Our company takes great pride in the crystal replacement services that we offer. We believe it is extremely important to educate our customers in what they should look for when the time comes to replace the crystal in a gamma camera.
Below is a guide to basic facts on gamma camera crystals and tests to conduct when assessing the current quality of your gamma camera’s crystal. Ultimately, the below should help you answer the question: When should I replace the crystal or crystals in my Gamma Camera?
Important Facts on Gamma Camera Crystals
- There is no specific lifespan, date or time that deems the crystal is becoming defective.
- Environmental conditions such as power and temperature play a major role in the life of the crystal.
- If the hermetic seal breaks down, the crystal will begin to hydrate which can cause artifacts in the images, decreased sensitivity and reduction in resolution.
- A hydrated crystal can cause premature failure of photomultiplier tubes by causing the tubes to work harder because of the decreased light output of the crystal.
- A hydrated crystal can cause increased scan times and less statistics.
- The latest computers can correct many defects but will not fix a hydrated crystal that has decreased sensitivity and decreased resolution.
- Ultimately a hydrated crystal will increase your cost of ongoing maintenance (or what?)
Tests to Perform & What to Look For
- Daily quality control images (i.e. flood and bars) could show a progression of crystal degradation.
- Periodic off peak images +/- 10% could identify problem areas that are hydrated and show measles.
- Monthly system uniformity images of 30 million counts or more could identify the start of problem areas in the crystal.
- High-count images with corrections turned off could also identify problem areas in the crystal.
Solution
Nuclear Camera Services Inc. provides replacement detectors or onsite crystal replacements depending on the system type. Our team will work with you to evaluate the crystals in your gamma camera detectors and help you decide the best course of action in order to bring your system back to meet or exceed manufacturers specifications.
So What’s the Cost?
NCSI is typically at least fifty percent less than OEM list price and will provide zero down time by working with your schedule. For more information or to request a quote, please contact us here.