Radiobiological irradiation can be performed using appropriately collimated sealed source radioisotope machines such as Co-60 units, as well with X-ray tubes and linear accelerators. The increasing research interest in delivering organ-specific or whole body animal external irradiation has led to the introduction of dedicated X-ray units for research purposes. In this work, the proprieties of a kilovoltage X-ray biological irradiator, the Faxitron cabinet X-ray system model CP160, are investigated and dosimetrically characterized. Calculation formalisms for everyday use of the radiobiological irradiator in laboratory conditions, specifically for cell cultures and small animals total body irradiation, were developed following the AAPM TG-61 protocol. The quality of the X-ray beams generated by this irradiator was found to range between HVL 0.7 mm Cu for a 160 kVp 0.5 mm Cu filtered beam, and HVL 0.07 mm Al for a 20 kVp non-filtered beam. Our calculation formalisms for cell cultures and small animal irradiations were found to be valid within +/-5%.

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