The evolution of radiation dosimetry technologies for capturing and monitoring individual radiation exposure spans from the early 20th century's film badges to today's sophisticated wireless Instadose® dosimetry badges from Mirion. 

The Inception of Film Badges (1943) 

In 1943, an important chapter in dosimetry was written with the invention of film dosimeters, influenced by the safety needs of the Manhattan Project. The effort to develop atomic technology necessitated reliable methods for monitoring radiation exposure, leading to the advent of these first-generation dosimetry tools. Utilizing photographic films, they were the first used to quantify individual radiation exposure effectively, setting the stage for future technological advancements.1 

Advancements with Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLD) (1954) 

Eleven years later (1954), the field progressed with the development of Thermoluminescent Dosimeters. These dosimeters represented a leap in radiation monitoring, employing crystals that absorbed radiation energy. When heated, these crystals released this energy as light, which was then measured, offering a more precise method of dose calculation.2,3 

The Introduction of Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) (1998) 

In 1998, dosimetry advanced another turn with the creation of Optically Stimulated Luminescence dosimeters. Building upon the principles of TLD, OSL dosimeters refined the process, using light instead of heat to stimulate the crystals, thus providing an even more accurate measure of radiation exposure along with the added benefits of no fading (except in extreme temperatures) and the ability to reread multiple times.4 

The Emergence of Direct Ion Storage (DIS) (2001) 

The turn of the millennium saw the introduction of Direct Ion Storage systems. This innovation brought dosimetry into the digital age, using a gas-filled ion chamber and electronic systems to measure radiation doses with unprecedented precision. DIS dosimeters offer unlimited dose reads (as often as needed), the non-volatile dose read takes just seconds, dose data is collected into a secure online dose database where background radiation is subtracted, and individual personal doses are reported.3 

The Current Chapter: Mirion Instadose^® Digital Dosimetry System (2009) 

In 2009, the Mirion Instadose digital dosimetry platform allowed users to self-read their dosimeters by plugging the integrating USB into a PC and running the Instadose software to individually read the Instadose badges. The advance allowed users to save time and money (eliminating the need to return badges for processing) while increasing the ability to mitigate over-exposure by providing dose results faster, on-demand.4 

In 2017, the wireless revolution began with the introduction of the Instadose+ wireless dosimeter. Today, the InstadoseVUE wireless dosimeter — with its ability to wirelessly capture, transmit, and report dose results online in seconds — increases compliance, safety, and efficiency for anyone working with or around medical imaging and other radiation sources.  

With Instadose wireless dosimeters, users no longer must mail dosimeters back and forth for offsite processing every month or quarter, nor do they have to wait weeks/months for their dose results. The power of knowing your dose results immediately versus weeks/months later can help to ensure ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable), mitigate exposures, and provide peace of mind.   

The journey through the evolution of occupational radiation dosimetry is a testament to human innovation and the pursuit of safety in the face of invisible dangers. To seek a deeper understanding of these technologies visit "Deciphering Dosimeter Badges - A Deep Dive into Radiation Monitoring," and explore more about Mirion Instadose solutions at www.instadose.com.  

Sources: 

ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity. (n.d.). Ernest Wollan's Film Badge from Manhattan Project (ca.1943). https://orau.org/health-physics-museum/collection/dosimeters/film/ernest-wollan.html 

Kron, T., & Meyer, L. (2021). Thermoluminescence dosimetry and its applications in medicine—Part 2: History and applications. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 192(2), 122-149. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncaa158 

Meyer, Lois. "Thermoluminescence Dosimetry and Its Applications in Medicine—Part 2: History and Applications." Radiation Protection Dosimetry, vol. 81, no. 3, 1999, pp. 167-175. https://academic.oup.com/rpd/article-abstract/81/3/167/1667851  

Elsevier, (2021) Optically Stimulated Luminescence. In Comprehensive Biomedical Physics, 99-128 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323854719000075 

Akselrod, M.S., et al. "Highly Sensitive Al2O3:C Detectors for Personal Dosimetry." Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 90, no. 7, 2001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11586737 

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