| Previous: SCINTILLATION CAMERA | Next: SCREENING AUDIOMETER |
| Typical Number in Hospital: 5 | Cost Bands: | References: 3 |
A scintillation counter is the ionizing radiation detection system used in gamma cameras and isotope scanners, and in some pathology laboratory apparatus. It consists of a scintillator (usually a sodium iodide crystal), a photomultiplier (PM) tube, and supporting electronics. Scintillators glow when exposed to X-rays and small flashes occur in response to gamma rays. Thus an electric pulse can be generated by the photomultiplier tube for each gamma-ray interaction.
This system is employed in the gamma camera and rectilinear scanner, to produce a map of radionuclide distribution within the body. The scintillation count, or count rate, indicates the quantity of a radiopharmaceutical, and the intensity of the scintillation indicates the energy of the rays.
In the pathology laboratory a scintillation counter may be used to identify the concentration of radio-labelled chemicals. In some cases a liquid scintillator may be used.
Content and Design Copyright 2000 Dr. Malcolm C Brown. See Title Page for more details