ANSELMO FEHER

ANSELMO FEHER

(Fonte: Lattes)

Resumo

Graduado em Tecnologia Mecânica com ênfase em soldagem pela Faculdade de Tecnologia de São Paulo (1992), possui mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear pela Universidade de São Paulo (2006) e doutorado em Tecnologia Nuclear pela Universidade de São Paulo (2014). Atualmente é Servidor Público Federal da Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, órgão vinculado ao Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação. Tem experiência nas áreas de Engenharia Mecânica e Aplicações Nucleares, atuando principalmente em desenvolvimento e manutenção de sistemas de alto vácuo, ensaios de detecção de vazamentos utilizando espectrômetros de massa para gás hélio, produção de fontes radioativas seladas, soldagem por arco plasma, soldagem a laser, braquiterapia, sementes de iodo-125 e fontes de irídio-192 para tratamento de câncer. (Texto extraído do Currículo Lattes em 28 mar. 2023)

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Nationalization of brachytherapy radioactive sources in Brazil and the importance of IAEA cooperation
2023 - ROSTELATO, MARIA E.C.M.; FEHER, ANSELMO; ZEITUNI, CARLOS A.; ROSERO, WILMMER A.A.; SOUZA, CARLA D. de; MOURA, JOÃO A.
Brazil has a cancer incidence of about 625,000 cases a year. It is a public health problem, demanding constant efforts to deliver for patients the most efficient treatment modalities, improving their life expectancy and quality. Brachytherapy is a type of Radiotherapy where the radioactive source is placed close to or inside the tumor. The main advantage of the technique is to deliver the maximum dose in the target, saving healthy tissues. In Brazil, Our group had the objective of producing sources nationally, diminishing treatment costs, enabling the treatment to more patients. Some of our projects are developed in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency-IAEA by technical cooperation projects. The IAEA participation is very important to provide technological transfer through scientific visits, expert missions, and contacts with more advanced centers. The financial support is also important, allowing us to buy the necessary equipment to make these cancer treatment sources production feasible in Brazil. Our team has received training through fellowships. We received some experts and organized several workshops to propagate the Brachytherapy technique at national and Latin American level. For producing new sources, five major areas must be considered: 1) source production: nuclear activation and/or radiochemical reaction; 2) welding; 3) quality control: leakage tests; 4) dosimetry and metrology; 5) operational procedures; 6) validation studies. To perform all steps, a multidisciplinary team works together to overcome difficulties. Our major projects are: Iridium-192 pellets: In Brazil there are 150 afterloading machines with pellets that replacement every 4 months (about 450 Iridium-192 sources a year). Our new production line, with the support of IAEA, is in progress, with the hot-cell being installed in a brand-new facility. Iridium-192 wires: In production since 1997, also supported by IAEA. The wire is activated at IPEN’s IEA-R1 reactor for 30 hours with 5x1013 n/cm-2.s-1 neutron flux resulting in 7.1 GBq (192 mCi) maximum activity. Iridium-192 seed: New seed for ophthalmic cancer treatment. The core presented 90% activity homogeneity. We are making the experimental dosimetry and Monte Carlo simulation. Iodine-125 seeds: Largely used in low dose brachytherapy. I-125 binding yield achieved with our new reaction was 90%; Laser welding presented 70% efficiency. Approved in all leakage tests. Our Iodine-125 seeds laboratory production is 90% ready. Other ongoing projects: polymeric Phosphorus-32 source for spinal cancer treatment, Gold-198 nanoparticles for prostate, breast, and liver cancer treatment, Iodine-125 seed as markers for non-palpable cancers, and dosimetry calculations for all new sources. All the projects are advancing, despite national funding difficulties. Withing those, several mSc, Phd, and Post-doc are getting their degrees. We will continue to develop new products hoping to help the Brazilian population fight against cancer. The support of IAEA has proven to be of the utmost importance for these projects not only in direct funding, but in providing knowledge to our team, the possibility to share information with the scientific community, and to form the next generation of scientists.
Challenges in iodine-125 sources production for cancer treatment
2023 - FEHER, ANSELMO; BAPTISTA, TATYANA S.; ZEITUNI, CARLOS A.; ROSTELATO, MARIA E.C.M.; MOURA, JOÃO A.
There is a great challenge the implantation on assurance quality system in the brachytherapy sources production. It involves tofulfill the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) requirements, involving the process validation and of all supporting activities such as cleaning and sanitization. The purpose of this work was to execute a process validation in the iodine-125 seeds production on Radiation Technology Center located at IPEN- Brazil. Besides this, the sanitization was to evaluate the effectiveness of different surface cleaning products, determining the best to reduce radiological contamination to acceptable levels during the sources production, according to legislation. The fabrication process was performed three times for evaluation. The parameters evaluated in this study were: the source welding efficiency and the leakage tests results (immersion test). The welding efficiency doesn’t have an established parameter, since is visually evaluated by the operator, and the leakage detection has to be under 5 nCi / 185 Bq, accordingly with the ISO 9978. In the relation of sanitization, it was established a cleaning program for three production lots of iodine 125 seeds using three types of sanitizers: Lot 1 with extran 1/1 (v/v), Lot 2 with hydrogen peroxide 6% and Lot 3 with sodium hydroxide 1M. Each lots contained seven iodine 125 seeds and was immersed in the sanitizer for 1 hour and then two washes with distilled water. An activity detected in each lots does not exceed 0,2 kBq (˭5nCi). The observed values on process validation were: 75% welding efficiency and 32% leakage detection. Although established values for the global efficiency aren’t available in the literature, the results showed high consistency and acceptable percentages, especially when other similar manufacturing processes are used in comparison (average 85-70% found in the literature for other similar metallic structures). According to results of sanitization, the best choice for remove de surface contamination was peroxide hydrogen. Further testing should ensure the sanitizer's choice is based not only on the removal of surface contamination, but also this sanitizer does not leave residues requiring further rinsing with distilled water. Those values will be important data when drafting the validation document and to follow the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
Electron beam processing to improve biodegradable polymers and for industrial wastewater treatment and recycling
2022 - CALVO, W.A.P.; MUNHOZ, P.M.; SOMESSARI, S.L.; DUARTE, C.L.; SPRENGER, F.E.; FEHER, A.; LAINETTI, F.F.; GASPAR, R.R.; NASCIMENTO, F.C.; SILVA, L.G.A.; HARADA, J.; BRAGA, A.; RODRIGUES, M.; SAMPA, M.H.O.
Radiation technology has been used to control environmental pollution. The aim of these studies was to apply the electron beam radiation technology for controlling plastic pollution and environmental protection.
Development and construction of a mobile electron beam accelerator to treat and recycle industrial effluents in Brazil
2022 - CALVO, WILSON A.P.; SOMESSARI, SAMIR L.; DUARTE, CELINA L.; SPRENGER, FRANCISCO E.; FEHER, ANSELMO; LAINETTI, FABIANA de F.; GASPER, RENATO R.; BRAGA, ALCIDES; RODRIGUES, MARCOS; SAMPA, MARIA H.O.
In the world, there is a growing increase in the demand for water for human consumption, as well as the prioritization of the use of available water resources for public supply. The treatment of wastewater and industrial effluents by electron beam irradiation is a promising technique, however, not very widespread in Brazilian territory. The design and construction of a mobile unit by the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), containing an electron beam accelerator of 0.7 MeV, 20 kW and 640 mm window is innovative to demonstrate the effects and positive results of this technology. The mobile unit will have as one of its main advantages the possibility of treating effluents in the place where the source is located, eliminating costs and bureaucratic problems associated with the transportation of waste, besides publicizing the technology in several places in the country. To implement the project, IPEN/CNEN has been consolidating partnerships with national and international companies. The resources for the development of the unit have been supplied by the Brazilian Innovation Agency (FINEP) and International Atomic Energy Agency, financing the “IAEA TC Project BRA1035 - Mobile electron beam accelerator to treat and recycle industrial effluents”. The Institute has associated with a specialized company (Truckvan Industry) in an innovation project for the unit design and development. Several meetings have been realized with the company and the International Atomic Energy Agency experts, aiming the compatibility of the design and the exchange of information necessary for the project development. The idealized project divides the cart in the following modules: a) control room and laboratory for technical and scientific dissemination of the technology; b) industrial electron beam accelerator, hydraulic units, ventilation system, cooler and bunker with irradiation device; and c) transformer and power source supply. A 3D model study of the control room and laboratory space was done to facilitate understanding the internal distribution of the laboratory analysis equipment (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, Total Organic Carbon and UV-Visible Spectroscopy). The irradiation system with electron accelerators allows treating different types of effluents. Depending on the effluent, the amount of ionizing radiation energy required for treatment may vary, as well as the amount of treated effluent per day. For the construction of the mobile unit, the estimated cost is about US$ 1.5 Million. The type of treated effluent, the treatment cost per m3/day and other information regarding the cost of maintenance and operation of the mobile unit are obtained from the Business Plan of the Mobile Unit.
Development of an irradiation system for production of gaseous radioisotopes and of a tomographic 2-D gamma scanning for industrial process troubleshooting in Brazil
2022 - CARDOZO, NELSON X.; HARAGUCHI, MARCIO I.; KIM, HAE Y.; SOMESSARI, SAMIR L.; FEHER, ANSELMO; NAPOLITANO, CELIA M.; CALVO, WILSON A.P.
Radioisotopes as radiotracers are used in analytical procedures to obtain qualitative and quantitative data systems, in physical and physicochemical studies transfers, and troubleshooting of industrial process plants in chemical and petrochemical companies. In the production of gaseous radioisotopes used as tracers in industrial process measurements, argon-41 (41Ar) and krypton-79 (79Kr) stand out because each has low reactivity with other chemical elements. 41Ar is a transmitter range with high-energy (1.29 MeV) and a high percentage of this energy transformation (99.1%), resulting in relatively small quantities required in relation to the other, for an efficient detection, even in large thicknesses components. In this sense, the aim of this study is to develop an irradiation system for gaseous radioisotope production in continuous scale, applied in industrial applications of emission tomography and flow measurement. The irradiation system may produce 41Ar with activity of 7.4×1011 Bq (20 Ci) per irradiation cycle, through the Reactor IEA-R1 with 4.5 MW and average thermal neutron flux of 4.71×1013 ncm−2s−1 to meet an existing demand in NDT and inspections companies, and even needed by the Radiation Technology Centre, at IPEN/CNEN. The irradiation system consists of an aluminium irradiation capsule, transfer lines, needle valves, ringed connections, quick connectors, manometer, vacuum system, dewar, lead shielding, storage and transport cylinders, among other components. The irradiation system was approved in the leakage and stability tests (bubble test, pressurization, evacuation and with leak detector equipment. In the experimental production obtaining 1.07×1011 Bq (2.9 Ci) of 41Ar, alanine dosimeters were distributed into various components of the irradiation system. In addition, exposure rates were determined in the lead shielding wall, in which the liquefied radioactive gas was concentrated, and in the storage and transport cylinders after 41Ar was transferred by the portable radiation meter. However, gamma scanning is a nuclear inspection technique widely used to troubleshoot industrial equipment in refineries and petrochemicals plants such as distillation columns and reactors. A sealed radiation source and detector move along the equipment, and the intensity readouts generate the density profile of the equipment. The result of gamma scan still consists of a simple 1-D density plot. In this work, we also present the tomographic gamma scanning that, using image reconstruction techniques, shows the result as a 2-D image of density distribution. Clearly, an image reveals more features of the equipment than a 1-D graph and many problems that could not be troubleshooted using the conventional technique can now be solved with this imaging technique. We use ART (Algebraic Reconstruction Technique) intercalated with total variation minimization filter. The use of total variation minimization leads to compressive sensing tomography, allowing to obtain good quality reconstruction from few irradiation data. We simulated the reconstruction of different density distributions. We applied the new technique to data obtained by irradiating with gamma rays phantoms that emulate industrial equipment. Finally, we present the result obtained by applying the innovative technique to real operating distillation column.
Developing an electrical power system of a mobile electron beam accelerator to treat wastewater and industrial effluents
2021 - GASPER, RENATO R.; SOMESSARI, SAMIR L.; SPRENGER, FRANCISCO E.; FEHER, ANSELMO; DUARTE, CELINA L.; SAMPA, MARIA H. de O.; LAINETTI, FABIANA de F.; BRAGA, ALCIDES; RODRIGUES, MARCOS de M.; CALVO, WILSON A.P.
The treatment of wastewater and industrial effluents by electron beam irradiation is a promising technique, however, not very widespread in Brazilian territory. The design and construction of a mobile unit by the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, containing an electron beam accelerator of 700 keV and 20 kW is innovative to demonstrate the effects and positive results of this technology. The aim is to transfer the mobile unit to several companies with interest in liquid waste treatment, connect to the industry electrical system and start the ionization treatment process through electron beam. The mobile unit connection to the local electrical system may be a challenge due to the great diversity of voltages and distances involved, as well as the large injections of harmonic content generated by the electron beam accelerator that can affect sensitive loads in the industrial system. In this work, an analysis of the electrical power system of the mobile unit was made, regarding the interruption capacity, selectivity protection and adequate short circuit levels, in order to assure a greater reliability in the operation. At the end, the control panel of the mobile unit, simulations and measurements were carried out at the 1.5 MeV and 37.5 kW electron beam accelerator, installed in the Radiation Technology Center, demonstrating the necessity of applying a filter to reduce the measured harmonic distortion. The analysis of the mobile unit electrical power system was made, in order to assure a greater reliability in the operation.
A proposal of process validation in the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices in brachytherapy sources production
2021 - BAPTISTA, TATYANA S.; FEHER, ANSELMO; RODRIGUES, BRUNA T.; ZEITUNI, CARLOS A.; MOURA, JOÃO A.; ROSTELATO, MARIA E.C.M.
New laboratories for brachytherapy sources production are being implemented in our facility at IPEN, in São Paulo. A great challenge implementing a production laboratory is to comply with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), which involves process validation and all supporting activities such as cleaning and sanitization. Much more than compliance with regulatory guidelines, required for certification and inspections, a validation builds large process knowledge, provides possibilities for optimization and improvement, increasing the degree of maturity of all people involved and the quality system. The process validation results in a document that certifies that any procedure, process, equipment, material, operation, or system leads to the expected results. This work focused on the new laboratory, been assembled to produce small iodine-125 seeds. The process validation was performed three times for evaluation. The parameters evaluated in this study were: the source welding efficiency and the leakage tests results (immersion test). The welding efficiency does not have an established parameter, since is visually evaluated by the operator, and the leakage detection must be under 5 nCi / 185 Bq, accordingly with the ISO 9978. We observed values were average 79-87% production efficiency and leakage tests were under 5 nCi/seed. Although established values for the global efficiency aren’t available in the literature, the results showed high consistency and acceptable percentages, especially when other similar manufacturing processes are used in comparison (average 85-70% found in the literature for other similar metallic structures). Those values will be important data when drafting the validation document and to follow the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
Gamma spectrometry of iodine-125 produced in IEA-R1 nuclear reactor, using HPGe detector and fixation into epoxy matrix disc
2021 - COSTA, OSVALDO L. da; SOUZA, DAIANE C.B. de; CASTANHO, FABIO G.; FEHER, ANSELMO; MOURA, JOÃO A.; SOUZA, CARLA D.; OLIVEIRA, HENRIQUE B.; MADUAR, MARCELO F.; ZEITUNI, CARLOS A.; ROSTELATO, MARIA E.C.M.
Few places in the world produce iodine-125. In Brazil, the first production was achieved by using the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor located at Nuclear and Energy Research Institute – IPEN. To verify the quality of iodine-125 produced, and the amount of contaminants such as iodine-126, cesium-134 and caesium-137 among others, iodine-125 samples were immobilized into epoxy matrix disc, with the same geometry of a barium-133 reference radioactive source, used to calibrate an HPGe detector. The HPGe detector has a thin carbon composite window, which allows measure the iodine-125 photopeaks, between 27.1 and 35.4 keV. The method employed here was successful in producing and measurement of iodine-125.
New core configuration for the fabrication of 125I radioactive sources for cancer treatment
2020 - SOUZA, CARLA D. de; ZEITUNI, CARLOS A.; FEHER, ANSELMO; MOURA, JOÃO A.; COSTA, OSVALDO L. da; ANGELOCCI, LUCAS V.; ROSTELATO, MARIA E.C.M.
In order to provide prostate brachytherapy treatment for more Brazilian men, IPEN is building a laboratory for the manufacture of radioactive sources. The new methodology for the production of iodine-125 seeds with yield 71.7% ± 5.3%. Points of importance were evaluated/discussed: photo-sensibility, reaction vial type, the substitution for iodine-131, pH, and solution volume. The surface was analyzed by FTIR and EDS. At the end, a Monte Carlo-MCNP6 simulation was performed to evaluate the TG-43 parameters.