Nuclear Medicine Hot Cell
Strong radiation protection: Lead, steel or concrete shielding effectively blocks γ/β rays and protects operators from high-activity radioactive materials.
Safe operation: Indirect operation through robotic arms or remote tools to avoid direct contact and reduce contamination risks.
Precise packaging: Dedicated to the preparation of radioactive drugs (such as technetium-99m, iodine-131), ensuring accurate dosage and improving diagnosis and treatment effects.
Environmental isolation: Negative pressure design and closed structure prevent leakage of radioactive aerosols or particles to ensure laboratory cleanliness.
Versatile adaptation: Ventilation, monitoring and automation systems can be integrated to meet the diverse needs of scientific research, medical care and nuclear industry.
Detailed explanation of nuclear medicine hot cell
Nuclear medicine hot cell is a shielded and closed work chamber designed for the operation of highly radioactive materials. It is widely used in the fields of medical treatment, scientific research and nuclear industry. Its core function is to ensure the safety of operators and ensure the accurate preparation and processing of radioactive materials.
1. Structure and shielding design
The main body of the hot cell adopts a multi-layer shielding structure, usually composed of lead (5-15 cm thick), steel or high-density concrete, with a built-in lead glass observation window (thickness can reach more than 20 cm) to block gamma rays and beta particles. The shielding layer must comply with the radiation limit standards of ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) to ensure that the external radiation dose is less than 1 mSv/h. Some hot cells are equipped with removable shielding plugs to facilitate the transfer of samples or equipment.
2. Operation and functional system
Remote control: Operate radioactive materials through robotic arms, long-handled tools or fully automated systems (such as Schlenk technology) to reduce direct contact between personnel.
Ventilation and purification: Built-in negative pressure system and HEPA high-efficiency filter to prevent leakage of radioactive aerosols, and exhaust gas is discharged after adsorption by activated carbon.
Monitoring device: integrated radiation dosimeter, temperature and humidity sensor and real-time camera to ensure safe and controllable environment.
3. Core application scenarios
Medical field: used to prepare diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals (such as PET imaging agent fluorine-18 FDG) and therapeutic isotopes (such as lutetium-177, iodine-131), the dose error must be controlled within ±5%.
Scientific research experiments: handling high-activity radioactive sources (such as actinium-225) in nuclear physics laboratories, or studying new isotope-labeled compounds.
Nuclear waste treatment: cutting and packaging of spent fuel or contaminated equipment in accordance with the IAEA "Radioactive Waste Management Standards".
4. Technical specifications and safety standards
The US NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) requires that the design of hot cells must meet the 10 CFR Part 20 radiation protection guidelines and conduct regular shielding effectiveness tests.
Europe follows the EURATOM directive, requiring that the hot cell operation area be strictly isolated from the non-radioactive area and equipped with emergency decontamination facilities.
5. Development Trends
Intelligent upgrade: Introduce AI algorithms to optimize the robot arm operation path and improve packaging efficiency.
Modular design: Hot chamber units that can be quickly assembled or expanded to meet the needs of different laboratories.
Green processing technology: Develop low-energy ventilation systems and radioactive waste reduction technologies to reduce environmental burden.
As a key equipment for radiation protection and precision operation, the technological progress of nuclear medicine hot chambers will continue to promote innovation and development in nuclear medicine diagnosis and treatment, nuclear energy development and other fields.
