Universal Intraoperative Radiation Detection Probe

A method for detecting said radionuclide source emitting energy above about 80 KeV, which comprises the steps of:

• (a) providing a radiation-detecting probe instrument having a forward working portion housing, a radiation detector and a rearward user directed portion, said probe instrument in communication with a control assembly for processing and outputting signals received from said radiation detector correlative to a located radionuclide source emitting energy above about 80 KeV, wherein said forward portion comprises an annular housing having a radiation transparent tip, said radiation detector disposed behind said radiation transparent tip, a K alpha fluorescing radiation emitting wafer disposed between said radiation transparent tip and said radiation detector, a radiation-resistant shield disposed between said annular housing and said radiation detector and said wafer;
• (b) placing said forward working portion adjacent to a suspected radionuclide source emitting energy above about 80 KeV;
• (c) said radiation detector detecting K alpha radiation emitting from said K alpha fluorescing radiation emitting wafer causing said wafer and emitting electrical signals in response to detected K alpha radiation;
• and
• (d) passing said emitted electrical signals to said control unit.