AtomLab 100 plus - Dose Calibrator

QC and Isotope setting

 

  1. The dose calibrator (DC) power should always be on, however, should you need to turn it on the switch can be found in the back
  2. QC should be done first thing in the morning, every morning, when you are open to receive patients
  3. Self-Test is initiated when the power is turned on
    1. However, if the power is already on select the Test key (blue box)
      1. This test evaluates the over electrons and operation of the DC
      2. Electrometer sensitivity chamber bias supply, software checksum, and display settings
      3. The following sequence is noted, once the Test key is selected
        1. The main LED will show " 8.8.8.8" followed by the smaller LED (yellow box) displaying the same series of 8s
        2. Next all green buttons will be eliminated
        3. Ending with the words, "high" and "elec" displayed in the yellow box
        4. Once the test is over the main LED will display the background counts within the chamber
        5. The test is over when a "click" is heard and the Tc-99m button will light up
        6. If all this occurs this initiates the DC is operating normally. If something is wrong an error message should be displayed
  4. Background Correction
    1. Now set the background found in the blue box by select this button
    2. LED should display something close to zero μCi
    3. Let it balance out, close to zero, then select the background button again to disengage this reading
    4. Background button can be selected any time for reset prior to any isotope reading
  5. Complete constancy check with 137Cs
    1. Place sealed source into ionization chamber
    2. Follow the lab procedure as indicated in your lab
  6. Measuring a source of activity
    1. Select the corresponding radioisotope button to be measured and place the activity into the ionization chamber
    2. Regarding very low amounts of activity
      1. Prior to placing the activity into the chamber look at the LED display, watch it "swing" back and forth as it registers background
      2. Select the highest reading. It should be in μCi (A)
      3. Now place your source in the chamber and again look for the highest reading (B)
      4. Apply the following to determine net activity B - A = net activity
  7. Selecting a radioisotope that is not one of the buttons - Example 60Co
    1. Select the "Other" button in the purple box
    2. The press "setup" button 4 times (yellow box)
    3. The LED above the button lights up and flashes
    4. Key in the correct number that correspond to the Radioisotope Setting
    5. For 60Co the value is 5.0
    6. Using the up/down arrow move the reading to 5.0
    7. Then hit the Enter key
    8. The "other" button is now set to for 60Co


The above are different types of dose calibrators

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