Patent ID: 6218669
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61B,G01T

Abstract:
Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having an outwardly extending transition portion at said forward region and having a handle connection region located forwardly from said transition portion;a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said handle cavity and extending forwardly from said forward region tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having a channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface;a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said channel and into said handle cavity;a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting bias conveying engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face of predetermined diameter adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;a cup-shaped window assembly including a sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent, a shield connection region located rearwardly therefrom and removably connected with said handle component handle connection region and a length extending between a rear edge and a forward edge, said rear edge being adjacent said transition region and said forward edge extending a gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said shield connection region is connected with said handle connection region, and a window formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield at said forward edge in spaced relationship from said crystal detector to define a gap;a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying said bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith; anda retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably conveying electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.