Surgical probe apparatus and system

• US 6,204,505 B1
• Filed: 10/06/1998
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Neoprobe Corporation
• Inventors: Call, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Application Number:
  US09/167,643
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 250/370.13, 250/370.01
• US Class Current: 250/370.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/161 Applications in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting apparatus for radiation diagnosis A61B6/00

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.

Claims

1. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,

a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;

a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface;

a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said access channel and into said support internal cavity;

a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;

a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.

2. The probe apparatus of claim 1 in which said cup-shaped window assembly includes a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open cylindrical interior surface, said internally disposed connection region being a shield connection region, said sleeve shield extending between a rear edge and a forward edge, said forward edge extending said forward gap distance from said mount cavity edge, and said window extends over said sleeve shield at said forward edge.

3. The probe apparatus of claim 2 in which:

said detector forward support externally disposed support connection region includes an annular shoulder spaced rearwardly from said tip; and

said sleeve shield rear edge is in abuttment with said shoulder when said shield connection region is connected with said support connection region.

4. The probe apparatus of claim 3 in which said shield connection region is threadably engagable with said support connection region.

5. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,

a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;

a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface, said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;

a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said access channel and into said support internal cavity;

a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;

a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face, said retainer and grounding assembly including an electrically conductive annular ring positioned upon said crystal mount at said mount cavity edge, compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove and including at least one resilient ground conveying tine in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

6. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,

a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;

a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface, said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;

a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said access channel and into said support internal cavity;

a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;

a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face, said retainer and grounding assembly including a flat ring formed of resilient metal positioned upon and coextensive with said mount cavity edge and compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove, said ring including a plurality of inwardly depending ground conveying tines in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

7. The probe apparatus of claim 6 in which said annular ring includes at least two resilient integrally formed dogs depending therefrom and in engagement with said retainer groove for compressibly retaining said annular ring upon said crystal mount and conveying said ground.

8. The probe apparatus of claim 7 in which:

said forward face of said crystal detector is configured with a surface coating of a given metal; and

said retainer and grounding assembly is configured with a surface coating of said given metal.

9. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,

a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;

a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface;

a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge, said rigid polymeric crystal receiver including an elongate integrally formed stem positioned within and extending through said access channel;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said stem and into said support internal cavity;

a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;

a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.

10. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,

a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;

a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface;

a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said access channel and into said support internal cavity;

a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;

a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith, said treatment circuit including an integrator stage having components mounted upon a circuit board, said circuit board being fixed to said crystal mount rear portion, said components being located in close adjacency with said rear portion and said access channel; and

a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.

11. The probe apparatus of claim 10 in which said circuit board extends rearwardly outwardly from a rigid mounting with said crystal mount rear portion within said support internal cavity.

12. The probe apparatus of claim 10 in which:

said circuit board extends rearwardly outwardly from a rigid mounting with said crystal mount rear portion at said rear surface;

said circuit board including a circuit surface at said electrical ground; and

said circuit surface is electrically coupled with said crystal mount rear surface.

13. A surgical system for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission emanating from tissue of a body, comprising:

a detector assembly, comprising;

a detector forward support having a generally cylindrical outer wall surmounting an interior support cavity and disposed about a detector axis;

a crystal mount formed of metal material attenuating said radiation emission having a generally cylindrical configuration, disposed about said detector axis, having a rearward portion mounted within said support cavity and extending forwardly with a cylindrical outer mount surface, having a forwardly disposed crystal retention cavity opening forwardly along said detector axis, having a cavity interior surface extending to a forward mount cavity edge, and an access channel extending from the bottom of said cavity interior surface through said rearward portion;

a rigid, polymeric electrically insulated crystal receiver mounted within said crystal retention cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;

a detector rearward support extending along a support axis, having a shoulder portion fixed to said detector forward support, having a rearwardly depending shoulder surface, and including a positioning shaft extending a predetermined length from said shoulder surface, said shoulder portion and said positioning shaft surmounting an internal shaft cavity communicating with said access channel;

a bias conveying and signal receiving forward lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity bottom surface through said access channel and into said internal shaft cavity;

a cup-shaped window assembly mounted upon said detector forward support over said crystal mount and having a radiation transmissible window portion extending over and spaced from said forward mount cavity edge and said outer mount surface to respectively define a forward gap and a side gap;

a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting engagement with said forward lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and extending along a side surface to a forward face adjacent said forward edge, said detector being responsive to radiation passing through said window portion to provide a detector output;

a treatment circuit located within said internal shaft cavity for applying a bias to said detector crystal rearward face through said forward lead assembly, for applying ground to said detector forward support housing, said crystal mount, said window assembly and said detector rearward support and for electrically treating said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;

a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said forward cavity edge, abuttably, compressibly and rigidly retaining said crystal detector against said forward lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttibly conveying electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face; and

an electrical terminal assembly mounted upon said positioning shaft and in electrical communication with said treatment circuit;

a disposable handle component, including;

a hand gripable handle housing having a forwardly disposed retainer portion with a receiving cavity configured for removably receiving said positioning shaft to locate it at an operative orientation;

an electrical contact assemblage mounted within said handle housing adjacent said receiving cavity and having electrical contacts mounted thereon engageable in circuit completing relationship with said electrical terminal assembly when said positioning shaft is in said operative orientation;

a flexible electrical transmission cable coupled to said handle housing and having electrical leads connected with electrical contact assemblage electrical contacts and extending to an electrical connector component; and

a signal treatment and control assembly having an input connector for removable electrical coupling with said cable electrical connector component and responsive to said output signals conveyed by said cable to provide perceptible output signals.

14. The surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said crystal mount is formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge; and

said retainer and grounding assembly includes an electrically conductive annular ring positioned upon said crystal mount at said mount cavity edge, compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove and including at least one resilient ground conveying tine in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

15. The surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said crystal mount is formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge; and

said retainer and grounding assembly includes a flat ring formed of resilient metal positioned upon and coextensive with said mount cavity edge and compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove, said ring including a plurality of inwardly depending ground conveying tines in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

16. The surgical system of claim 15 in which said annular ring includes at least two resilient integrally formed dogs depending therefrom and in engagement with said retainer groove for compressibly retaining said annular ring upon said crystal mount and conveying said ground.

17. The surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said rigid polymeric crystal receiver includes an elongate integrally formed stem positioned within and extending through said access channel; and

said forward lead assembly extends through and is retained within said stem.

18. A surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said treatment circuit includes an integrator stage having components mounted upon a circuit board; and

said circuit board is fixed to said crystal mount rearward portion, said components being located in close adjacency with said rearward portion and said access channel.

19. The surgical system of claim 18 in which said circuit board extends rearwardly outwardly from a rigid mounting with said crystal mount rearward portion within said internal shaft cavity.

20. The surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said detector forward support, said detector rearward support and said window assembly are formed of metal; and

said detector rearward support is threadably engaged with said detector forward support.

21. The surgical system of claim 13 in which said electrically insulative crystal receiver interior sidewall surface is configured to abuttably engage said side surface of said crystal detector.

22. The surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said electrical terminal assembly includes a predetermined pattern of discrete electrical contacts mounted upon a rearwardly disposed electrically insulative electrical contact support surface;

said electrical contact assemblage within said handle housing includes a predetermined pattern of discrete electrical terminals corresponding with said predetermined pattern of discrete electrical contacts;

a first orienting assemblage positioned upon said positioning shaft; and

a second orienting assemblage positioned upon said handle housing retainer portion and mechanically cooperative with said first orienting assembly to align said discrete electrical contacts in circuit completing relationship with said discrete electrical terminals when said positioning shaft is in said operative orientation.

23. The surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said detector forward support, said detector rearward support and said window assembly are formed of metal;

said detector axis is canted at a predetermined angle with respect to said support axis; and

said detector rearward support is threadably engaged with said detector forward support.

24. The surgical system of claim 13 in which:

said hand gripable handle housing includes a latch assembly having an engagement component spring biased for forward movement;

said detector forward support, said detector rearward support and said window assembly are formed of metal; and

said detector rearward support includes a latching notch extending inwardly in parallel relationship with said support axis from said shoulder surface at a location receiving said engaging component when said positioning shaft is at said operative orientation.

25. The surgical system of claim 24 in which:

said handle housing includes a forwardly disposed contact surface; and

said positioning shaft is locatable at said operative orientation when said shoulder surface is in abutting adjacency with said contact surface.

26. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;

a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;

a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face;

a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;

a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;

said sleeve shield and said window being formed as a cup-shaped window assembly, said sleeve shield having an open cylindrical interior surface with a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed sleeve shield connection region located rearwardly from said forward portion and connected with said housing connection region, said sleeve shield having a sleeve shield length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance from said mount cavity edge when said sleeve shield connection region is connected with said housing connection region, and said window extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface.

27. The probe apparatus of claim 26 in which said crystal mount is formed of rigid, polymeric material.

28. The probe apparatus of claim 26 in which:

said crystal seating surface forms an interior bottom surface of a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge; and

said crystal detector is mounted in closely nesting relationship within said mount cavity, said forward face of said crystal being adjacent said mount cavity edge.

29. The probe apparatus of claim 26 in which said sleeve shield connection region is threadably engaged with said housing connection region.

30. The probe apparatus of claim 26 in which:

said crystal mount has a channel extending from said interior bottom surface into said housing cavity; and

said lead assembly extends through and is retained within said channel.

31. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;

a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;

a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face;

a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;

a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface, said retainer assembly being formed of electrically conductive material and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.

32. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;

a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric exten,t said crystal seating surface forming an interior bottom surface of a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, and said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;

a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly, having a side surface extending to a forward face, and being mounted in closely nesting relationship within said mount cavity, said forward face of said crystal detector being adjacent said mount cavity edge;

a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;

a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface and including an electrically conductive annular ring positioned upon said crystal mount at said mount cavity edge, compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove, coupled with said electrical ground, and including at least one resilient ground conveying tine in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

33. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;

a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent, said crystal seating surface forming an interior bottom surface of a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, and said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;

a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face and being mounted in closely nesting relationship within said mount cavity, said forward face of said crystal being adjacent said mount cavity edge;

a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;

a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface, said retainer assembly including a flat ring formed of resilient metal coupled with said electrical ground positioned upon and coextensive with said mount cavity edge and compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove, said ring including a plurality of inwardly depending ground conveying tines in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

34. The probe apparatus of claim 33 in which said annular ring includes at least two resilient integrally formed dogs depending therefrom and in engagement with said retainer groove for compressibly retaining said annular ring upon said crystal mount and conveying said ground.

35. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;

a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;

a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face, said forward face of said crystal detector being configured with a surface coating of a given metal;

a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;

a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; and

a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface, said retainer assembly being configured with a surface coating of said given metal.

36. Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;

a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;

a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;

a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face;

a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;

a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;

a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith, said treatment circuit including an integrator stage having components mounted upon a circuit board, and said circuit board is fixed to said crystal mount rearward portion, said components being located in close adjacency with said rearward portion and said channel; and

a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface.

37. The probe apparatus of claim 36 in which said circuit board extends rearwardly outwardly from a rigid mounting with said crystal mount rearward portion within said internal handle cavity.