Abstract: A scanning system for a hand-held probe employs a 50 ms scanning interval in conjunction with circular memory. Combinations of segment bins from the circular memory are acquired following each short scanning interval. A threshold is computed for each combination initially based upon a threshold factor which is statistically significant and has a value of three. Audible cueing is developed if any three of six of these combinations of segment bin scan counts exceeds a correspondingly computed threshold value. Thereafter, the threshold factor is diminished to a value of one and the same thresholding tests are carried out to maintain audible cueing. Running count rates are computed as the average of the entire circular buffer memory divided by its corresponding total collection time. This computation is provided on a one half second updated basis.

Abstract: System and apparatus for locating sources of radiation emanating from predetermined radionuclides. The apparatus incorporates a large window display utilizing icon imagery to identify counting functions such as target count and background. A variety of radionuclide modes of operation can be selected by the operator and the system automatically defaults to detector bias selection and window reference voltage selection in correspondence with the elected radionuclide. A bar graph readout apprises the user of the amount of time or count level remaining in a target or background procedure and the flashing of icon identifiers occurs during such procedures. Pulse validation is improved by the utilization of a discriminator which evaluates pulse width.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical probe is provided with a crystal detector mount architecture wherein a rigid mounting of key components is achieved. In one embodiment, the crystal detector mount is supported and suspended by a vibration damping suspension externally located with respect to the crystal detector mount. The crystal detector mount architecture and vibration damping suspension act to reduce a variety of noise phenomena.

Abstract: A surgical probe apparatus incorporates a probe structure with a handle component and forward crystal mount wherein a cadmium-telluride crystal is rigidly mounted against movement. A cup-shaped window assembly is provided having an internal cylindrical tungsten shield which extends forwardly from the front face of the crystal to define an air gap as well as to support an aluminum window. The window assembly is threadably mounted upon the handle at a transition region forming an outwardly extending ramp. This ramp is used in conjunction with a polymeric retainer component with legs containing dog structures which hold a cylindrical tungsten collimator in biased position against the window when attached.

Abstract: A surgical system wherein a two component hand-held probe is provided. The probe includes a sterilizable and reusable detector portion formed principally of metal in combination with a disposable handle and cable combination. Formed principally of metal components, the detector assembly includes a crystal receiver within which a detector crystal is retained in compression by an annular metal ring assembly having thin inwardly depending tines which contact the crystal forward surface and additionally apply the electrical ground thereto. An access channel rigidly supports bias and signal carrying electrical leads through a crystal mount to a rearward face thereof. The rearward face rigidly supports the forward stage of a preamplifier. In one embodiment a rigid polymeric crystal mount is employed. Particularly for this embodiment, a cup-shaped, shield containing window assembly is utilized.

Abstract: A program controlled integrated circuit having an input path for receiving an analog signal with given attributes and using a program controlled sequence of treatment stages to generate a bit-defined information vector. That vector is introduced to a distributed memory matching array where it is compared with conveyed instruction set having bit-defned codewords corresponding with an analog signal attribute. A match process under the control of a central control unit then develops a digital result. The digital result may be utilized or converted to analog form in an analog return path. Both the input path and the return path incorporate a reduced instruction set computing arithmetic unit under the control of the central control unit.

Abstract: A hand-held radiation probe is configured having a crystal thickness as well as a bias generated electrical field which have values to cause the semiconductor crystal to operate in a trapping-dependent operational mode wherein a trapping of substantially all carriers generated by radiation impinging upon the crystal forward face are trapped. The bias level voltage is selected to achieve adequate photopeak heights and to permit the windowing out of lower energy Compton scattering and other noise phenomena.

Abstract: Count rate outputs of a probe-based radiation detection system are stabilized through the utilization of a dynamic window-based count analysis. Circular memory is utilized to record a sequence of segment count values. These values then are accessed and updated with respect to short scan intervals. The memory segments then are employed to develop a count sum over a count collection interval. That count sum is employed with algorithms adjusting the upper and lower edges of the dynamic window. A reported mean value, computed from the window upper edge or window lower edge, is utilized for creating a variable pitch output or for driving a bar graph. Background count and target count intervals are adjusted utilizing a data point predictive technique in combination with upper and lower time bounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the treatment of a cancer patient which is undergoing (adjuvant) chemotherapy. Prior to or concomitant with the patient receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient is administered mitogenically stimulated lymph node lymphocytes or the supernatant therefrom. The lymph node lymphocytes are patient excised lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells, such as CD4+ tumor reactive cells. Radiolabeled locators (e.g., antibodies) can be used along with a portable radiation detector to intraoperatively determine which lymph nodes bear lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells. The patient excised lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells then are subjected to mitogenic stimulation for their expansion and administration to the patient.

Abstract: A surgical probe wherein a heat sterilizable and reusable detector component is combined with a disposable handle and cable assembly. The reusable detector component incorporates a detector crystal and associated mountings along with preamplifier components. It is formed having a positioning shaft extending therefrom to a contact supporting surface carrying a pattern of electrical contact surfaces. The disposable handle employs an insert member having a receiving cavity. The electrical contact carrying tip of the shaft moves into electrical engagement with a pattern of electrical contacts mounted within the handle in conjunction with a permanently affixed flexible cable.

Abstract: System for detecting emissions from a radiopharmaceutical injected within a lymph duct wherein a hand-held probe is utilized. When employed to locate sentinel lymph nodes, supplementary features are provided including a function for treating validated photon event pulses to determine count rate level signals. A function for count rate based ranging as well as an adjustable thresholding feature are also present. A post-threshold amplification circuit develops full-scale aural and visual outputs.

Abstract: A surgical probe wherein a heat sterilizable and reusable detector component is combined with a disposable handle and cable assembly. The reusable detector component incorporates a detector crystal and associated mountings along with preamplifier components. It is formed having a positioning shaft extending therefrom to a contact supporting surface carrying a pattern of electrical contact surfaces. Two orientation bosses are formed with the positioning shaft. The disposable handle employs an insert member having a receiving cavity. The electrical contact carrying tip of the shaft engages an elastomeric seal and moves into electrical engagement with a pattern of electrical contacts mounted within the handle in conjunction with a permanently affixed flexible cable.

Abstract: System and apparatus particularly suited for tracking a radiopharmaceutical present within a lymph duct and locating a sentinel node within which the radiopharmaceutical has concentrated. A smaller, straight, hand-held probe is employed carrying two hand actuable switches. For tracking procedures, the probe is moved in an undulatory manner wherein the location of the radiopharmaceutical containing duct is determined by observing a graphics readout developed preferably employing a circularly accessed data memory. When the region of the sentinel node is approached, a switch on the probe device is actuated by the surgeon to carry out a sequence of squelching operations until a small node locating region is defined. At that point in the procedure, the straight small probe will be pointed at and in adjacency with the radiopharmaceutical containing sentinel node. The probe-mounted switches are configured to apply preset current levels upon the probe pre-amplifier power supply.