Radiant energy – Automatic/serial detection of similar sources
Patent
1991-09-23
1993-06-01
Dzierzynski, Paul M.
Radiant energy
Automatic/serial detection of similar sources
250366, G01T 708
Patent
active
052162435
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a sample changer mechanism for radioactive samples in gamma counter for use in mass survey comprising two or more well-type detectors, the changer mechanism comprising a lifting device for the simultaneous moving of two or more samples from the transfer unit to the measuring unit for measuring and back therefrom after measuring, and the lifting device comprising a grip unit and grip elements for moving the samples into the measuring unit which includes a detector for each simultaneously measured sample.
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 U.S. Pat. No. 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.
The object of this invention is to provide a new changer mechanism for a RIA gamma counter device. The invention is characterized in, that principally all detectors of the measuring unit are on the same horizontal plane and, viewed from above, form a figure which differs from a straight row, and that the lifting device is designed to group the samples according to the figure formed by the detectors so that the samples can be lowered into contact with the detectors simultaneously.
The other characteristics of the invention have been set forth in the ensuing claims.
The invention will now be described by means of examples referring to the enclosed 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 the sample containers into the measuring unit.
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken along the line B--B in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 shows the measuring unit of the gamma counter of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6
REFERENCES:
patent: 4303858 (1981-12-01), strup
patent: 4348588 (1982-09-01), Yrjonen et al.
patent: 4582990 (1986-04-01), Stevens
Heinonen Aarne
Varjonen Markku
Dzierzynski Paul M.
Hanig Richard
Wallac Oy
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