Radiant energy – Automatic/serial detection of similar sources
Patent
1991-09-23
1993-02-09
Hannaher, Constantine
Radiant energy
Automatic/serial detection of similar sources
G01T 708
Patent
active
051855259
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a changer mechanism for the individual measurement of radioactive samples in a gamma counter, the changer mechanism comprising an identifying element for identifying sample containers of different sizes and a device for transferring the sample to the measuring unit for measuring and back therefrom after measuring.
2. Description of Related Art
Gamma counter measurements of radioactive samples are commonly conducted using either RIA (Radio Immuno Assay) devices, then the question usually being of a mass survey, or research devices, the question being of a single research of a small series only. RIA devices must be fast and therefore they handle several samples simultaneously. A research device need not be so fast but samples may, instead, be in containers or cassettes of different sizes. The radioactive isotope of the samples may also emit high energy radiation and therefore the detector of a research device must be larger and the lead shield must be much better than in a RIA device.
Either well-type or diametrically through hole-type detectors are generally used in counters. Well-type detectors are provided with a hollow, formed in the detector material, in which the sample is inserted. In hole-type detectors a hole goes through the detector material into which the sample is lifted. A well-type detector is easier to manufacture. It also has better efficiency and it is easier to shield than a hole-type detector.
Known gamma counters have been presented e.g. in the US patent publications U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,029,961 and 4,035,642. In these devices the sample vials to be measured have been placed in cassettes of ten vials and the measuring device takes one cassette at a time for measuring. As there are ten gamma detectors in the device, all samples in the cassette can be measured simultaneously. However, this kind of device is only suitable for use in RIA measurements because it would become too large and expensive for use in research if manufactured using known technique. Moreover, one cannot use a well-type detector in this kind of device because the sample is lifted into the detector.
For economical reasons, research devices have only one large and well shielded detector. Since it has not been possible to combine RIA devices and research devices, those isotope laboratories which want to do both RIA counting and actual gamma research have been forced to purchase two separate counters. Therefore, for economical reasons, counters are also manufactured with 1, 2, or 4 detectors. They are larger and better shielded than necessary in actual RIA work and therefore they can, to a certain extent, be also used in research work. However, the drawback in RIA work is lower speed compared to actual RIA devices and limited efficiency in research work. Furthermore, the volume of samples cannot exceed that of RIA samples.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of this invention is to provide a new sample changer mechanism in such a gamma counter wherein sample containers and their cassettes are of different sizes. The sample changer mechanism according to the invention is characterized in that the changer mechanism comprises a grip unit and a lifting device for lifting and transferring the sample from the transfer unit to the measuring unit, and that the grip unit is provided with grip elements for transferring samples of different sizes based on the information obtained from the identifying unit.
The other characteristics of the invention have been set forth in the ensuing claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in the following by means of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 shows an axonometric view of a gamma counter according to the invention.
FIG. 2 shows the gamma counter of FIG. 1 viewed from the side.
FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2 and shows the gamma counter moving a sample container into the measuring unit.
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken along the line A--A in FIG.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2924718 (1960-02-01), Pacuard et al.
patent: 4122936 (1978-10-01), Johnson
patent: 4582990 (1986-04-01), Stevens
patent: 4924093 (1990-05-01), Johnson et al.
Aalto Juhani
Wallenius Seppo
Glick Edward J.
Hannaher Constantine
Wallac Oy
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