Portable detection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A portable detection apparatus, comprising:
- a) a housing;
b) a first detector within the housing configured to detect ionizing radiation comprising background radiation and secondary radiation from a subject;
c) a second detector within the housing configured to detect the background radiation;
d) a shield within the housing surrounding the first and second detectors and defining a shield aperture around the first and second detectors configured to facilitate radiation from the subject to enter the housing;
e) a radiation blocking member configured to substantially block at least a portion of the ionizing radiation entering the housing through the shield aperture from reaching the second detector, whereby radiation detected by the second detector comprises substantially only the background radiation; and
f) a processor module connected to the first and second detectors configured to determine the amount of ionizing radiation detected by the first detector attributable to the secondary radiation;
wherein the detection apparatus has an operating sensitivity capable of detecting an activity of at least about 460 Bq within the subject using a 5 minute scan.
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Abstract
A portable detection apparatus can include a housing, a first detector for detecting ionizing radiation from a first subject and a second detector within the housing for the detecting the background radiation. A shield within the housing can surround the first and second detectors and define a shield aperture around the first and second detectors for radiation from the subject to enter the housing. A radiation blocking member can substantially block at least a portion of the ionizing radiation from reaching the second detector, whereby radiation detected by the second detector comprises substantially only the background radiation. A processor module can be connected to the first and second detectors for determining the amount of ionizing radiation detected by the first detector attributable to secondary radiation.
19 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A portable detection apparatus, comprising:
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a) a housing; b) a first detector within the housing configured to detect ionizing radiation comprising background radiation and secondary radiation from a subject; c) a second detector within the housing configured to detect the background radiation; d) a shield within the housing surrounding the first and second detectors and defining a shield aperture around the first and second detectors configured to facilitate radiation from the subject to enter the housing; e) a radiation blocking member configured to substantially block at least a portion of the ionizing radiation entering the housing through the shield aperture from reaching the second detector, whereby radiation detected by the second detector comprises substantially only the background radiation; and f) a processor module connected to the first and second detectors configured to determine the amount of ionizing radiation detected by the first detector attributable to the secondary radiation;
wherein the detection apparatus has an operating sensitivity capable of detecting an activity of at least about 460 Bq within the subject using a 5 minute scan. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of measuring the quantity of a beta-emitting radioactive material within a subject using a portable detection apparatus, the method comprising:
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a) positioning the portable detection apparatus adjacent the subject, the portable detection apparatus comprising a first detector, configured to detect ionizing radiation comprising background radiation and secondary radiation, and a second detector configured to detect ionizing radiation; b) detecting a combination of the secondary radiation and the background radiation using the first detector and providing a corresponding a first output signal; c) simultaneously detecting the background radiation using the second detector and providing a corresponding second output signal; and d) automatically calculating a resultant output value based on at least the first output signal and the second output signal, wherein the resultant output value comprises at least one of the first quantity of secondary radiation and the second quantity of radioactive material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification