Radiation Measuring System Using Detector Ratio for Contamination Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional whole-body counters for radiation workers fail to accurately determine the location of internal radioactive contamination, leading to conservative and inaccurate radiation exposure dose estimates, which can result in excessive exposure risks.
Innovation Solution
A radiation measuring system with upper and lower detectors that calculates a measurement ratio to determine the contamination location, allowing for optimal measurement modes corresponding to specific body regions such as the thyroid gland, lung, whole body, or hypogastrium, thereby improving measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the whole-body measurement mode is used to calculate the highest measurement value assuming uniform distribution of radioactive materials, then the radiation measurement value is calculated conservatively (2.5 to 1.5 times higher than other measurement modes), but the radiation exposure dose is incorrectly estimated and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by switching between different measurement modes (whole-body, thyroid gland, lung, hypogastrium) based on the detected contamination location. Instead of always using the conservative whole-body mode, the system adapts the measurement geometry to match the specific body region where radioactive materials are deposited, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining reliability through the protective whole-body mode when location is unknown
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes measurement parameters (measurement mode, detector geometry, calculation algorithms) based on the detected contamination location. By detecting the location first and then adjusting the measurement parameters accordingly, the system avoids the excessive conservatism of the whole-body mode while ensuring accurate dose estimation for the specific contamination scenario
2Measurement precision
If the internal radioactive contamination whole-body counter is designed to apply four measurement geometries for thyroid gland, lung, whole body, and hypogastrium, then measurement precision for specific locations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first detecting the contamination location using the upper and lower detector ratio before performing the actual radiation measurement. This preliminary detection step allows the system to select the appropriate measurement mode in advance, simplifying the operational process despite having multiple measurement geometries available, as the system automatically configures the correct mode based on the detected location
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different measurement modes (thyroid gland, lung, whole-body, hypogastrium) based on the real-time detection results from the upper and lower detectors. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision for specific locations while managing device complexity through automated mode selection rather than requiring manual configuration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system accurately determines the internal radioactive contamination location and applies the appropriate measurement mode, reducing the risk of excessive radiation exposure and improving the accuracy of radiation measurement values.
Implementation Method 1
two upper and lower radiation detectors are installed in front of a measurement space in the whole-body counter in order to measure internal radioactive contamination of a radiation worker
Implementation Method 2
the upper and lower radiation detectors of the whole-body counter measure radiations emitted from the body of the worker contaminated with internal radiations
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation measuring system includes a whole-body counter having upper and lower radiation detectors that are located in front of a measurement space, which has an inlet passage and is located in a housing, and that detects respective internal radiations of a measurement target and first and second internal radiations of a body region corresponding to one of a thyroid gland, a lung, a whole body, or a hypogastrium, and a processor controlling determination of an internal radioactive contamination location of the measurement target, based on a ratio of the first and second internal radiations, applying the optimal measurement mode corresponding to the ratio of the first and second internal radiations, and detecting the first and second internal radiations of a body region corresponding to the internal radioactive contamination location.