Abstract:
The system (10) includes a main (12) and a background gamma radiation detector (14) provided in a vestlike garment (16) worn by a patient during a prescribed period of time. Also included is an apparatus and method for determining the exact location of the left ventricle of the heart and positioning and maintaining the main radiation detector (12) relative to the left ventricle, during an ambulatory study period. Information from detectors (10) and (12), as well as ECG electrodes is electronically processed and recorded on a portable cassette recorder, and may thereafter be presented to the memory of a stand alone computer (92), which calculates and displays R-R time intervals, electrocardiogram and time-activity curves, and other physiological data. From the computer calculations the average heart rate, number of aberrant beats, left ventricular ejection fraction, relative cardiac blood volume and other physiological values may be determined.
Abstract:
A non-invasive radio nuclide detection meter is disclosed which allows accurate counting of radio nuclide substances. The present invention has a control unit coupled to a sample holder. The sample is held in a shielded container and a phosphor scintillation detector is used to detect low energy photon emission or Bremsstrahlung. The low energy photon emissions are measured by energy readings through a six channel counter which counts emissions from at different energy levels. By measuring scintillation energies from the phosphor and counting the photon emissions at different energy levels from the ratio nuclide sample, amounts of impurities may be estimated and the activity determination of the sample may be corrected.