Miniature multinuclide detection system and methods
First Claim
1. A digital computational apparatus comprising a) a device programmed to perform steps comprising i) comparing characteristics of a sample signal with corresponding characteristics of a plurality of reference signals;
- and ii) determining whether characteristics of the sample signal are similar to or identical to characteristics of at least one reference signal; and
b) a memory device in which is stored data providing characteristics of a plurality of reference signals;
wherein each reference signal characterizes a signal waveform of a target radionuclide or a threatening radionuclide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and methods for detection and identification of target radionuclides and threatening radionuclides that may be present in a sample volume. One aspect of the invention discloses a digital computational apparatus that determines similarity or identity to a target radionuclide or a threatening radionuclide. In another aspect, the invention discloses a high throughput apparatus for detection of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, or for identifying a target radionuclide present in a sample volume, or both, that includes a detecting means, an analyzing means, and an identifying means. In a further aspect the invention discloses a high throughput apparatus for communicating the presence of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, the identity of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, or both to appropriate personnel. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a high throughput apparatus for warning of the presence and/or the identity of a threatening radionuclide in a sample volume to appropriate personnel. The invention furthermore provides methods for accomplishing the above-disclosed detection, identification, communication and warning.
34 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A digital computational apparatus comprising
a) a device programmed to perform steps comprising i) comparing characteristics of a sample signal with corresponding characteristics of a plurality of reference signals; - and
ii) determining whether characteristics of the sample signal are similar to or identical to characteristics of at least one reference signal; and
b) a memory device in which is stored data providing characteristics of a plurality of reference signals;
wherein each reference signal characterizes a signal waveform of a target radionuclide or a threatening radionuclide. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A high throughput apparatus for detection of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, or for identifying a target radionuclide present in a sample volume, or both, comprising
a) detecting means for detecting radiation emanating from a radionuclide in a sample volume, wherein the detecting means produces a sample signal characteristic of the radionuclide; -
b) analyzing means for analyzing the sample signal to identify its characteristics, wherein the analyzing means interacts with the detecting means;
c) identifying means for determining whether characteristics of the sample signal are similar or identical to a signal characteristic of a target radionuclide, and wherein the identifying means interacts with the analyzing means;
whereby if the sample signal is determined to be so similar or identical the apparatus has detected the target radionuclide, and whereby the apparatus, by identifying the sample signal as being so similar or identical, identifies a target radionuclide in the sample volume. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A high throughput apparatus for communicating the presence of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, the identity of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, or both, comprising
a) detecting means for detecting radiation emanating from a radionuclide in a sample volume, wherein the detecting means produces a sample signal characteristic of the radionuclide; -
b) analyzing means for analyzing the sample signal to identify its characteristics, wherein the analyzing means interacts with the detecting means;
c) identifying means for determining whether characteristics of the sample signal are similar or identical to a signal characteristic of a target radionuclide, and wherein the identifying means interacts with the analyzing means; and
d) communicating means that communicates a determination that the sample signal is so similar or identical;
whereby the apparatus communicates the presence of the target radionuclide in the sample volume, and whereby the apparatus communicates the identity of the target radionuclide in the sample volume. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A high throughput apparatus for warning of the presence and/or the identity of a threatening radionuclide in a sample volume, comprising
a) detecting means for detecting radiation emanating from a radionuclide in a sample volume, wherein the detecting means produces a sample signal characteristic of the radionuclide; -
b) analyzing means for analyzing the sample signal to identify its characteristics, wherein the analyzing means interacts with the detecting means;
c) comparing means for comparing characteristics of the sample signal to a set of signals, wherein each member of the set is a signal that is characteristic of a threatening radionuclide, wherein the comparing means interacts with the analyzing means;
d) identifying means for determining whether characteristics of the sample signal are similar or identical to a signal characteristic of a threatening radionuclide, and wherein the identifying means interacts with the comparing means; and
e) warning means that warns that the sample signal is determined to be so similar or identical;
whereby the apparatus warns of the presence of the threatening radionuclide in the sample volume, and whereby the apparatus warns of the identity of the threatening radionuclide in the sample volume. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for detecting a target radionuclide in a sample volume, or for identifying a target radionuclide present in a sample volume, or both, comprising the steps of
a) juxtaposing the sample volume and a detecting means that detects radiation emanating from a radionuclide such that the detecting means detects radiation emanating from the sample volume; -
b) detecting radiation emanating from a radionuclide in the sample volume, wherein the detecting means produces a sample signal characteristic of the radionuclide;
c) analyzing the sample signal produced in step b) to identify its characteristics;
d) determining whether identified characteristics of the sample signal are similar or identical to a signal characteristic of the target radionuclide;
whereby if the sample signal is determined to be so similar or identical the target radionuclide is detected, and whereby identifying the sample signal as being so similar or identical identifies a target radionuclide in the sample volume. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for communicating the presence of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, the identity of a target radionuclide in a sample volume, or both, comprising the steps of
a) juxtaposing the sample volume and a detecting means that detects radiation emanating from a radionuclide such that the detecting means detects radiation emanating from the sample volume; - and
b) detecting radiation emanating from a radionuclide in a sample volume, wherein the detecting means produces a sample signal characteristic of the radionuclide;
c) analyzing the sample signal to identify its characteristics;
d) determining whether characteristics of the analyzed sample signal are similar or identical to a signal characteristic of a target radionuclide; and
e) communicating a determination that the characteristics of the sample signal are so similar or identical;
thereby communicating the presence of the target radionuclide in the sample volume, or the identity of the target radionuclide in the sample volume as having signal characteristics similar or identical to the sample signal. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method for warning of the presence and/or the identity of a threatening radionuclide in a sample volume, comprising the steps of
a) juxtaposing the sample volume and a detecting means for detecting radiation emanating from a radionuclide such that the detecting means detects radiation emanating from the sample volume, wherein the detecting means produces a sample signal characteristic of the radionuclide; -
b) analyzing the sample signal to identify its characteristics;
c) comparing characteristics of the analyzed sample signal to a set of signals, wherein each member of the set is a signal that is characteristic of a threatening radionuclide;
d) determining that the characteristics of the analyzed sample signal are similar or identical to a signal characteristic of a threatening radionuclide; and
e) warning that the sample signal is determined to be so similar or identical;
thereby warning of the presence of the threatening radionuclide in the sample volume, and/or warning of the identity of a threatening radionuclide present in the sample volume. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification