Probe apparatus with laser guiding for locating a source of radioactivity

• US 7,038,205 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Bushberg, Jerrold T., Case, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gabor, Otilia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sung, Christine
• Application Number:
  US10/903,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 250/336.1, 250/515.1, 600/436
• US Class Current: 250/336.1
• 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 highly directional radiation probe with a laser guide to pinpoint the position of a source of radiation. The probe is configured with a lead pinhole collimator, a radiation detector configured to detect radiation through the pinhole, and a laser positioned in the collimator and configured to project a beam through the pinhole. When the probe is aligned with the radiation source detected through the pinhole, the laser is activated and projects a beam at the source position. The probe can scan a person in three dimensions to quickly locate radioactive shrapnel for removal. The probe can also be used to pinpoint small sources of radiation in a localized area within a radius up to about 20 meters or further, depending on the level of radiation exposure encountered. The probe is adapted to be hand-held, battery-operated and used with a visual or audible radioactivity indicator or a visual display device.

Claims

1. A probe apparatus for locating a source of radioactivity, comprising:

a collimator;

said collimator having proximal and distal ends;

said collimator having a pinhole positioned in said distal end;

a radiation detector positioned adjacent said pinhole; and

a light source positioned adjacent said pinhole;

wherein said collimator and said radiation detector form a highly directional probe for detecting radioactivity;

wherein said collimator and said light source form a highly directional light emitter for visually locating said source of radioactivity; and

a sleeve configured to mount within said collimator;

said sleeve adapted to support said light source;

said sleeve further adapted to adjustably align said light source with said pinhole.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said radiation detector comprises a gamma radiation detector.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said gamma radiation detector is selected from the group consisting essentially of an Ion Chamber, a Geiger Mueller Tube, a Diode Based Detector, a Sodium Iodide detector and a Cesium Iodide detector.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting essentially of a laser diode, an Argon laser, and a Helium Neon laser.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a housing adapted to support said collimator.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a switch adapted to activate said light source means for generating an observable beam, said switch positioned on said housing.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said housing is constructed of aluminum.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a battery pack configured to provide power to said light source, said battery pack positioned in said housing.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of level indicators associated with said housing, said level indicators configured to indicate orientation of said apparatus.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a lead plug having a distal end and a proximal end;

said distal end of said plug adapted to couple to said proximal end of said collimator;

said proximal end of said plug adapted to couple to said housing;

wherein said plug is adapted to block said radiation detector from gamma radiation.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said pinhole has a diameter of up to approximately 0.250 inches.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising a removable sleeve adapted to change the cross section area of said pinhole.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising a variable aperture mechanism adapted to change the diameter of said pinhole.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said collimator comprises:

a center core; and

a cylindrical shell, said shell adapted to mate with said center core;

wherein said shell is adapted to be removable from said probe apparatus.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is adapted to be coupled to a visual and/or audible indicator of radiation intensity.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an articulating support arm adapted for performing a systematic scan; and

a visual display device coupled to said radiation detector;

wherein said visual display device is configured to produce a visual image of radiation intensity detected by said radiation detector when a systematic scan is performed.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said visual display device is selected from the group consisting essentially of a printer, a plotter, a video display screen, and a stereotactic device.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said articulating support arm is further adapted to articulate in three dimensions.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said articulating support arm is further adapted to articulate robotically.

41. A probe as recited in claim 1:

wherein said collimator has a single pinhole; and

wherein said light source is positioned between said pinhole and said radiation detector.

42. A probe as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a housing adapted to support said collimator;

wherein said light source can be adjustably aligned with said pinhole without accessing said collimator supported in said housing.

20. A probe for indicating a source of radioactivity, comprising:

a lead collimator having proximal and distal ends;

a pinhole positioned in said distal end of said collimator;

means for detecting radiation passing through said pinhole;

means for generating an observable beam through said pinhole;

wherein said collimator and said means for detecting radiation form a highly directional probe;

wherein said collimator and said means for generating an observable beam form a highly directional light emitter for visually locating said source of radioactivity; and

a sleeve configured to insert into said collimator;

said sleeve adapted to support said means for generating an observable beam;

said sleeve further adapted to adjustably align said means for generating an observable beam with said pinhole.

21. A probe as recited in claim 20, wherein said means for detecting radiation comprises a gamma radiation detector.

22. A probe as recited in claim 21, wherein said gamma radiation detector is selected from the group consisting essentially of an Ion Chamber, a Geiger Mueller Tube, a Diode Based Detector a Sodium Iodide detector and a Cesium Iodide detector.

23. A probe as recited in claim 20, wherein said means for generating an observable beam is selected from the group consisting essentially of a laser diode, an Argon laser, and a Helium Neon laser.

24. A probe as recited in claim 20, further comprising a handle adapted to support said collimator.

25. A probe as recited in claim 24, further comprising a switch adapted to activate said means for generating an observable beam, said switch positioned on said handle.

26. A probe as recited in claim 24, further comprising a battery pack configured to provide power to said means for generating an observable beam.

27. A probe as recited in claim 24, further comprising a plurality of level indicators configured to indicate orientation of said probe.

28. A probe as recited in claim 24, wherein said handle is constructed of aluminum.

29. A probe as recited in claim 24, further comprising:

a lead plug having a distal end and a proximal end;

said distal end of said plug adapted to couple to said proximal end of said collimator;

said proximal end of said plug adapted to couple to said handle;

wherein said plug is adapted to block said means for detecting radiation from gamma radiation.

30. A probe as recited in claim 20, wherein said pinhole has a diameter of up to approximately 0.250 inches.

31. A probe as recited in claim 30, further comprising a removable sleeve adapted to change the cross section area of said pinhole.

32. A probe as recited in claim 30, further comprising a variable aperture mechanism adapted to change the diameter of said pinhole.

33. An apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein said collimator comprises:

a center core; and

a cylindrical shell, said shell adapted to mate with said center core;

said shell further adapted to be removable from said probe.

34. A probe as recited in claim 20, wherein said probe is adapted to couple to a visual and/or audible indicator of radiation intensity.

35. A probe as recited in claim 20, further comprising:

an articulating support arm adapted for performing a systematic scan; and

means for producing a visual image of radiation intensity detected by said radiation detection means when a systematic scan is performed.

36. A probe as recited in claim 35, wherein said means for producing a visual image is selected from the group consisting essentially of a printer, a plotter a display screen and a stereotactic device.

37. A probe as recited in claim 35, wherein said articulating support arm is further adapted to articulate in three dimensions.

38. A probe as recited in claim 35, wherein said articulating support arm is further adapted to articulate robotically.

39. A probe as recited in claim 20:

wherein said collimator has a single pinhole; and

wherein said means for generating an observable beam is positioned between said pinhole and said means for detecting radiation.

40. A probe as recited in claim 20, further comprising:

a housing adapted to support said collimator;

wherein said means for generating an observable beam can be adjustably aligned with said pinhole without accessing said collimator supported in said housing.

43. A probe with laser guiding for indicating a point source of gamma radiation, comprising:

a lead collimator having proximal and distal ends;

a pinhole positioned in said distal end of said collimator;

at least one gamma radiation detector positioned within said collimator to detect gamma radiation passing through said pinhole; and

a laser emitter positioned in said collimator and aligned to project a beam through said pinhole in said collimator;

wherein said collimator and said gamma radiation detector form a highly directional radiation probe;

wherein said laser emitter is configured to indicate a point source of gamma radiation detected by said gamma radiation detector; and

wherein said collimator comprises;

a center core, said center core mounted in said probe;

a cylindrical shell, said shell adapted to mate with said center core;

said shell further adapted to be removable from said probe.

44. A probe as recited in claim 43, wherein said gamma radiation detector is selected from the group consisting essentially of an Ion Chamber, a Geiger Mueller Tube, a Diode Based Detector, a Sodium Iodide detector and a Cesium Iodide detector.

45. A probe as recited in claim 43, wherein said laser emitter is selected from the group consisting essentially of a laser diode, an Argon laser and a Helium Neon laser.

46. A probe as recited in claim 43, further comprising a housing adapted to support said collimator.

47. A probe as recited in claim 46, further comprising a momentary switch adapted to activate said laser emitter, said switch positioned on said housing.

48. A probe as recited in claim 46, further comprising a battery pack configured to provide power to said laser emitter.

49. A probe as recited in claim 46, further comprising a plurality of level indicators configured to indicate orientation of said probe.

50. A probe as recited in claim 46, wherein said housing is constructed of aluminum.

51. A probe as recited in claim 46, further comprising:

a lead plug having a distal end and a proximal end;

said distal end of said plug adapted to couple to said proximal end of said collimator;

said proximal end of said plug adapted to couple to said housing;

wherein said plug is adapted to block gamma radiation to said gamma radiation detector.

52. A probe as recited in claim 43, wherein said pinhole has a diameter of up to approximately 0.250 inches.

53. A probe as recited in claim 52, further comprising a removable sleeve adapted to change the cross section area of said pinhole.

54. A probe as recited in claim 52, further comprising a variable aperture mechanism adapted to change the diameter of said pinhole.

55. A probe as recited in claim 43, wherein said probe is adapted to couple to a visual and/or audible indicator of radiation intensity.

56. A probe as recited in claim 43, further comprising;

a sleeve configured to mount within said collimator;

said sleeve adapted to support said laser emitter;

said sleeve further adapted to adjustably align said laser emitter with said pinhole.

57. A probe apparatus for locating a source of radioactivity, comprising:

a collimator;

a single pinhole within said collimator;

a light source mounted within said collimator;

wherein said light source is positioned adjacent said pinhole;

a radiation detector positioned adjacent said light source and aligned with said pinhole;

wherein said pinhole and said radiation detector form a highly directional probe for detecting radioactivity;

wherein said pinhole and said light source form a highly directional light emitter for visually locating said source of radioactivity; and

wherein said collimator comprises;

a center core, said center core mounted in said probe;

a cylindrical shell, said shell adapted to mate with said center core;

said shell further adapted to be removable from said probe.

58. A probe as recited in claim 57, further comprising:

a housing adapted to support said collimator;

wherein said light source can be adjustably aligned with said pinhole without accessing said collimator supported in said housing.