Biomaterial Database

Monte Carlo calculations applied to the parametrical studies in a whole body counter. 2008

Jean Louis Genicot, and Virginia Koukouliou, and Eleftheria Carinou

Belgian Nuclear Research Centre-SCK-CEN, Division of Radiation Protection, Department of Safeguard and Nuclear Measurements, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. jgenicot@sckcen.be

The use of a Monte Carlo code for the analysis and interpretation of whole body counting measurements is described. The sources of error are analysed and commented to show how a counting geometry can be improved by improving accuracy and precision in a measurement. The effects of body size, contamination distribution and counting geometry are also parameters which can be easily used to improve the quality of a body burden assessment. The optimisation of the detector (position, shielding, shape and size) is also commented on the basis of calculations in the photon energy range usually encountered in routine measurements. The results obtained from these simulations are confirmed by experimental results.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009010	Monte Carlo Method	In statistics, a technique for numerically approximating the solution of a mathematical problem by studying the distribution of some random variable, often generated by a computer. The name alludes to the randomness characteristic of the games of chance played at the gambling casinos in Monte Carlo. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed, 1993)	Method, Monte Carlo
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012542	Scattering, Radiation	The diversion of RADIATION (thermal, electromagnetic, or nuclear) from its original path as a result of interactions or collisions with atoms, molecules, or larger particles in the atmosphere or other media. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Radiation Scattering,Radiation Scatterings,Scatterings, Radiation
D014915	Whole-Body Counting	Measurement of radioactivity in the entire human body.	Whole Body Counter,Whole-Body Counters,Body Counter, Whole,Body Counters, Whole,Counter, Whole Body,Counter, Whole-Body,Counters, Whole Body,Counters, Whole-Body,Counting, Whole-Body,Whole Body Counters,Whole Body Counting,Whole-Body Counter
D019047	Phantoms, Imaging	Devices or objects in various imaging techniques used to visualize or enhance visualization by simulating conditions encountered in the procedure. Phantoms are used very often in procedures employing or measuring x-irradiation or radioactive material to evaluate performance. Phantoms often have properties similar to human tissue. Water demonstrates absorbing properties similar to normal tissue, hence water-filled phantoms are used to map radiation levels. Phantoms are used also as teaching aids to simulate real conditions with x-ray or ultrasonic machines. (From Iturralde, Dictionary and Handbook of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Imaging, 1990)	Phantoms, Radiographic,Phantoms, Radiologic,Radiographic Phantoms,Radiologic Phantoms,Phantom, Radiographic,Phantom, Radiologic,Radiographic Phantom,Radiologic Phantom,Imaging Phantom,Imaging Phantoms,Phantom, Imaging