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Calculate DAP and KAP in Radiology

This document describes how to calculate Dose Area Product (DAP) from dose measurements. DAP is a measure of the total radiation delivered to a patient that takes into account the irradiated area. DAP is calculated by multiplying the measured dose in Gy by the size of the irradiated area in cm2. The document provides instructions for measuring dose and irradiated area using RaySafe instruments, and an example calculation of DAP. It also lists options for measuring irradiated area such as using radiochromic film or a RaySafe DXR+ detector.

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59 views2 pages

Calculate DAP and KAP in Radiology

This document describes how to calculate Dose Area Product (DAP) from dose measurements. DAP is a measure of the total radiation delivered to a patient that takes into account the irradiated area. DAP is calculated by multiplying the measured dose in Gy by the size of the irradiated area in cm2. The document provides instructions for measuring dose and irradiated area using RaySafe instruments, and an example calculation of DAP. It also lists options for measuring irradiated area such as using radiochromic film or a RaySafe DXR+ detector.

Uploaded by

omarcuratolo
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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APPLICATION NOTE

2020-03-24
Page 1(2)

How to calculate KAP and DAP


from dose measurements
This application note describes how to calculate Kerma Area Product (KAP) and Dose
Area Product (DAP) from dose measurements.
KAP and DAP can be calculated from measurements with any instrument that
measures dose, for example, the RaySafe X2 R/F, RaySafe X2 CT, RaySafe Xi R/F,
RaySafe Xi CT, or RaySafe ThinX.

BACKGROUND
Kerma Area Product (KAP) and Dose Area Product (DAP) are measures of the total
amount of radiation delivered to a person, with the area of the irradiated tissue taken
into account. In diagnostic X-ray, the terms KAP and DAP are used interchangeably.
For simplicity, only the term DAP is used throughout this application note.
DAP is normally measured as the absorbed dose to air [Gy], times the irradiated area
[cm2]. Backscattered radiation should not be included in DAP measurements.
Most RaySafe instruments are shielded from backscatter. However, the RaySafe X2 CT
sensor and the RaySafe Xi CT detector are pencil ion chambers and should be placed
free in air (at a minimum distance of 30 cm from scattering material) to avoid including
backscatter in the measurement.

DAP IS CONSTANT
The DAP value is independent of the distance (r) to the X-ray source, since dose
decreases as 1/r2 while the irradiated area squares with the distance, Figure 1.

Figure 1: Illustration and calculation example showing that DAP is constant.


Irradiated area is shown in red as a square of side x cm at a distance of r from the
X-ray source. In the calculation example, the dose is 36 mGy over an area of 10 ∙
10 cm2 at a distance of r.
APPLICATION NOTE
2020-03-24
Page 2(2)

INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO CALCULATE DAP FROM DOSE MEASUREMENTS
1. Measure the dose [Gy] at a certain distance from the X-ray source (Figure 2).
2. Measure the size of the irradiated area [cm2] at the very same distance.
3. Calculate DAP [Gycm2] as the measured dose times the irradiated area.
Note: Make sure to irradiate the entire active sensor area of the instrument.

Figure 2: How to calculate DAP from dose measurements with RaySafe


instruments.

CALCULATION EXAMPLE:
Measured dose @ 1 m from the X-ray source:
Dose = 2 mGy = 0.002 Gy
Size of irradiated area @ 1 m from the X-ray source:
Area = 20 cm ∙ 20 cm = 400 cm2
DAP = 0.002 Gy ∙ 400 cm2 = 0.8 Gycm2

EXAMPLES OF HOW TO MEASURE THE SIZE OF THE


IRRADIATED AREA
• Use radiochromic film1 to detect the edges of the radiation field. The color of
the film changes when exposed to ionizing radiation. Measure the width and
the depth of the field.
• Use the RaySafe DXR+ to detect the edges of the radiation field. Measure the
width and the depth of the field.
• Make an exposure on the image receptor and measure the size of the resulting
image. Note that the image receptor must be larger than the x-ray field.

CONTACT
Please visit [Link] for more information.

1 Provided by RaySafe: GAFCHROMIC FILM XR-QA2 - 10PCS

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