Sandia Researchers Develop Wearable Radiation Dosimeter Patch

New disposable sensor aims to improve radiation therapy accuracy and protect cancer patients, warfighters, and first responders.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:47pm

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Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new wearable radiation dosimeter patch that can provide real-time feedback on radiation delivery during medical treatments, helping to improve accuracy and protect patients, healthcare workers, and military personnel from harmful radiation exposure. The flexible, disposable patch uses advanced light-sensing polymers and microelectronic grids to track both the location and dosage of radiation, allowing clinicians to react instantly if the patient moves and the beam goes off target.

Why it matters

The new dosimeter patch technology could significantly improve radiation therapy by providing more precise targeting of cancerous cells and reducing damage to healthy tissue, especially for vulnerable populations like children. It also has applications for protecting military personnel, first responders, and others who may be exposed to hazardous radiation in the line of duty.

The details

Sandia researchers Patrick Doty and Isaac Aviña developed the wearable dosimeter patch, using a state-of-the-art laser etching machine at the lab's California site to create thousands of prototypes. The patch includes a polymer that interacts with radiation in real time, allowing it to track both the location and dosage. If the patient moves during treatment, the system can instantly shut off the beam to prevent harm to healthy tissue. The technology is licensed to Virginia company WearableDose Inc., which won top global Innovation of the Year honors at the 2025 MedTech World Awards.

  • Sandia researchers began developing the dosimeter patch in 2022.
  • The technology was licensed to WearableDose Inc. in late 2025.
  • WearableDose Inc. won the MedTech World Awards' Innovation of the Year in November 2025.

The players

Patrick Doty

Sandia National Laboratories researcher who co-developed the wearable radiation dosimeter patch.

Isaac Aviña

Sandia National Laboratories researcher who co-developed the wearable radiation dosimeter patch.

WearableDose Inc.

A Virginia company that licensed the dosimeter patch technology from Sandia National Laboratories and won the 2025 MedTech World Awards' Innovation of the Year for the technology.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, in the medical world, we aim beams at cancerous cells with a wide range of error. That means sometimes we leave large parts of cancerous cells and other times we hit healthy tissue. To fix this problem, we need better accuracy.”

— Isaac Aviña, Sandia National Laboratories researcher

“They know exactly what the beam current is and what the energy is, so they know exactly where it's going in XY space and where it's going to stop in a tank of water. But what they don't know is where the patient is. They might breathe or move.”

— Patrick Doty, Sandia National Laboratories researcher

What’s next

The research team is now receiving funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to explore how the dosimeter patches can enhance situational awareness and monitor exposure for military personnel in hazardous environments.

The takeaway

This new wearable dosimeter technology developed by Sandia National Laboratories researchers has the potential to significantly improve the accuracy and safety of radiation therapy for cancer patients, as well as protect military personnel, first responders, and others who may be exposed to harmful radiation in the course of their duties.