Title: Liquid scintillation systems and apparatus for measuring high-energy radiation emitted by samples in standard laboratory test tubes

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Claims: The invention claimed is:

1. A scintillation detection system for detecting radiation emitted by radioactive samples, said system comprising:

a sample holder including a vial containing a scintillator, means forming a well extending substantially centrally into the scintillator, the bottom end of said well being closed and the top end of said well being open, and a test tube received in said well;

a scintillation detection chamber; and

transfer means for moving said sample holder into said scintillation detection chamber for detection of scintillations emanating from said scintillator and for removing said sample holder from said chamber after said detection.

2. A scintillation detection system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a conveyor positioned at a lever different from that of said detection chamber for conveying a plurality of said sample holders, and wherein said transfer means comprises an elevator passage between said conveyor and said detection chamber, an elevator movable upwardly and downwardly through said elevator passage for carrying individual sample holders between said conveyor and said detection chamber, and means including a shutter for closing the conveyor end of said elevator passage after a sample holder enters said passage and for opening said end of said elevator passage to permit a sample holder to leave said elevator passage.

3. A scintillation detection system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said conveyor has a light source associated therewith near said elevator passage, and light source control means for turning off said light source to prevent its light from reaching said detection chamber.

4. A scintillation detection system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said light source control means comprises means dependent upon the position of said elevator for turning off said light source whenever said elevator is in motion.

5. A scintillation detection system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for closing and opening said passage comprises a drive wheel for moving said elevator, said drive wheel having control means for controlling said shutter in accordance with the circumferential position of said control means on said wheel, said control means being positioned to permit said sample holders to pass said shutter without interference.

6. A scintillation detection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillator is a liquid scintillator containing lead acetate.

7. A scintillation detection system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said scintillator is Insta-gel containing 90% aqueous lead acetate solution in a ratio of about 11 to 4.5.

8. A holder for radioactive samples comprising a vial having a cavity therein and having means forming a well extending into said cavity, the bottom end of said well being closed and the top of said well being open to the exterior of said vial for receiving a test tube, said cavity receiving a liquid scintillator surrounding said well.

9. A sample holder as set forth in claim 8, wherein said well has dimensions just sufficient to accommodate a test tube having a diameter of 10 mm.

10. A sample holder as set forth in claim 8, wherein said vial comprises a transparent container having an open top and has a cover fitted to said open top, and wherein said well depends from said cover.

11. A sample holder as set forth in claim 8, wherein said well extends throughout most of the height of said cavity.

12. A device for holding a sample for radiation detection comprising a transparent container having an open top in communication with a container cavity, a cap fitted to said open top and having means depending therefrom forming a well extending into said container cavity, the bottom of said well being closed and the top of said well being open, and a test tube received in said well and adapted to contain a radioactive sample.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said test tube measures about 10mm. .times. 75mm.

14. A device as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a liquid scintillator contained in said container cavity surounding said well.

15. A device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said scintillator comprises a solution containing lead acetate.

16. A device as set forth in claim 15, wherein said scintillator comprises Insta-gel and 90% aqueous lead acetate solution in a ratio of about 11 to 4.5.

17. A container cap for supporting a test tube in an open-top container having external threads around an open upper end, said container cap comprising:

internally-threaded cover means adapted to fit over the open top of said container, and

means forming a cylindrical well depending substantially centrally from said cover means, the bottom end of said well being closed and the top end of said well being open and dimensioned for receiving a test tube about 10 mm in diameter, whereby said test tube may be supported substantially centrally in said container when said container cap is fitted thereto.
Other info:

Inventors: Benvenutti, Ronald A. (Woodbridge, VA, US)

Application Number: 434600
Filing Date: 1974-01-18
Publication_date: 1976-02-10
Assignee: Meloy Laboratories, Inc. (Springfield, VA)
Primary Class(es): 250/328 215/12.1, 250/361R, 250/363.01
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2623229	Dec, 1952	Brinton	215/12.
2855520	Oct, 1958	Stoddart et al.	250/361.
3404270	Oct, 1968	Ross	250/364.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Borchelt, Archie R.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Shapiro and Shapiro