Electron paramagnetic resonance dosimeter, methods of manufacture, and methods of use

Abstract

A carbonated hydroxyapatite cement (CHC) precursor composition for an electron paramagnetic resonance dosimeter includes a cement powder and a cement liquid in a powder/liquid ration of 0.5 to 5. The includes one or more phosphate compounds selected from a group of monocalcium phosphate anhydrous, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, amorphous calcium phosphate, α-tricalcium phosphate, β-tricalcium phosphate, and tetracalcium phosphate. The cement liquid is an aqueous phosphate solution having a total phosphate concentration in a range of 0.005 to 2.4 moles per liter (mol/L).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A carbonated hydroxyapatite cement (CHC) precursor composition for an electron paramagnetic resonance dosimeter, comprising:
 a cement powder comprising one or more phosphate compounds selected from a group consisting of monocalcium phosphate anhydrous, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, amorphous calcium phosphate, α-tricalcium phosphate, β-tricalcium phosphate, and tetracalcium phosphate;   a cement liquid comprising an aqueous phosphate solution having a total phosphate concentration in a range of 0.005 to 2.4 moles per liter (mol/L); and   the cement powder and the cement liquid in a powder/liquid ratio in a range of 0.5 to 5.   
     
     
         2 . The precursor composition of  claim 1 , the cement powder further comprising one or more soluble carbonate compounds selected from a group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, and ammonium bicarbonate. 
     
     
         3 . The precursor composition of  claim 1 , the cement powder further comprising one or more sparingly soluble carbonate compounds selected from a group consisting of calcium carbonate, iron carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and zinc carbonate. 
     
     
         4 . The precursor composition of  claim 1 , the cement powder further comprising one or more sparingly soluble calcium compounds selected from a group consisting of calcium lactate, calcium sulfate, calcium oxide, and calcium hydroxide. 
     
     
         5 . The precursor composition of  claim 1 , the cement powder further comprising one or more sparingly soluble phosphate compounds selected from a group consisting of iron phosphate, magnesium phosphate, and zinc phosphate. 
     
     
         6 . The precursor composition of  claim 1 , the cement liquid further comprising one or more gelling agents and one or more water reducing agents. 
     
     
         7 . The precursor composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cement powder comprises 3% to 10% by weight of carbonate. 
     
     
         8 . The precursor composition of  claim 1 , the cement powder further comprising one or more of sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride. 
     
     
         9 . A precursor composition for an electronic paramagnetic resonance dosimeter, comprising:
 a powder comprising one or more phosphate compounds selected from a group consisting of monocalcium phosphate anhydrous, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, amorphous calcium phosphate, α-tricalcium phosphate, β-tricalcium phosphate, and tetracalcium phosphate; and   the precursor composition comprises 3% to 10% by weight of carbonate.   
     
     
         10 . The precursor composition of  claim 9 , wherein the precursor composition is sintered to form a hardened mass. 
     
     
         11 . The precursor composition of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more carbonate compounds selected from a group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, and ammonium bicarbonate.