Patent ID: 6713765
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: A61N,G01T

Abstract:
A dosimetry system for measuring radiation produced by radioactive seeds, comprising:a rigid structure; a scintillating fiber mounted on the rigid structure in a substantially relatively immovable manner, the scintillating fiber having a cylindrical peripheral surface and first and second end surfaces, the scintillating fiber being substantially immovable relative to the rigid structure; a light intensity measuring device attached to the rigid structure in a substantially relatively immovable manner; coupling means for optically coupling the first end surface of the scintillating fiber to an active portion of the light intensity measuring device; wherein the light intensity measuring device produces an output signal in accordance with an amount of light generated by the scintillating fiber; and wherein the scintillating fiber is mounted on the rigid structure in such a manner that a longitudinal axis of the scintillating fiber extends in a direction away from the active portion of the light intensity measuring device, with a distance between the active portion of the light intensity measuring device and the second end surface of the scintillating fiber being between substantially 15 mm and substantially 200 mm, and wherein a portion of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the scintillating fiber is both unshielded from radiation and accessible; and wherein radiation measurement is carried out adjacent the unshielded and accessible portion of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the scintillating fiber.