Radiation detection apparatus

• US 6,242,741 B1
• Filed: 10/23/1998
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc. (Dynasil Corp. of America), United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Miller, Eric, Rader, Richard Scott, Wells, Timothy N., Stoppel, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Application Number:
  US09/177,636
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 250/363.02, 250/363.1, 600/436
• US Class Current: 250/363.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• 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 radiation detection apparatus includes a hand-held probe with a switch assembly removably mounted thereon. The switch assembly having first and second switches, one to initiate transmission of electrical signals representing scintillations detected over a set time period to a remotely located control unit for counting and averaging, and the other to direct the control unit to download and preferably record the counted and averaged scintillation values for further use. The switch assembly has an insulating member for electrically insulating the switches from the probe, and spaced gripping members that releasably grip the probe. A movable stand is provided preferably with a holder for holding the probe. The probe can have a protective cover thereon with a switch assembly mounted onto the probe over the cover.

Claims

1. A radiation detection apparatus comprising:

means for counting a scintillation count value;

means for outputting a scintillation count value to a utilization device;

a hand-held probe including a scintillation detector;

means for connecting said probe to said counting means;

first means positioned on said probe for, in a first state, remotely causing said counting means to accumulate a first scintillation count over a first period and, in a second state, remotely causing said counting means to accumulate a second scintillation count over a second period, said second period being longer than said first period;

a display, which, in response to said second state of said first means, operates to display said second scintillation count for a preset period; and

second means positioned on said probe for causing, upon activation, said output means to manifest an accumulated scintillation count from said counting means, wherein an activation of said second means during said preset time period causes said output means to manifest said second scintillation count, and a lack of activation of said second means during said preset time period causes said counting means to accumulate a scintillation count over said first period.

2. The radiation detection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second means are mounted on a carrier that is removably positioned on and that electrically isolates said first and said second means from said probe.

3. The radiation detection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second period is about ten seconds.

4. The radiation detection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first period is about one second.

5. The radiation detection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said activation of said second means is operative, at times other than during said preset time period, to cause said count means to accumulate scintillation counts for differing time periods.

6. The radiation apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said preset time period is about three seconds.

7. The radiation detection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said radiation detection apparatus is adapted to receive an exchangeable, rechargeable battery.

8. The radiation detection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said output means downloads to a utilization device through an electrically isolating interface that precludes reverse signal transfer from said utilization device.