A radioactivity measuring device designed to measure the radioactivity of radioactive elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radioactivity measuring device designed to measure the radioactivity of a radioactive element, comprising: an ionization chamber (2) for receiving said radioactive element, and an electronic / computer system (3) for controlling the operation of said radioactivity measuring device (1). The electronic / computer system (3) comprises voice control means (33) comprising: at least one microphone (331) capable of capturing voice commands (V) issued by an operator, a recognition module (332) designed to convert said voice commands (V) into requests (R) that can be executed by said electronic / computer system (3), and a control module (333) designed to control the execution of said requests (R) by said electronic / computer system (3).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of radiation emitting products or sources.

[0002] More particularly, it relates to calibrator devices designed to measure the radioactivity of radioactive elements, in particular, but not exclusively, of the type implemented in the field of nuclear medicine for preparing injectable radioactive solutions required for scintigraphy examinations or for preparing radioactive products used in metabolic radiotherapy in the treatment of certain cancers. [Background technology]

[0003] Devices called "calibrators" or "radionuclide calibrators" or "dose calibrators" are used to measure the radioactivity of radiation sources, in particular gamma rays (in the energy range from tens of KeV to several MeV) or beta rays with energies above 1.5 KeV.

[0004] One of the main applications of this type of measuring device is the calibration of the dose of radioactive drugs injected into patients in nuclear medicine, but they can also be used to measure other radioisotopes, especially in industrial testing laboratories and research centers.

[0005] The calibrator consists of a well-type gas ionization chamber into which the isotope to be measured is introduced.

[0006] The ionization chamber delivers a current proportional to the activity of the isotope being tested; it is connected to an electronic / computer control and processing unit, which converts this current into a voltage, processes the signal and provides a measure of the isotope activity measurement (in curies or becquerels).

[0007] To ensure this operation, the calibrator instrument contains various electronic devices which are controllable by an operator, for example through a touch button and menu-equipped control panel on a computer console.

[0008] In particular, since the measurement of radioactivity depends on the energy spectrum of the radiation emitted by the radionuclide, currently available commercially available calibrators suggest that the isotope to be measured is manually selected from a pre-recorded or pre-programmed list in order to assign to the processing electronics the appropriate calibration efficiency corresponding to the radioisotope present, thereby obtaining the appropriate radioactivity measurement value.

[0009] Currently, such manual controls are error prone and not ergonomic.

[0010] Interacting with a control panel actually requires the operator to alternate his or her gaze between different areas, particularly the handling area and the control area. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] There is therefore a need for a technical solution that simplifies the control of the electronics contained in the calibrator device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To remedy the above-mentioned shortcomings of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a calibrator device designed to measure the radioactivity of radioactive elements.

[0013] The calibrator device according to the invention comprises: - an ionization chamber for receiving said radioactive element; - an electronic / computer system for controlling the operation of said calibrator device; at least one output peripheral, advantageously a display device, which may be completed by a printer, Including, The electronic / computer system: - processing means for converting the signals collected in the ionization chamber into values ​​of the radioactivity of the radioactive elements; - control means for control of said electronic / computer system by an operator; Includes.

[0014] The control means includes a voice control means, which: - at least one microphone capable of capturing voice commands (V) issued by said operator; - a recognition module designed to convert said voice command (V) into a request (R) that can be executed by said electronic / computer system; - a control module designed to control the execution of said request (R) by said electronic / computer system; Includes.

[0015] The voice control means therefore allows an operator to control the electronic / computer system via voice commands.

[0016] Such voice control means advantageously constitute a man-machine interface, the interaction of which is carried out through speech, also called a "voice interface".

[0017] In this manner, an operator can execute a handling protocol and interact with the electronic device while maintaining an eye on the handling area.

[0018] The operator therefore enjoys ease and speed of execution and can therefore concentrate on the handling operation.

[0019] Other non-limiting advantageous characteristics of the product according to the invention, realized individually or in any technically possible combination, are: - a recognition module is designed to transform said voice command (V) into a sequence of words, namely an activation word (M1), an action word (M2) and possibly at least one setting word (M3); - the electronic / computer system comprises a casing in which at least a part of the electronic / computer system is integrated, the at least one microphone being attached to the casing or being independent of the casing: the voice control means include a confirmation module designed to reproduce a request (R) from said recognition module via said at least one output peripheral device: The control means also include manual control means for redundant control of said electronic / computer system by said operator.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a method of operating the calibrator device according to the invention.

[0021] This operation method involves the following steps: - capturing voice commands (V) issued by the operator, performed by said at least one microphone; - a step, executed by said recognition module, of converting said voice command (V) into a request (R) executable by said electronic / computer system; - a step of controlling the execution of said request (R) by said electronic / computer system, executed by said control module; Includes.

[0022] The present invention also relates to nuclear medicine equipment, eg, for preparing and / or handling low, medium and high energy radiopharmaceutical compositions.

[0023] Equipment includes: a calibrator device according to the invention, - Radiation protection structure to protect the operator from ionizing radiation; Includes.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the radiation protection structure comprises a radiation protection screen.

[0025] In this case, the radiation protection screen advantageously comprises a shield made of radiation protection material, said shield being rotatable for tilt adjustment around a horizontal axis of rotation, preferably associated with a rotary indexing means.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the radiation protective structure comprises a radiation protective enclosure suitable for handling of radioactive elements by an operator.

[0027] Radiation protection enclosures are: - a radiation protective wall defining an enclosed volume for containing said radioactive element; - a transparent radiation protection wall for visual access to said enclosed volume; - at least one opening and / or remote handling interface with a glove for handling operations within said enclosed volume; Includes.

[0028] Radiation protection enclosures also: - at least one electronic device controllable by said operator; - control means for control of said at least one electronic device by said operator; Includes.

[0029] The at least one electronic device includes at least the calibrator device according to the present invention.

[0030] Other non-limiting advantageous features of this embodiment of the invention, realized individually or in any technically possible combination, are: - the electronic / computer system of the calibrator device is part of the control means of the radiation protection enclosure or is separate from the control means of the radiation protection enclosure; - the control means of the radiation protection enclosure form the audio control means of the calibrator device or comprise audio control means which are separate with respect to the audio control means of the calibrator device; - the radiation-protected wall includes two radiation-protected side walls each including a front end, the front edge of at least one of the radiation-protected side walls comprising the at least one microphone; - said radiation-protected enclosure comprises, in addition to said calibrator device, at least one electronic device selected from at least one of the following electronic devices: at least one computer including data storage means for storing a database, operating means coupled to at least one shielded generator compartment, locking means associated with at least one door of at least one airlock attached to one of said radiation-protected walls, means for operating a calibrator spoon, lighting means, disinfection means, a remote handling interface.

[0031] Of course, the different features, alternatives and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations, unless they are mutually contradictory or exclusive.

[0032] Furthermore, various other features of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic representation of a calibrator device with voice control means; [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates, as a block diagram, a voice recognition algorithm implemented in conjunction with a calibrator device according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a calibrator device according to the invention, advantageously in the form of a shield for handling radiopharmaceuticals; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram of the calibrator device according to FIG. 3 from another perspective. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a radiation protection enclosure including a calibrator device according to the present invention; [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the radiation protection enclosure according to FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] It should be noted that in these figures, structural and / or functional elements that are common to different alternatives may have the same reference numbers.

[0035] Calibrator Device The calibrator device 1, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, is designed to measure the radioactivity of radioactive elements.

[0036] Such a calibrator device 1 is particularly suitable for the field of nuclear medicine, in particular for the preparation of low, medium and high energy radiopharmaceutical compositions.

[0037] The calibrator device 1 according to the invention comprises: - an ionization chamber 2 for receiving said radioactive element; - an electronic / computer system 3 for controlling the operation of said calibrator device 1; at least one output peripheral 4, possibly consisting of a printer, advantageously a display device, Includes.

[0038] The ionization chamber 2 for receiving the radioactive element, advantageously a well-type ionization chamber (per se conventional), possibly includes means 21 for manipulating a calibrator spoon (not shown).

[0039] Electronic / Computer System 3: - processing means 31 for converting the signals collected in the ionization chamber 2 into values ​​of the radioactivity of said radioactive elements; - control means 32 for control of the electronic / computer system 3 by an operator; Includes.

[0040] The electronic / computer system 3 therefore forms an electronic / computer unit which ensures, on the one hand, the processing of the signals collected in the ionization chamber 2 to provide an indication of the radioactivity of the radioactive element, advantageously via treatment means 31, and, on the other hand, the operation of this calibrator device 1, advantageously via control means 32.

[0041] To that end, the electronic / computer system 3 advantageously: a processing unit, also called a "computing unit" or "processor"; - data storage means for storing a database and at least one computer program; Includes.

[0042] The processing means 31 advantageously: - an electrometer for measuring the intensity of the ionization current; - Radiation calculation electronic device; Includes.

[0043] Furthermore, the control means 32 allow control of the calibrator device 1 by an operator at different steps of the handling process.

[0044] The control of this calibrator device 1 is, for example: - Entering data, and / or - Setting / adjusting operating parameters, and / or - operating the actuator; It may consist of:

[0045] According to the invention, in order to substantially improve the operating conditions for the operator all along this handling process, the control means 32 now comprises voice control means 33 enabling the operator to control the calibrator device 1 via voice commands.

[0046] Such voice control means 33 advantageously constitute a man-machine interface for the calibrator device 1, the interaction of which is carried out through voice, also called "voice interface".

[0047] In this way, the operator can therefore execute handling protocols and interact with the calibrator device 1 via voice.

[0048] Here, the audio control means 33: at least one microphone 331 capable of capturing voice commands V issued by said operator; - a recognition module 332 designed to convert said voice command into a request R executable by said electronic / computer system 3; a control module 333 designed to control the execution of said request R by said electronic / computer system 3; Includes.

[0049] The at least one microphone 331 advantageously comprises: a fixed microphone carried by the calibrator device 1, or - Portable microphones (e.g. in the form of earphones, pendant microphones, etc.) for example worn by the operator during handling operations It consists of:

[0050] The portable microphone may also be attached to a support.

[0051] Said at least one microphone 331 is advantageously connected to the control means 32 forming an input peripheral. The recognition module 332 and the control module 333 are integrated in the control means 32.

[0052] As will be described below with respect to FIG. 2, the recognition module 332, also referred to as an “automatic speech recognition module,” is capable of analyzing the human voice captured by the at least one microphone 331 and describing it as computer-usable text (or commands or requests).

[0053] This recognition module 332 is advantageously chosen from a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to convert a voice command V into a request R to be executed by said calibrator device 1 .

[0054] The voice commands V are also called “voice controls” and thus correspond to intended operations within the calibrator device 1 .

[0055] In this application, the recognition module 332 is designed to convert a voice command V that includes the following sequence of words: - Activation word M1, - Action word M2, and possibly - At least one setting word M3.

[0056] In the present application, said voice command V therefore advantageously comprises a syntax made up of the following sequence of words: - an activation word M1, also known as a "wake-up word" or "hot word", for activating the process of converting the voice command V by the voice recognition module 332, and then - an action word M2 defining the operation envisaged by said calibrator device 1, and possibly - at least one parameter word M3 (ie zero, one or more parameter words M3) defining at least one parameter / variable that specifies the intended operation.

[0057] Alternatively or as a complement to the activation word M1, the voice recognition module 332 can be activated by a control element, for example a pedal.

[0058] To recognize a speech command V, the recognition module 332 may possibly associate the words of the speech command V with semantic labels (or “tags”) that include: a first tag T1 which is assigned to an activation word M1, - a second tag T2 that is assigned to the action word M2, and possibly - at least one third tag T3 in the form of a variable which is assigned to the parameter word(s) M3.

[0059] Conversion of the voice command V by the voice recognition module 332 can therefore generate a request R which can be executed by the control module 333 .

[0060] The control module 333 is advantageously chosen from a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to control the execution of the request R by the electronic / computer system 3 .

[0061] To that end, the control module 333 may consist of or cooperate with a programmable logic controller.

[0062] In general, the recognition module 332 and the control module 333 may be stored on and executed on the electronic / computer system 3 .

[0063] Alternatively, the recognition module 332 and the control module 333 can be stored on and executed on a remote computer, for example in the form of a server.

[0064] Without being limiting, the voice command V is advantageously selected from a list of predefined voice commands recorded in a database, and each voice command V in this database is advantageously associated with a request R (also called an "action") to be executed by the calibrator device 1.

[0065] For example, and without any limitation, the action word M2 / parameter word M3 combination can be selected from the following: - "Select" / "Container name" to select the container on the calibrator device 1 (e.g. vial, syringe, capsule) - "Select" / "Isotope name" to select the isotope on the calibrator device 1 (e.g. F18, Fluorine; Tec, Technitium; Ga67, Gallium); - "Patient" / "Variable" to select the patient on the calibrator device 1 - "Storage solution" / "Variable" for selecting the storage solution on the calibrator device 1 - "Validate" to check the validity of the solution and patient selection on the calibrator device 1; "Up" or "Down" / "Spoon" for moving the calibrator spoon up or down using the operating means 21.

[0066] The voice control means 33 may also enable controlling said at least one output peripheral 4 (eg screen, printer) in a user-friendly and ergonomic way.

[0067] The voice control means 33 may also include a confirmation module 334 (also called “feedback”) designed to reproduce the request R from the recognition module 332 via said at least one output peripheral 4 .

[0068] This recognition module 334 is advantageously chosen among computer programs containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to reproduce the requests from said recognition module 332 via said output peripherals.

[0069] The control means 32 may also include manual control means 34 (eg, a keyboard and / or touch screen) for redundant control of the electronic / computer system 3 by an operator.

[0070] Such manual control means 34 are useful for controlling parts that are controllable (redundancy) or not controllable by the voice control means 33 for example.

[0071] More generally, the electronic / computer system 3 may include a casing 36 in which at least a part of said electronic / computer system 3 (eg processing means 31 and control means 32) is integrated.

[0072] Said at least one microphone 331 is here arranged separately / with respect to the casing 36. Alternatively, not shown, said at least one microphone 331 is attached to this casing 36.

[0073] As will be developed below with respect to the drawings, the calibrator device 1 associated with the voice control means 33 can advantageously constitute an autonomous, voice-controlled calibrator device 1: this calibrator device 1 can also be part of a nuclear medicine device (advantageously together with a radiation-protection enclosure).

[0074] How to operate The present invention also relates to a method of operating the calibrator device 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIG.

[0075] The operation method is as follows: - capturing voice commands V issued by an operator, executable by said at least one microphone 331; - a step of converting said voice command V into a request R executable by said electronic / computer system 3, executed by said recognition module 332; - a step of controlling the execution of said request R by said electronic / computer system 3, executed by said control module 333; Includes.

[0076] In practice, such a calibrator device 1 is simple and intuitive to use to easily process radioactivity measurements, perform control tests and store important data on a file or label.

[0077] nuclear medicine equipment Such a calibrator device 1 (together with its audio control means 33) can be implemented for different applications which are known per se in the art.

[0078] The invention therefore also relates to a nuclear medicine instrument 10 comprising a calibrator device 1 according to the invention, for example for preparing and / or handling low, medium and high energy radiopharmaceutical compositions.

[0079] Such an apparatus 10 is shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and comprises: a calibrator device 1 according to the invention as described above with reference to FIG. 1, - a radiation protection structure 11 for protecting the operator from ionizing radiation; Includes.

[0080] According to an embodiment, very diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1, the radiation protection structure 11 comprises a radiation protection screen 12 .

[0081] Such a radiation protection screen 11 is advantageously selected from among the radiation protection screens adapted to the radiopharmaceutical composition to be handled.

[0082] Such a radiation protection screen 12 is intended to be sandwiched between the ionization chamber 2 and the operator.

[0083] This radiation protection screen 12 is advantageously made of a radiation-attenuating material, for example lead, a plastic material filled with radiation-protective metallic particles, or glass filled with radiation-protective metallic particles.

[0084] For example, this embodiment is also shown in FIGS.

[0085] This embodiment allows for the handling, preparation, fractionation and measurement of radiopharmaceuticals while ensuring the biological safety of the operator.

[0086] In these figures 3 and 4, the radiation protection screen 12 comprises a shield 121 made of a radiation protection material (eg lead glass).

[0087] This shield 121 is advantageously rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation, preferably associated with a rotary indexing means 122 (eg a cylinder), for tilt adjustment.

[0088] The device 10 here comprises a microphone 331 for interaction between the operator and the voice control means 33 .

[0089] The apparatus 10 here also comprises at least one output peripheral 186, e.g. in the form of a display device (screen) or even printing means (not shown), e.g. for printing an adhesive label, linked to a computer (not shown).

[0090] The voice control means 33 therefore enables the operator to execute handling protocols and interact with the machine 10 through voice.

[0091] For example, and without any limitation, the action word M2 / parameter word M3 combination can be selected from the following: - "Select" / "Container name" to select the container on the computer (e.g. vial, syringe, capsule) - "Select" / "Isotope Name" to select the isotope on the computer (e.g., F18, Fluorine; Tec, Technitium; Ga67, Gallium); - "Patient" / "Variable" for computerized patient selection - "Storage solution" / "Variable" for computerized selection of storage solution - "Validate" to verify the validity of the solution and patient selection by computer; - "Up" or "Down" / "Spoon" to move the calibrator spoon up or down using the operating means.

[0092] According to another embodiment, shown diagrammatically in Figures 5 and 6, the radiation protection structure 11 comprises a radiation protection enclosure 13 suitable for handling of radioactive elements by an operator.

[0093] Such a radiation protective enclosure 13 is suitable for the field of nuclear medicine, in particular for the preparation of low, medium and high energy radiopharmaceutical compositions.

[0094] Such an enclosure allows, for example, the elution of technetium (Tc99m) generators, the regeneration of radiopharmaceutical kits, as well as the preparation of patient-syringes for conventional scintigraphy examinations.

[0095] This radiation protective enclosure 13 is of the type currently known as a "glove box," "shielded enclosure," "shielded cell," or "hot cell."

[0096] For that purpose, the radiation-protective enclosure 13 comprises a radiation-protective wall 14 (which advantageously comprises a radiation-attenuating material, such as lead, a plastic material filled with radiation-protective metal particles or glass filled with radiation-protective metal particles), which defines an enclosed volume 15 for containing the radioactive element.

[0097] The radiation protection wall 14 in particular: - radiation-protected side walls 141; a radiation-protected front wall 142 aligned laterally with the radiation-protected side walls 141 and in front of the operator who sits there during handling operations; Includes.

[0098] The radiation protection wall 14 is: - a transparent radiation protection wall 16 for visual access to the enclosed volume 15; at least one opening 17, here two, each equipped with a globe 17a for handling operations within the enclosed volume 15, Includes.

[0099] The openings 17 are now arranged in the radiation-protected front wall 142, each equipped with a glove 17a (projecting into the enclosed volume 3) into which a hand can be inserted for various handling operations.

[0100] Each globe 17 a is tightly sealed in its associated opening 17 .

[0101] As an alternative or complement to the gloves 17a, the radiation protection enclosure 13 may be equipped with a remote handling interface (or device), also referred to as a "remote handler" (e.g., a remote handling arm), to avoid placing the hands inside the radiation protection enclosure 13 (not shown).

[0102] At least one of the radiation protection walls 14, in this application each of the two radiation protection walls 141, may also be equipped with an airlock 141a (also called a "transfer box").

[0103] Such an airlock 141 a can be used to transport accessories and consumables relative to the enclosed volume 15 .

[0104] For operator protection, each airlock 141a advantageously includes an inner door 141b and an outer door 141c.

[0105] Preferably, the enclosed volume 15 is evacuated by a vacuum system 15a.

[0106] To ensure its operation, the radiation protection enclosure 13 also: at least one electronic device 18 (also called "peripheral device" or "operating unit") that can be controlled by an operator; - control means 19 for the control of said at least one electronic device 18 by an operator; Also includes.

[0107] The term “electronic equipment 18 ” advantageously includes electronic equipment that intervenes during the operation of the radiation protection enclosure 13 and is conventionally known per se.

[0108] Here, said at least one electronic device 18 comprises at least the calibrator device 1 according to the invention (described above with reference to FIG. 1).

[0109] The electronic / computer system 3 of the calibrator device 1 now constitutes the control means 19 of the radiation protection enclosure 13 .

[0110] Alternatively, not shown, the electronic / computer system 3 of the calibrator device 1 is separate from the control means 19 of the radiation-protected enclosure 13 .

[0111] Furthermore, the control means 19 of the radiation protection enclosure 13 includes audio control means.

[0112] These audio control means are here formed by the audio control means 33 of the calibrator device 1. Alternatively, not shown, the control means 19 of the radiation protection enclosure 13 comprises audio control means separate from the audio control means 33 of the calibrator device 1.

[0113] Such voice control means 33 therefore allows an operator to execute handling protocols and interact with said at least one electronic device 18 whilst keeping his hands in the gloves (or resting on the remote handler).

[0114] Generally, the radiation shielding wall 14 includes two radiation shielding side walls 141 , each including a leading edge 1411 .

[0115] At least one front edge 1411 of the radiation-protected side wall 141 comprises said at least one microphone 331 .

[0116] Alternatively, the at least one microphone 331 may be located at any other position on the radiation protective enclosure 13, or even be a portable microphone.

[0117] In addition to the calibrator device 1, the radiation-protected enclosure 13 advantageously includes at least one electronic device 18 selected from at least one of the following electronic devices: - at least one computer 181 including data storage means for storing a database, - operating means 182 coupled to at least one shielded generator compartment 182a; - locking means 183 associated with at least one door 141b, 141c of at least one airlock 141a attached to one of said radiation protection walls 14, - means 21 for manipulating a calibrator spoon (not shown), - lighting means 184 for illuminating the enclosed volume 15, e.g. LED lamps, - disinfection means 185 for disinfection of the enclosed volume 15, e.g. UV lamps, at least one output peripheral 186, for example in the form of a display device (screen) or even printing means (not shown), for example for printing an adhesive label, - Remote handling equipment, also called "remote handler" (e.g. remote handling arm).

[0118] Said at least one computer 181 is known per se in the art and advantageously comprises: - a processing unit, also called a "computing unit" or "processor"; - data storage means for storing a database and at least one computer program; Includes.

[0119] Said at least one computer 181 is advantageously connected to at least one other electronic device 18 of the radiation protection enclosure 13, or even to a computer network.

[0120] The operating means 182, 21 may for example include a lift to move within the enclosed volume 15 from a low position to a high position outside the enclosed volume 15.

[0121] The operating means 182 (coupled to at least one shielded generator compartment 182a) may include two independent lifts for operating the two shielded generator compartments 182a.

[0122] The locking means 183 may for example consist of an electric strike.

[0123] In practice, the at least one electronic device 18 is therefore intended to be under the control of an operator at different steps of the handling process.

[0124] The control of the at least one electronic device 18 may, for example, be: - Entering data (e.g. on a computer 181), and / or - setting / adjusting the operating parameters of e.g. the lighting means 184 and / or the calibrator device 1, and / or - operating an actuator (e.g. operating means 182, 21); It may consist of.

[0125] For that purpose, as previously described with reference to FIG. 1, the audio control means 33 of the radiation protection enclosure 13: at least one microphone 331 capable of capturing voice commands V issued by an operator for controlling at least one electronic device 18 (including the calibrator device 1); - a recognition module 332 designed to convert said voice command V into a request R executable by at least one electronic device 18; - a control module 333 designed to control the execution of a request R by said at least one electronic device 18; Includes.

[0126] The recognition module 332 is advantageously chosen among computer programs comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to convert a voice command V into a request R to be executed by said at least one electronic device 18.

[0127] Without being limited thereto, the voice command V is advantageously selected from a list of predefined voice commands recorded in a database, and each voice command V in this database is advantageously associated with a request R (also called an "action") to be executed by said at least one electronic device 18.

[0128] For example, and without any limitation, the action word M2 / parameter word M3 combination, in addition to the command for the calibrator device 1, can be selected from the following: - "Select" / "Container Name" to select the container on the computer 181 (e.g., vial, syringe, capsule) - "Select" / "Isotope Name" to select an isotope on the computer 181 (e.g., F18, Fluorine; Tec, Technitium; Ga67, Gallium); - "Patient" / "Variable" to select patient via computer 181 - "Preservation solution" / "Variable" for selecting the preservation solution via computer 181 - "Validate" to check the validity of the solution and patient selection via the computer 181; "Up" or "Down" / "Generator" for controlling the operating means 182 up or down, - "Open" or "Close" / "Inner Door" or "Outer Door" (possibly "Left" or "Right") to open or close the inner or outer door of the airlock 141a using the locking means 183 - "up" or "down" / "spoon" to move the calibrator spoon up or down using the operating means 21, "Turn" or "Brighten" or "Dim" or "Off" / "Light" to respectively turn on, brighten, dim, or turn off the light using the lighting means 184.

[0129] Furthermore, the control means 19 may also include manual control means 34, for example in the form of a control panel or at least one pedal, for control of said at least one electronic device 18 by said operator.

[0130] The voice control means therefore enables an operator to control said at least one electronic device 18 via voice commands.

[0131] In this manner, an operator can therefore execute handling protocols and interact with said at least one electronic device 18 while keeping his or her hands in the gloves (or resting on the remote handler).

[0132] The operator therefore enjoys ease and speed of execution and can therefore concentrate on the handling operations.

Claims

1. an ionization chamber (2) for receiving a radioactive element, an electronic / computer system (3) that controls the operation of the calibrator device (1); at least one output peripheral (4); A calibrator device (1) designed to measure the radioactivity of said radioactive element, comprising: The electronic / computer system (3): - processing means (31) for converting the signals collected in said ionization chamber (2) into values ​​of the radioactivity of said radioactive elements; - control means (32) for the control of the operation of the calibrator device (1) by the electronic / computer system (3) by an operator; Including, a control means (32) for said control of said operation of said calibrator device (1), at least one microphone (331) capable of capturing voice commands (V) issued by said operator; a recognition module (332) designed to convert said voice command (V) into a request (R) that can be executed by said electronic / computer system (3); a control module (333) designed to control said execution of said request (R) by said electronic / computer system (3); A calibrator device (1) comprising a voice control means (33) including:

2. The recognition module (332) recognizes a sequence of words: - activation word (M1), - Action words (M2), and possibly - at least one setting word (M3) 2. Calibrator device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is designed to convert said voice commands (V) including:

3. said electronic / computer system (3) including a casing (36) in which at least a portion of said electronic / computer system (3) is integrated; The at least one microphone (331) is attached to the casing (36) or is separate from the casing (36).

3. Calibrator device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. Calibrator device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the voice control means (33) comprise a verification module (334) designed to reproduce the request (R) from the recognition module (332) via the at least one output peripheral device (4).

5. Calibrator device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the control means (32) also comprise manual control means (34) for redundant control of the electronic / computer (3) by the operator.

6. a step of capturing voice commands (V) issued by said operator, carried out by said at least one microphone (331); a step, executed by said recognition module (332), of converting said voice command (V) into a request (R) executable by said electronic / computer system (3); a step of controlling said execution of said request (R) by said electronic / computer system (3), executed by said control module (333); A method for operating a calibrator device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

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