Portable real time in-situ gamma-ray analysis system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018246232-A1
Application number	US-201615756667-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 8, 2016
Priority date	Sep 8, 2015
Publication date	Aug 30, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A gamma-ray analysis system is described for analyzing gamma-ray emitting radionuclides. The gamma-ray analysis system includes an analytical apparatus having a gamma-ray detector in operative communication with a modular and scalable shield assembly that encases a sample container having a sample to be tested. The detector communicates data to an electronic interface device that converts the data from an analog format to a digital format before a controller transmits the data to a central laboratory for further data processing, analysis and conclusion by qualified laboratory analysts. The controller runs an application software package on a graphic user interface that allows simple steps for conducting testing and data acquisition by the end user, while permitting real time data transmission between the field site and the central location. Functions were implemented for ensuring laboratory quality results while removing knowledge and experience requirements of an end user.

First claim

1 . A portable analytical apparatus comprising:
a central laboratory controller; and a portable field unit in operative communication with the central laboratory controller, the portable field unit comprising:
a modular frame that is scalable;
a modular shield assembly that is scalable and coupled to the modular frame, the modular shield assembly defining a chamber for receiving a sample container having a sample therein and being made of a material that shields the chamber from any emissions from the outside environment;
a detector arrangement coupled to the modular frame and the modular shield assembly, the detector arrangement including a detector in communication with the sample container disposed within the chamber of the modular shield assembly for detecting radioactive emissions from the sample contained therein; and
a controller for receiving data from the detector arrangement related to gamma-ray emissions emitted from the sample.

2 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular shield assembly further comprises one or more middle portions collectively defining a chamber.

3 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the modular shield assembly comprises a top portion including a rotatable cover in communication with the chamber of the middle portion for opening and closing access to the chamber by the rotatable cover.

4 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the modular shield assembly comprises a bottom portion coupled to the detector assembly, wherein the bottom portion defines a central bore configured to receive a portion of the detector assembly.

5 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular frame comprises a base with at least one pair of wheels and/or at least one pair of caster wheels.

6 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular frame comprises a controller stand assembly including a platform configured to serve as a base for the controller

7 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an electronic interface component for processing the data from the detector arrangement related to any radioactive emissions emitted from the sample and converting the data from an analog format to a digital format.

8 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a removable protective piece configured to be disposed within the chamber of the middle portion and at least partially encase the sample container.

9 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a removable protection piece defining an interior chamber configured to receive therein the sample container, wherein the sample container is configured to be received within the chamber of the middle portion of the shielding assembly.

10 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shield assembly is made from a material that shields the sample from background gamma-ray emissions from the outside environment.

11 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller runs a software application that transmits the data in digital format to a remote central location for further processing and analysis.

12 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a camera in operative communication with the controller for taking a picture of the sample before or after testing of the sample; and a global positioning system (GPS) in operative communication with the controller for transmitting the location of the field unit to a central laboratory.

13 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular shield assembly comprises a stainless steel material.

14 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular shield assembly may be made from a material that is similar or has a better shielding capability than that of stainless steel based on the similar or better physical properties of the material, such as density and mechanical strength.

15 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mathematical modeling package in operative communication with the controller for converting detected radioactivity concentration comprising Bq/kg to dose exposure.

16 . A portable analytical apparatus comprising:
a modular frame that is scalable; a modular shield assembly that is scalable for accommodating different geometries and sizes of samples and coupled to the modular frame, the modular shield assembly comprising a middle portion defining a chamber for receiving a sample container having a sample therein, a top portion including a rotatable cover in communication with the chamber of the middle portion for opening and closing access to the chamber by the rotatable cover, and a bottom portion defining a central bore in communication with the chamber of the middle portion; a detector arrangement coupled to the modular frame and received within the central bore of the bottom portion for the modular shield assembly, the detector arrangement including a detector in communication with the sample container disposed within the chamber of the modular shield assembly for detecting any radioactive emissions from the sample contained therein; and a controller for receiving data from the detector assembly related to any radioactive emissions emitted from the sample.

17 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the shielding assembly is made of a material that shields the chamber from any emissions from the outside environment.

18 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a balance for providing density determinations of the sample.

19 . The portable analytical apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a modular assembly that allows the detector to point to different directions when analysis is needed for subjects outside of the shield assembly with different geometries.

20 . A method for detecting gamma-ray radiation in a sample in situ comprising:
providing a portable analytical apparatus comprising:
a modular frame;
a modular shield assembly coupled to the modular frame, the modular shield assembly defining a chamber for receiving a sample container having a sample therein and being made of a material that shields the chamber from any emissions from the outside environment;
a detector arrangement coupled to the modular frame and the modular shield assembly, the detector arrangement including a detector in communication with the sample container disposed within the chamber of the modular shield assembly for detecting any gamma-ray emissions from the sample contained therein; and
a controller for receiving data from the detector arrangement related to any radioactive emissions emitted from the sample;
conducting a background check for the presence of background radiation interference proximate the portable analytical apparatus; conducting a calibration check of the portable analytical apparatus; counting a laboratory control sample; disposing a sample within the sample container and inserting the sample container within the modular shielding assembly for the detection of radioactive emissions from the sample by the detector arrangement; and transmitting the data related to the detection of the radioactive emissions to a central laboratory for analysis.

21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising inserting the sample container into a sample container handler prior to insertion into the shielding assembly.

Assignees

• The Usa As Represented By The Sec Dep Of Health And Human Services
• Canberra Ind Inc

Inventors

• Wei Cong
• Garnick Kelly M
• Scott Thomas A
• Malkin Elon M
• Szymanski Jennifer T
• Laskos Steve
• Cocks James
• Ralmondi Jeffrey
• Mowry Richard
• Gonzalez Hiram
• White Ronald
• Mueller Wilhelm
• Fournier Robert

Classifications

• G01T7/02 Primary

  Collecting means for receiving or storing samples to be investigated {and possibly directly transporting the samples to the measuring arrangement; particularly for investigating radioactive fluids (sampling, preparing specimens for investigation in general G01N1/00, G01N1/02; shielded cells or rooms structurally combined with manipulatin devices G21F; measuring of chromatographically separated samples G01N30/00 - G01N30/96)} · CPC title

• G01T1/167

  Measuring radioactive content of objects, e.g. contamination (whole body counters G01T1/163) · CPC title

• G01T7/00 Primary

  Details of radiation-measuring instruments · CPC title