System prints radioactive phantoms for both QA and optimisation of clinical procedures using a standard ink-jet printer loaded with Tc-99m
Southern Scientific, in collaboration with St George's Hospital, London, has produced Hot-Ink, a system that prints radioactive phantoms for both QA and optimisation of clinical procedures.
The system, based on an award-winning paper presented to a BNMS meeting detailing the work carried out at St George's, uses a standard ink-jet printer that is loaded with Tc-99m.
Ideal for weekly, monthly or single QC tests, the wide range of phantoms available is repeatable and the system offers a safe, clean and cost-effective alternative to using lead, water and perspex test objects, says Southern Scientific.
Radiation exposure is reduced and handling difficulties with heavy, water-filled test objects are eliminated.
The ink-jet cartridge is easily refilled and has its own protective lead holder that reduces finger doses to a minimum.
Standard resolution patterns are available in the library supplied with the driver software, included in the package that runs as a standard Windows application on a PC.
The PC can be supplied with the printer if required.
The system can also produce a range of clinical test images that can be used to validate or optimise clinical imaging procedures including Spect.
