time

[DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Apr 8th 2008 9:47PM]

Yeah, comment failed as expected... damn comment system :-P

Actually - no. You'd be surprised of how much websites work perfectly with JS and plug-ins disabled (the difference is actually quite pleasurable: instead of ads you only see gray squares :D )

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 8th 2008 9:50PM]

omg they deleted it!!

[DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Apr 8th 2008 11:00PM]

Yes, they deleted it indeed....

You're 100% pwnt. (And I feel your pain, now my comment is floating free on the cyberspace totally unrelated to the rest of the comments..)

[FThorn @ Apr 8th 2008 9:57PM]

go boilers

[david @ Apr 8th 2008 10:17PM]

boiler up!

[Bite my  @ Apr 8th 2008 10:21PM]

how do i change my user pic from this default one? Where's the log in for members? Someone tell me pls

[Dolemite @ Apr 8th 2008 10:47PM]

Click on your name in the post above, which will take you to your profile page. Then click on where it says "Login Here" and then enter your password. That's it.

[phanbouy @ Apr 8th 2008 11:08PM]

IT'S NOT A TUMOR!

[ogvor @ Apr 8th 2008 11:15PM]

Thank you, I thought I'd have to do that...

[Reader @ Apr 9th 2008 12:14AM]

Arnie needs to come out with another movie soon, I forget he exists sometimes.

[phanbouy @ Apr 9th 2008 12:35AM]

he's still honing his acting skills in Sacramento, haventcha heard?

[Anonymoose @ Apr 9th 2008 12:18AM]

this "accomplishment" pales in comparison to that of the other true and noble gurus at purdue. go burger makers!

[Ray @ Apr 9th 2008 7:19AM]

put it in your head and test cell phone usage

[Craig M. @ Apr 9th 2008 1:41PM]

If only my dad could get one of these right now...he's got Pancreatic Cancer. :\