Whole-Body Counting Systems

Whatever your Whole-Body Counting Problem. . .

ORTEC has the Solution

Whole-Body Counting Systems

For more than 25 years ORTEC has been supplying Bio-Assay Counting Solutions around the world. That experience has
taught us that a one-size-fits-all approach is NOT the answer. Needs differ from facility to facility. ORTEC can design a solution
to match your operational and regulatory need. Exactly:
Need to screen a lot of temporary workers, FAST, during an outage? The ORTEC StandFAST II is capable of screening 50+
people per hour with the lowest detection limits in the industry.
Need to screen fewer people with greater accuracy? No problem. ORTEC produces a variety of chair configurations to
keep your workers comfortable while the high performance, high resolution Germanium (HPGe) detectors precisely
quantify the isotopes and levels of activity.
Want the accuracy that only Germanium detectors can provide, but not the operational complexity of Liquid Nitrogen?
Most ORTEC HPGe whole-body counters can be fitted with mechanical cooling. ORTEC leads in this transformational
technology, offering you a cost effective alternative to the weekly or even daily liquid nitrogen management chores.
Reduced background PopTop detector capsule designs combine high sensitivity and serviceability.
Need to perform baseline and follow-up analyses for Transuranics on your workers? ORTEC customized Lung Burden
systems offer the highest absolute efficiency with ORTEC 85 mm diameter ACTINIDE-85 detectors. These unique
detectors have up to 13% more frontal area and hence greater sensitivity than other HPGe detector types, giving better
coverage of the human lungs when measuring Americium, Plutonium, and other low-energy, low-yield gamma emitters.
Actinide-85 detectors are provided with the industrys only all Carbon Fiber endcap, which results in improved efficiency
due to transmission through the low Z Carbon. . . and it is absolutely the LOWEST background material of any available
endcap.

Fast Screening Systems

StandFAST II
The ORTEC StandFAST II excels as a stand-up screening counter, offering industry
leading performance in several areas. It offers a remarkably large interior dimension
compared to other counting systems. The walk-through design is unique in the industry
and makes the counting process more efficient by allowing workers to pass through the
system much like a body contamination monitor.
The large 4" x 4" x 16" NaI(Tl) detectors in the center column of the StandFAST II give an
ideal geometry and high efficiency for a stand up counter. The combination of large
detectors with superior shield design ensure very low detection capability to achieve
150Bq (4 nCi) 60Co LLD.
The StandFAST II system includes detectors, digitally stable electronics, a computer, and
Renaissance-32 analysis software. The single cable connection from the detectors to
the computer (USB or Ethernet) provides ease of installation, service, and maintenance.
The entire system, including the shield, is modular for installation and easy maintenance.

Whole-Body Counting Systems

Systems for Detailed Investigation
Typically a backup to a fast screening system, such as a contamination monitor or StandFAST II, is a counter designed to do
further investigation of any potentially high counts. These systems have several common features:
Chair or Bed for the worker
Smaller discreet detector units (NaI or HPGe)
Automated software for data analysis and reporting
Because the count times are typically longer in order to achieve lower minimum detectable activities (MDAs) for the
investigation, a chair or even a bed are used to provide a comfortable position for the worker while being examined. ORTEC
can offer a number of configurations of this type to suit specific requirements. If you are unsure, we are happy to advise.
HPGe detectors are most commonly used because of their higher resolution which results in better fidelity of the radioisotopic
analysis. Multiple detectors are often used so that the distribution of sources can be located and isolated to, for example, the
lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or thyroid. Scanning systems, in which the detector system is moved relative to the subject, can
gather data (spectra) versus position to achieve the same distribution information or measure a total body activity.
The swivel chair makes entry and exit of this system easy for the person being counted. The simple design offers many
advantages over complex positioning mechanisms. Lower maintenance costs, increased safety, and fixed geometry for
calibration and assessment are a few of the features. The large shield and collimator surrounding the detector, along with the
shadow shield behind the individual being counted, deliver low-background capabilities to this unique system design.

Examples of HPGe Systems in Chair/Bed Configuration

Combination HPGe (Lung and GI Tract) and

NaI (Thyroid) System.

Dual HPGe Detector System with

X-COOLER III.

HPGe-based Scanning Bed.

Whole-Body Counting Systems

NaI-Based Systems
A variety of chairs using NaI detectors are in common use throughout the nuclear
industry in routine screening. This particular ORTEC model uses a single, large
(5"x4") crystal in a collimated shield to provide good performance from a simple
system. Like the HPGe systems, the swivel design of the chair makes entry and exit
to the system easy for the worker and the geometry reproducible for accurate
results.

Low-Background Room
NaI System with Single, Large Crystal
in Collimated Shield and Swivel Seat.

ACTINIDE-85 Detector

A number of facilities have lowbackground rooms where very low

level measurements can be made.
ORTEC can outfit this type of room
with a customized solution depending
on the application.

Low-Background Room with Whole-Body Counting

Detectors Cooled with X-COOLER III units.

Lung Burden measurements are made with an array of large diameter, low
background detectors such as our unique ACTINIDE-85 assemblies.
ACTINIDE-85 is a high-resolution, high-purity germanium detector designed specifically for lung
burden and whole-body counting applications. The unique detector design allows for the
detection of small amounts of actinides such as uranium, plutonium, and americium, as well as
higher energy fission products and naturally-occurring radioisotopes, in a distributed source
such as the human lung. The detector is based on the PROFILE GEM-FX8530 detector, which
employs a proprietary thin entrance window in order to improve low energy efficiency. The
ACTINIDE-85 has been optimized to provide high detection efficiency and resolution
performance in the energy range of actinides such as Pu, Am and U, which span the
13200 keV energy range, while the excellent warranted energy resolution at 1.33 MeV
means that the ACTINIDE-85 is equally well suited for analysis of fission products as well. It is
therefore ideal for monitoring radiation workers for lung burden, body burden and wounds.
85-mm diameter and 30-mm thick high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector optimized for
Actinide Bioassay measurements.
5400 mm2 frontal active area with excellent photon sensitivity for photon energies above
10keV.
Warranted Energy Resolution (FWHM) equal to or better than 600 eV at 14.4 keV.
Warranted Energy Resolution (FWHM) equal to or better than 50 eV at 122 keV.
Warranted Energy Resolution (FWHM) equal to or better than 1.9 keV at 1332 keV.
Warranted P:C ratio >55:1.
FW0.1M/FWHM typically <2.0, FW0.2M/FWHM typically <2.9.
Available in LN2-free mechanically cooled configurations.
The all carbon fiber endcap is ideal for high transmission of low energy photons and
exceptional low-background performance. The large diameter (85 mm) gives greater
geometric efficiency than any comparable detector system, as much as 13% more per
detector in fact. Higher efficiency means shorter count times to achieve the same Minimum
Detectable Activity.

Four Detector ACTINIDE-85 Array

for Lung Burden Measurements.

Whole-Body Counting Systems

Low-Background Whole-Body
Counting Detectors
Many low-background rooms also measure the
whole-body for internal contamination. This can be
performed with large detectors positioned over the
torso or with a scanning system placed under the
bed. Whole-body counting with HPGe detectors
requires high efficiency, superb resolution, lowbackground, and excellent peak-to-Compton
performance. ORTEC's series of GEM, P-type
detectors with low-background cryostats are ideally
suited for this application. ORTEC has been
manufacturing high efficiency detectors (>120%) for
15 years. Current state of the art is 200% relative
efficiency with many whole-body counting facilities
using ~150% efficient detectors today. Using these
high performance detectors in conjunction with lowbackground materials and excellent peak shape
performance ensures lower detection limits and
higher throughput for any Whole-Body Counting
system.

Low-Background Improvement from Carbon Fiber Endcaps.

Advances in technology have allowed ORTEC to

upgrade many of these systems with mechanically
cooled options to alleviate the problems associated
with liquid nitrogen filling in these confined spaces
(there are safety issues as well). The capsules still
utilize the carbon fiber endcaps to maintain lowbackground performance and high efficiency for low
energy photons.

Improved Efficiency from Carbon Fiber Endcaps.

LN2 based Detectors in

Scanning Whole-Body Counter
(mounted under bed).

Whole-Body Counting Systems

Upgrading Systems
Renaissance software is the core software component of upgrading Whole-Body Counting systems. Many facilities already
have a variety of counting equipment, shields, and detectors. With large investments being often made in a whole-body
counter at the time of initial purchase, upgrades need to be as simple and low-cost as possible. Renaissance software is
designed to operate not only the new systems being developed today, but also those existing counters already in the facility.
The ORTEC Technical Development Team has been upgrading whole-body counters around the globe with new detectors,
X-COOLER mechanical cooling options, new digitally stable electronics, or improved software functionality. Many customers
have adopted the ORTEC CONNECTIONS strategy for their counting laboratories and now for their whole-body counters as
well. The combination of PC-based acquisition, Microsoft Windows operating systems and full networking support, in addition
to the high-quality detectors and electronics combined Renaissance software make an upgrade simple and straightforward.
Contact your local ORTEC Representative to see how economical an upgrade can be!

Whole-Body Counting Systems

Ordering Information
Contact your local sales representative for a quote on any of the systems listed below.
Model

Description

StandFAST II

Stand-Up Whole-Body Counter

WBC-200

Sodium Iodide Based Chair with one detectorl

WBC-200-2

Sodium Iodide Based Chair with two detector s

WBC-200-DFX8530

High Resolution HPGe Based Chair with two detectors and LN2 free cooling

WBC-BSCAN

High Resolution HPGe Based Scanning Bed with one detector and LN2 free cooling

WBC-T

NaI Based Counter Top Thyroid Screening System with one detector

WBC-LB-2

High Resolution HPGe Based Lung Burden Analysis System with two detectors

WBC-LB-4

High Resolution HPGe Based Lung Burden Analysis System with four detectors

For over 25 years, ORTEC has supplied and continues to supply a wide variety of Bio-Assay products world-wide: complete
systems, upgrades, support and training. We are committed to supplying high performance, innovative and reliable solutions
to all aspects of whole-body counting and would be happy to discuss your requirements in detail. In the first instance, please
contact your local ORTEC Representative.

Whole-Body Counting Systems

Specifications subject to change

051214

ORTEC

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