# US 2012/0074330 A1 · Device and Method for Determining Activity of Radiopharmaceutical Material > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0074330 A1 - Document ID: US20120074330A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/664,653 - Filed: 2009-12-14 - Published: 2012-03-29 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-05 - Assignees: Medrad, Inc. - Inventors: Chad E. Bouton; Arthur E. Uber, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120074330A1 ## CPC - G01T 7/02: Collecting means for receiving or storing samples to be investigated {and possibly directly transporting the samples to the measuring arrangement; particularly for investigating radioactive fluids (sampling, preparing specimens for investigation in general G01N1/00, G01N1/02; shielded cells or rooms structurally combined with manipulatin devices G21F; measuring of chromatographically separated samples G01N30/00 - G01N30/96)} - A61M 5/007: {for contrast media} - G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A detector system measures radioactive material. A fluid path receives at least one aliquot of radiopharmaceutical. The fluid path locates the aliquot within a positioner formed with a concave configuration. A detector is located at an axial distance from the concave surface and determines the level of radioactivity of the aliquot. Alternatively, the fluid path may be less concave and a variable attenuator may be placed between the fluid path and detector. The variable attenuator may have a concavity that is based on the concavity of the fluid path so that the detector's ability to read the radioactivity is optimized. A method for forming an aliquot of radiopharmaceutical in a concave fluid passage. Positioning a detector located a distance from the concave surface to optimize reading spectral energy of the aliquot and activity is determining activity regardless of the position of the aliquot in the passage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for measuring radioactive material, comprising: a fluid path for receiving at least one aliquot; an aliquot positioner formed with a concave surface and connected to the fluid path and capable of receiving the at least one aliquot therefrom; and a detector located at an axial distance from the aliquot positioner and operable to determine the level of radioactivity of the at least one aliquot disposed in the aliquot positioner. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the detector is proximal to a concave side of the aliquot positioner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the aliquot positioner includes a passage formed as a coiled, spiral or serpentine configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further including an output assembly connected to an output of the aliquot positioner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further including a liquid source of radiopharmaceutical in fluid communication with the fluid path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further including at least one optical element disposed between the aliquot positioner and the detector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the aliquot positioner has a surface based on a parabolic, spherical or dual cubic model. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the aliquot positioner includes a tubular conduit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the aliquot positioner includes a bag. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further including an injector connected to the fluid path. ### Claim 12 A system for measuring radioactive material, comprising: a fluid path for receiving at least one aliquot releasing radioactive energy; a selectable positioner directing the radioactive energy; and a detector located at a distance from the selectable positioner and operable to determine the level of radioactivity of the at least one aliquot disposed in the selectable positioner, wherein the selectable positioner includes at least one of a variable attenuator or a aliquot positioner having a concave configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein a curvature of the at least variable attenuator and a curvature of the aliquot positioner are varied to optimize radiation detection by the detector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the variable attenuator includes channels extending in a radial direction therethrough thereby forming a collimator array. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the channels are formed of varied diameters. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the varied diameters are smallest toward a center and larger at a periphery of the variable attenuator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the variable attenuator includes a first collimator and a second collimator. ### Claim 18 A method for measuring activity of an aliquot, comprising: forming an aliquot in a concave shaped fluid passage; providing a detector a distance from the concave shaped surface; and reading spectral energy of the aliquot thereby determining the activity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further including inserting an optical element between the concave shaped fluid passage and the detector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further including collimating the spectra energy before reading the activity.