Radioactive material billing system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for billing based on the usage of radioactive material held in a dispensing container comprising:
- a radiation shielded chamber adapted to receive the container,a sensor for providing a signal each time the chamber is accessed,a detector means for detecting radiation emitted from the container while in the chamber,a control unit responsive to the sensor and detector means for measuring the level of radiation in the container (a) periodically and (b) each time the chamber is accessed,memory means responsive to the control unit for storing each of the radiation measurements together with the time of the access event, andmeans responsive to the control unit and memory means for calculating the radioactive material actually removed from the container based on the periodic and access measurements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Quantities of radioactive material are dispersed at a user location. Billing is accomplished by monitoring the decay of material and the degree of activity following each user withdrawal.
71 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for billing based on the usage of radioactive material held in a dispensing container comprising:
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a radiation shielded chamber adapted to receive the container, a sensor for providing a signal each time the chamber is accessed, a detector means for detecting radiation emitted from the container while in the chamber, a control unit responsive to the sensor and detector means for measuring the level of radiation in the container (a) periodically and (b) each time the chamber is accessed, memory means responsive to the control unit for storing each of the radiation measurements together with the time of the access event, and means responsive to the control unit and memory means for calculating the radioactive material actually removed from the container based on the periodic and access measurements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of measuring dispensed doses of a radioactive material from a dispensing container adapted to be held in a shielded chamber with a removable access lid using a radiation detector to measure radioactivity in the chamber comprising the steps of:
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first measuring the radioactivity in the chamber when a dispensing container is first loaded into the chamber, recording the first measurement and its time and date, second measuring the radioactivity in the chamber each time the lid is removed, recording each second measurement and its time and date, third measuring the radioactivity in the chamber each time the lid restored on the chamber, recording each third measurement and its time and date, and calculating the radioactive material actually used based on such measurements. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification