Abstract: A dosimetry system having a solid-state dosimeter with one or more solid-state detectors for detecting radiation and an electrometer module with a circuit adapted to receive electrical impulses from the solid-state detectors, convert the impulses into a count and provide such count to a computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of dispensing a radiopharmaceutical wherein a source of flushing fluid is connected to a first port of a fluid delivery set; a pressurizing unit of a powered injector system (including a powered injector and the pressurizing unit) is connected to a second port of the fluid delivery set; air is purged from the fluid delivery set; and, after purging air from the fluid delivery set, a third port of the fluid delivery set is connected to a source of the radiopharmaceutical. A valve system is included to control flow of fluid. A syringe is operatively connected with a powered injector. A radioactive shield encloses the syringe during operation to protect personnel from detrimental effects. A dose calibrator measure the radioactivity in the syringe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assaying and sorting radioactive seeds that provides for feeding seeds in line horizontally in end to end fashion; translating the seeds from the horizontal to a vertical stack; singulating the seeds from the vertical stack and moving a singulated seed to a horizontally displaced position; loading the horizontally displaced singulated seed into a shuttle by pushing vertically downward into a cavity in the shuttle; moving the shuttle horizontally from a retracted position where it receives a singulated seed, into one end of an annular dose calibrator to an intermediate position within the dose calibrator and out of the other end of the annular dose calibrator to an unloader position; determining the activity of the singulated seed contained in the cavity while it is in the intermediate position; dropping the singulated seed into one of a plurality of receptacles at the unloader position; and controlling the plurality of receptacles to position a preselected receptacle to receive the si

Abstract: A radioactive seed handling device for handling a number of radioactive seeds. The device includes a first tubular section having a first lumen with a first diameter larger than the seed diameter for receiving the seed and a second tubular section coupled to the first tubular section and having a second lumen with a second diameter smaller than the seed diameter for preventing seeds from entering the second lumen. An overlapping portion of the second tubular section is located within the first lumen of the first tubular section and has a vent that allows fluid flow into the second lumen when a seed is obstructing a distal end of the second tubular section. The device can be used, for example, in a system to load the seeds into an implant for delivery of radiation in or around cancerous growths.

Abstract: A needle holder for use in a seed handling assembly that is made as a box-like open-sided metal frame having a bottom, a top and opposed side frame members with a pair of steel shielding plates enclosing the sides of the frame. The top frame member defines at least one row of holes for receiving elongated needles containing radioactive seeds. Feet are attached to opposite sides of the frame to enable the needle holder to be free standing. Lifting elements are attached to the frame to enable the needle holder to be picked up and moved while needles are held in the needle holder and for a person lifting and moving the needle holder to be shielded from radioactive seeds in a needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assaying and sorting automatically a batch of radioactive seeds used in medical applications. The method and apparatus consist in feeding seeds from a vibratory feeder through a first gate to an EA measuring station where the equitorial anisotrophy of the seeds are determined. The seeds then pass automatically to a dose calibrator where their radioactivity level is determined. Based on the radiation measurements, a computer controls a turret wheel to position it correctly, to sort the seeds from the dose calibrator into a plurality of receptacles.

Abstract: A needle tipped with a plating of radioactive metal and covered with additional layers of plating to prevent subsequent rubbing off of radioactive material, decreases local or systemic reactions to the plating materials, and prevents decomposition of the underlying plating materials. The radioactive tipped needle can be used in conjunction with nuclear medicine imaging techniques to identify and localize abnormalities that may not be seen using other radiographic techniques. A method for producing the needle is also described.

Abstract: Counting rate measurements from radiation detectors are averaged and an index of the condition of a body, e.g. cardiac function of a patient by ejection fraction, is approximated as an inverse function of measurement averages, based on standard statistical deviation, to provide a continuous, real time evaluation of the condition, e.g. cardiac function. In the case of a patient, other patient measurement parameters establish limits within which the index of the condition, e.g. ejection fraction, approximations have acceptable accuracy.

Abstract: An ambulatory physiological evaluation system including a main and background gamma radiation detector provided in a vestlike garment worn by a patient for the purpose of monitoring and/or diagnosing the patient's physiological activities during a prescribed period of time. Also included is an apparatus and method for determining the exact location of the left ventricle of the heart, positioning the main radiation detector relative to the left ventricle, and maintaining the position of the main radiation detector relative to the left ventricle during an ambulatory study period. The ambulatory physiological evaluation system also contains electronic circuitry which monitors and processses information obtained from the radiation detectors. Information from the main and auxiliary detectors, as well as ECG electrodes is recorded on a portable cassette recorder.

Abstract: A vest for use in an ambulatory physiological evaluation system for holding cardiac monitoring equipment in position relative to the heart of a patient. The vest comprises a chest member having first and second detachable side members. The side members can be positioned relative to each other at the front of the vest via slots in each of the side members. An additional coupling means detachably and adjustably joins the side members at the back of the vest. A mounting bracket assembly is provided on the front of the vest for receiving a radiation detector. The vest includes horizontal slots to mount the mounting bracket thereto. Vertical slots are provided in the mounting bracket for receiving screw clamps which pass through both the vertical slots in the mounting bracket and the horizontal slots in the vest to allow positioning of the mounting bracket relative to the vest.

Abstract: An ambulatory physiological evaluation system including a main and a background gamma radiation detector provided in a vestlike garment worn by a patient for the purpose of monitoring and/or diagnosing the patient's physiological activities during a prescribed period of time. Also included is an apparatus and method for determining the exact location of the left ventricle of the heart, positioning the main radiation detector relative to the left ventricle, and maintaining the position of the main radiation detector relative to the left ventricle during an ambulatory study period. The ambulatory physiological evaluation system also contains electronic circuitry which monitors and processes information obtained from the radiation detectors. Information from the main and auxiliary detectors, as well as ECG electrodes is recorded on a portable cassette recorder.

Abstract: An ambulatory physiological evaluation system including a main and a background gamma radiation detector provided in a vestlike garment worn by a patient for the purpose of monitoring and/or diagnosing the patient's physiological activities during a prescribed period of time. Also included is an apparatus and method for determining the exact location of the left ventricle of the heart, positioning the main radiation detector relative to the left ventricle, and maintaining the position of the main radiation detector relative to the left ventricle during an ambulatory study period. The ambulatory physiological evaluation system also contains electronic circuitry which monitors and processes information obtained from the radiation detectors. Information from the main and auxiliary detectors, as well as ECG electrodes is recorded on a portable cassette recorder.

Abstract: A high-energy radiation detector includes a collimator, coupled to one end of a scintillator and the other end of the scintillator optically coupled to an optical window. The optical window is composed of a material having a predetermined amount of heavy metal therein. The optical window is further coupled to a photomultiplier which generates an electrical signal based upon the amount of light directed thereon. A radiation shield extends only around the scintillator and around limited portions of the optical window to minimize the weight of the radiation detector.

Abstract: A radiation shield in a light detector and/or sensor assembly generally comprises a horizontally oriented buffer on which the detector is disposed, a vertically oriented radiation shield surrounding the detector, and a horizontally oriented collimating buffer disposed on the vertically oriented radiation shield above the detector. Advantages of the invention include minimization of the effect of radiation emitted from the hot junctions of a thermoelectric cooler employed in the detection assembly, and the provision of an electromagnetic shield when the arrangement is connected to the low-impedance side of the amplifying circuitry associated with the detector. The buffer preferably comprises a highly emissive material, while the collimating buffer is preferably of an electrically conductive material. Electromagnetic shielding can be provided by the use of high permeability material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of determining the radioactivity of a sample. The sample is contained in a vial located within a cannister having a body portion releasably engaged with a bottom portion. The apparatus includes a chuck for engaging and holding the bottom portion of the cannister and a lifting ring engageable with the body portion so that rotation of the lifting ring controls engagement and disengagement between the body and bottom portions of the cannister. After the chuck and cannister have been placed in a calibration device, the body portion is disengaged from the bottom portion by rotation of the lifting ring. The body portion is then moved by lifting the lifting ring so that the container is exposed and the radioactivity of the sample within the container can be measured. Subsequent lowering and rotation of the lifting ring reengages the body with the bottom of the cannister so that the sample is again shielded. The cannister and chuck are then removed from the calibration device.

Abstract: A dynamic phantom system and method utilizing a phantom device for simulating operation of a heart. The phantom device comprises first and second rotatable ellipsoids having first and second axes of rotation for simulating an atrium and a ventricle, respectively, of the heart, and a motor for rotating the first and second rotatable ellipsoids in unison to simulate the operation of the heart. The axes of rotation of the first and second rotatable ellipsoids are mutually perpendicular. A trigger circuit is further provided for issuing a trigger pulse in response to each rotation of the first and second rotatable ellipsoids. An attenuator is also provided for simulating ejection fraction of the heart. The dynamic phantom device is especially useful in testing camera-computer combinations employed for heart imaging and monitoring, so as to evaluate the quality of operation of the camera-computer combination.

Abstract: A thin-film window for a nuclear instrument comprising a frame ring, a thin film tightly stretched about the frame ring, a clamp ring for securing the thin film about the frame ring in a tightly stretched condition, and securing means such as a weld or glue, for securing the clamp ring to the frame ring. The thin-film window is manufactured by first preparing the frame ring and clamp ring by cleaning and removing stresses on the rings, cooling the frame ring to a temperature below that of the clamp ring, stretching a thin-film over the frame ring, clamping the clamp ring over the thin-film and frame ring while the film is stretched thereover, maintaining the clamp ring over the frame ring until they are at the same temperature, removing the excess film along the outside edges of the rings, and securing the rings together.

Abstract: A radiation detection ionization chamber comprising an elongated cylindrical pencil-shaped tubing forming an outer wall of the chamber and a center electrode disposed along the major axis of the tubing is disclosed. The length of the chamber is substantially greater than the diameter. A cable connecting portion at one end of the chamber is provided for connecting the chamber to a triaxial cable. An end support portion is connected at the other end of the chamber for supporting and tensioning the center electrode.