EP0859370B1 - Conteneur pour isotopes radioactifs - Google Patents

Conteneur pour isotopes radioactifs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0859370B1
EP0859370B1 EP98301024A EP98301024A EP0859370B1 EP 0859370 B1 EP0859370 B1 EP 0859370B1 EP 98301024 A EP98301024 A EP 98301024A EP 98301024 A EP98301024 A EP 98301024A EP 0859370 B1 EP0859370 B1 EP 0859370B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
passage
isotope
tube
shell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98301024A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0859370A1 (fr
Inventor
Malcolm Laing Wass
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0859370A1 publication Critical patent/EP0859370A1/fr
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/015—Transportable or portable shielded containers for storing radioactive sources, e.g. source carriers for irradiation units; Radioisotope containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/02—Transportable or portable shielded containers with provision for restricted exposure of a radiation source within the container

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a container for radio-active isotopes.
  • Such containers are used to provide protection to operating personnel and the environment when the isotopes are used as a radiation source in radiography, particularly mobile radiography for industrial purposes.
  • Radio-active isotopes for radiography are, in general, held in one of two generic types of container.
  • One type requires the isotope to be moved forward in the container into a delivery tube by means of a wind-out mechanism.
  • the isotope is normally wound out until it reaches the end cap on the delivery tube at a safe distance from the operator at the rear of the container.
  • This type of container is flexible in use because the isotope can be used in a variety of ways to carry out exposures using a variety of techniques, for example inside a pipe or vessel (panoramic technique), or from outside a pipe to make a single radiograph in a contact or a stand off situation.
  • a variety of techniques for example inside a pipe or vessel (panoramic technique), or from outside a pipe to make a single radiograph in a contact or a stand off situation.
  • a major disadvantage with this type of container is that the isotope must be moved out of its container for use. As soon as the operator winds the isotope out of the container, and this can be for as much as thirty metres, the isotope is no longer shielded and the surrounding area is irradiated for the time that the isotope is travelling in the delivery tube and back and, if the end of the delivery tube is not shielded, for the time that the isotope is at the end of the tube. Another problem is that the radioactive source leaves the container making the safety features of the container ineffective so that safety problems can arise if the isotope cannot be rewound into the container.
  • the other type of container commonly used holds the isotope in a rotating shield mechanism and is shielded until the shield is rotated to an aperture.
  • the main advantage of this second type of container is that the radiation from the isotope is totally contained apart from the radiation beam at the aperture. This makes it possible to be in very close proximity to the container even when the isotope is rotated to the exposure position, except of course in the beam path.
  • US 3,655,983 discloses apparatus for storing and exposing a radioactive source, the apparatus comprising a shielding body having a panoramic aperture, the isotope being movable from a first position in which the isotope is shielded by the body to a second position in which the isotope is exposed at the aperture.
  • the present invention is a container for a radio-active isotope, comprising a shell for attenuating radiation from the isotope, a tube extending into the shell from a rear end, the tube being open at its rear end to allow the insertion of a support for the isotope, at least one opening in the side of the shell, and a lining defining a passage from the outside of the shell to the tube, characterised in that means are provided at the mouth of the passage for removably locating in the passage a fitting.
  • a container 10 for radio-active isotopes comprises an outer shell 12 of an inert metal, in this embodiment stainless steel, lined with a layer 14 of a radiation attenuating material, in this embodiment depleted uranium.
  • the depleted uranium attenuates the radiation from within the container and the stainless steel protects the user from the depleted uranium and allows the container to be handled. Tungsten is equally satisfactory as the radiation attenuating material.
  • the container 10 is generally circular in transverse cross section and extends from a rear end 16 to a front end 18, the ends 16 and 18 being closed by respective end shields 20 and 22.
  • the front end shield 22 has a central hole in which is located and secured a boss 26 which in turn has a central tapped hole in which is located a threaded adjuster 28, in this embodiment a socket or grub screw.
  • the boss 26 is in this embodiment secured by a spring clip, but other means, such as screw threads may be used to secure the boss in position.
  • a guide tube 30 of an inert metal such as stainless steel or aluminium alloy extends the length of the container between the boss 26 and the rear end shield 20 where it is open to the exterior of the container.
  • a drive linkage 32 which mounts a radio-active isotope 34.
  • the drive linkage 32 is made of a shielding material that attenuates radiation and shields the isotope in the direction of the guide tube.
  • Radio-active isotopes in common use as the radiation source in radiography are iridium 192, cobalt 60, ytterbium 169 and selenium 75.
  • a control plate 40 is bolted to the rear end shield 20 and has a central aperture through which passes the drive linkage 32.
  • Mounted on, or otherwise associated with, the control plate 40 are the controls for the drive linkage 32. These controls include means for moving the drive linkage 32 into and, as will be explained later, through the guide tube 30, means for securing the linkage 32 in a position in which the isotope is in a safe position 34a and is completely shielded, and an indicator to show when the isotope is in the safe position.
  • the linkage and controls are conventional and will not be described further.
  • any desired security devices such as a lock to prevent unauthorised use or removal of the container, and the security devices, linkage and controls are all in accordance with BS 5650 of 1978 and ISO 3999 of 1977.
  • An opening 42 radially spaced from the working position of the isotope 34, is provided in the outer shell 12 and its lining 40. From the opening 42 a passage 44 lined with stainless steel extends inwardly to the surface of the guide tube 30.
  • the mouth of the passage 44 is a circular collar portion 46 which is provided with retaining means and from which a frusto-conical portion 48 tapers inwardly.
  • the shape of the passage 44 is not critical and any convenient cross-section, for example circular, may be used.
  • a fitting 50 shown in Fig.2, which may be either a collimator defining a shape of beam or a blank member made of a radiation attenuating or shielding material, preferably tungsten alloy. In this way any one of a number of different beam shapes may be provided as desired.
  • the shape of the fitting 50 complements that of the passage 44.
  • the fitting 50 is secured by the retaining means which may be simple threaded sections on the collar portion 52 and the corresponding collar portion 52 on the fitting 50.
  • the desired collimator is inserted and secured in the passage 44, and the drive linkage 32 is driven to advance the isotope 34 from its safe position 34a until the forward end of the drive linkage engages the adjuster 28 and the isotope is in its working position where a radiation beam of the desired shape issues from the collimator.
  • the adjuster 28 can be screwed in and out to ensure that the isotope 34 is in its optimum working position.
  • a collimator 60 as shown in Fig.3 is substituted for the boss 26 of Fig.1.
  • the collimator 60 consists of a first flange 62 having on its rear face a boss which can be fitted into, and secured in, the aperture in the front end plate 22 and which has a central hole aligned with the guide tube 30.
  • a threaded tube 66 onto which is screwed a flange assembly comprising a second flange 68, a forwardly projecting tubular extension 70 which is open to the central hole in the flange 62 and thence to the guide tube 30 and is closed at its forward end apart from a central bore in which is located an adjuster 28.
  • the adjuster 28 is mounted in a tapped axial hole in an end cap 72 which is in turn mounted on the free end of the tubular extension 70.
  • the flange assembly is screwed in or out on the threaded tube 66 to achieve the desired spacing of the flanges 62 and 68 and thus the desired shape of the radiation beam.
  • the drive linkage 32 is then advanced into the passage through the collimator 60 defined by the tube 66 until the free end of the linkage 32 again engages the adjuster 28. Any fine adjustment is then made by screwing the adjuster 28 in or put to locate the isotope 34 in its optimum working position.
  • the cap 72 is integral with the second flange 68 such that moving the flange either forwardly or backwardly also moves the isotope so that the isotope can be kept in its optimum position.
  • Fig.4 shows a tubular adaptor 70 comprising a tube with a retaining means at each end.
  • the adaptor 70 is fitted into the aperture in the front end plate 22 in place of the boss 26 while an extension tube is fitted onto the free forward end of the adaptor 70.
  • the retaining means may be threads or spring clips.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Un conteneur pour un isotope radioactif, comprenant une enveloppe (12) pour atténuer le rayonnement émis par l'isotope (34), un tube (30) s'étendant dans l'enveloppe à partir d'une extrémité arrière, le tube étant ouvert à son extrémité arrière (16) pour permettre l'introduction d'un support (32) pour l'isotope, au moins une ouverture (42) dans le côté de l'enveloppe (12) et un revêtement définissant un passage (44) de l'extérieur de l'enveloppe au tube, caractérisé en ce que des moyens sont prévus à l'entrée du passage (44) pour positionner de façon amovible une pièce (50) dans le passage.
  2. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'entrée du passage (44) est dotée de moyens pour retenir la pièce.
  3. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'une pièce (50) est positionnée dans le passage (44).
  4. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la pièce (50) est soit un collimateur définissnt un passage pour un faisceau de rayonnement soit un membre de protection.
  5. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans toute revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que le tube (30) s'étend jusqu'à un bouclier d'extrémité (22) à l'extrémité avant de l'enveloppe, le bouclier d'extrémité ayant un orifice central.
  6. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'un bossage (26) est fixé dans l'orifice central et en ce qu'un organe de réglage (28) est monté dans le bossage et s'étend jusqu'à l'intérieur du conteneur.
  7. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'un collimateur panoramique (60) est monté dans l'orifice central, le collimateur panoramique comprenant une paire de brides (62, 68) définissant la forme d'un faisceau de rayonnement, un passage passant à travers le collimateur, et un organe de réglage (28) à l'extrémité du passage, faisant saillie dans le passage et pouvant être actionné de l'extérieur du collimateur.
  8. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la distance entre les brides (62, 68) est réglable.
  9. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce qu'un adaptateur tubulaire (70) est monté dans l'orifice central, l'adaptateur ayant une extrémité libre à laquelle un tube-allonge peut être fixé pour faire sortir l'isotope de l'enveloppe.
  10. Un conteneur comme revendiqué dans toute revendication précédente, caractérisé par une tringlerie de commande (32) pour monter un isotope et des moyens à l'extrémité arrière du conteneur pour faire entrer la tringlerie de commande dans le tube et la faire passer à travers ce dernier.
EP98301024A 1997-02-13 1998-02-12 Conteneur pour isotopes radioactifs Expired - Lifetime EP0859370B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9702905.2A GB9702905D0 (en) 1997-02-13 1997-02-13 Self shielding controlled radiation radioactive isotope container
GB9702905 1997-02-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0859370A1 EP0859370A1 (fr) 1998-08-19
EP0859370B1 true EP0859370B1 (fr) 2002-05-22

Family

ID=10807527

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98301024A Expired - Lifetime EP0859370B1 (fr) 1997-02-13 1998-02-12 Conteneur pour isotopes radioactifs

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0859370B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE218005T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69805454T2 (fr)
GB (1) GB9702905D0 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110309272A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2011-12-22 Christopher John Cole Radiographic projector

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4176698A1 (fr) * 2020-07-06 2023-05-10 TAE Technologies, Inc. Systèmes, dispositifs et procédés d'échange de cible de faisceau et de stockage d'objet volatil

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1250891A (fr) * 1968-01-15 1971-10-20
US3655983A (en) * 1969-03-24 1972-04-11 Babcock & Wilcox Co Apparatus for storing and exposing a radioactive source
GB1330301A (en) * 1970-09-28 1973-09-19 Young S G Isotope container
ZA821625B (en) * 1981-05-04 1983-01-26 Kempkes Helmut Ernst Container
US4513204A (en) * 1982-08-27 1985-04-23 Siemens Gammasonics, Inc. Housing for a radioactive source
FR2622730B1 (fr) * 1987-10-29 1990-01-12 Commissariat Energie Atomique Conteneur de source radioactive de faible activite

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110309272A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2011-12-22 Christopher John Cole Radiographic projector
US8998488B2 (en) * 2009-02-13 2015-04-07 Spec Intellectual Property, Llc Radiographic projector
US9717138B2 (en) 2009-02-13 2017-07-25 Spec Intellectual Property, Llc Radiographic projector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0859370A1 (fr) 1998-08-19
DE69805454D1 (de) 2002-06-27
ATE218005T1 (de) 2002-06-15
GB9702905D0 (en) 1997-04-02
DE69805454T2 (de) 2003-02-13

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