Understanding How Dose Is Distributed Throughout Your Product Load
Dose mapping evaluates absorbed dose distribution within a defined product loading configuration—helping identify minimum and maximum dose locations and supporting the development and validation of a repeatable irradiation process.
Why Is Dose Mapping Necessary?
Radiation dose may not be distributed uniformly throughout a product loading configuration. Dose mapping uses strategically positioned dosimeters to evaluate this distribution and identify locations receiving minimum and maximum absorbed dose.
Without Dose Mapping
Limited measurement information may not adequately characterise absorbed dose distribution across the complete product load.
With Dose Mapping
Measurements from multiple dosimeter positions provide data for evaluating absorbed dose distribution across the defined loading configuration.
By evaluating absorbed dose at multiple locations, dose mapping provides information required to understand the relationship between the irradiation process, product load and dose distribution.
How VAPL Conducts Dose Mapping & Validation
VAPL follows a structured approach to evaluate absorbed dose distribution within a defined product loading configuration and generate the technical information required to support irradiation process validation.
Define Product & Load
The product, packaging, loading configuration and relevant processing requirements are defined before the mapping study.
Develop Mapping Protocol
The study approach, dosimeter locations, processing configuration and evaluation requirements are documented.
Dosimeter Placement
Dosimeters are positioned at selected locations throughout the product load to characterise absorbed dose distribution.
Irradiation Processing
The defined product loading configuration is processed according to the established study protocol.
Dose Measurement & Evaluation
Dosimeter responses are measured and evaluated to characterise dose distribution and identify relevant dose locations.
Validation Documentation
Study results and applicable dose information are documented to support the defined irradiation process and validation requirements.
A Defined and Documented Irradiation Processing Configuration
The mapping study provides absorbed dose distribution data that supports evaluation and validation of the defined product loading and irradiation processing configuration.
When Should You Consider Dose Mapping & Validation?
Dose mapping may be required when a new irradiation process is introduced or when changes to the product, packaging or loading configuration could influence absorbed dose distribution.
New Product Introduction
When a product is introduced into routine irradiation processing and its defined loading configuration requires dose distribution evaluation.
Product Changes
When relevant changes to product characteristics may influence absorbed dose distribution within the defined processing configuration.
Packaging Changes
When packaging dimensions, materials or configurations change in a way that may affect product density or dose distribution.
Loading Configuration Changes
When product arrangement, loading pattern or processing geometry is modified from the validated configuration.
Process Validation
When documented evidence of absorbed dose distribution is required to support validation of the defined irradiation process.
Commercial Scale-Up
When moving from initial trials or development studies towards routine commercial irradiation processing.
Changes that may influence absorbed dose distribution should be technically evaluated to determine whether additional mapping or validation activities are appropriate.
Planning a Dose Mapping Study?
Discuss your product, loading configuration or irradiation process validation requirement with the VAPL team.
Discuss Your Requirement →