Radiographic projector
A radiographic projector ( 10 ) for housing and projecting a radioisotope for use in radiography is described. The front end of the projector has a chamfered surface ( 12 ) for receiving an ancillary shielding component. The material used for the front end surface of the projector is tungsten powder in a less dense material matrix. A locking mechanism ( 30 ) for a projector is described, including a locking bar for locking a source holder in the projector. The locking mechanism includes an interlock section for retaining the locking bar in an unlocked position while a source holder is not in its storage position, and a latch section for latching the locking bar in the unlocked position prior to engagement of the interlock section. A holster for mounting a radiographic projector and a retraction cage for a remote windout mechanism are also described.
1. A radiographic projector for housing a radioisotope, the apparatus comprising:
a first radiation shield for housing a radioisotope;
a second radiation shield;
the first radiation shield defining a surface for removably receiving in surface-to-surface contact the second radiation shield;
a connector for connecting said first radiation shield to said second radiation shield;
wherein a first portion of said surface defines an aperture through which a radioisotope located in the first radiation shield may be projected out of the first radiation shield; and
a second portion of said surface is inclined relative to a plane of said aperture.
2. A radiographic projector according to claim 1 , wherein said second portion surrounds said first portion.
3. A radiographic projector according to claim 1 , wherein said first radiation shield comprises a channel along which a radioisotope may be moved, said channel being in communication with said aperture.
4. A radiographic projector according to claim 3 , wherein said first portion is substantially orthogonal to said channel.
5. A radiographic projector according to claim 1 , wherein said first portion of said surface is located at an end of said first radiation shield, and said second portion of said surface is a chamfered edge of said first radiation shield.
6. A radiographic projector according to claim 1 , wherein said surface of said first radiation shield is formed of a radiation absorbent material.
7. A radiographic projector according to claim 6 , wherein said radiation absorbent material comprises at least one of depleted uranium, tungsten, lead, or tungsten powder in a binder.
8. A radiographic projector according to claim 1 , further comprising a second radiation shield, adapted to removably engage said surface of said first radiation shield.
9. A radiographic projector according to claim 8 , wherein said second radiation shield is a collimator.
10. A radiographic projector according to claim 8 , wherein said second radiation shield is a guide tube.
11. A radiographic projector for housing a radioisotope, the radiographic projector comprising:
a first radiation shield for housing a radioisotope;
a second radiation shield;
the first radiation shield defining a surface for removably engaging in surface-to-surface contact said second radiation shield;
a connector for connecting said first radiation shield to said second radiation shield;
wherein a first portion of said surface defines an aperture through which a radioisotope located in the first radiation shield may be projected out of the first radiation shield; and
said surface of said first radiation shield comprises a radiation absorbent material.
12. A radiographic projector according to claim 11 , wherein said radiation absorbent material comprises tungsten.
13. A radiographic projector according to claim 11 , wherein said radiation absorbent material comprises tungsten powder in a less dense material matrix.
14. A radiographic projector as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a source holder assembly in which a radioisotope may be moved along said channel, wherein at least parts of said source holder assembly comprise a shielding material for shielding radiation emitted by said radioisotope in forward and backward directions along said channel.
15. A radiographic projector according to claim 11 , wherein said first radiation shield comprises a channel along which a radioisotope may be moved, said channel being in communication with said aperture; and
further comprising a source holder assembly in which a radioisotope may be moved along said channel, wherein at least parts of said source holder assembly comprise a shielding material for shielding radiation emitted by said radioisotope in forward and backward directions along said channel.