Medical equipment is crucial for nuclear medicine. Besides PET and SPECT imaging devices, it includes non-imaging instruments, radiation protection gear, and in vitro analysis tools. Today, "Novel Medical" will introduce common equipment briefly.
Radiopharmaceutical Imaging Devices
The main imaging devices in the nuclear medicine department include SPECT(/CT) and PET(/CT). Both use radioactive isotopes to generate images, but their working principles and applications differ.
Novel Medical independently developed Insight 4D Quantitative SPECT/CT
SPECT(/CT) uses radiopharmaceuticals with a long half-life and wide availability, making it easy to promote and popularize. It is a fundamental piece of equipment in nuclear medicine departments, widely applied in various systemic diseases, and is often the first choice for establishing nuclear medicine departments in county-level hospitals.
On the other hand, PET(/CT, /MR) uses radionuclides that are mainly inherent elements of the human body, enabling metabolic imaging. This has significant clinical value for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. PET typically involves whole-body scanning, which is costly, and requires an application for a large medical equipment configuration permit from relevant authorities.
Non-Imaging Functional Measurement Instruments
Non-imaging functional measurement instruments include thyroid function meters, renal function meters, and bone densitometers (whole-body dual-energy X-ray). Thyroid function meters are mainly used in departments that diagnose and treat thyroid conditions. Bone densitometers (whole-body dual-energy X-ray) sometimes belong to radiology or orthopedics departments. Currently, few departments are equipped with renal function meters.
Radiation Protection Equipment
Radiation protection equipment is essential in nuclear medicine and plays a critical role in environmental and health evaluations. Common radiation protection equipment includes lead shielding devices (such as lead aprons, lead glasses, lead screens, etc.), injection protection sleeves, injection protection carts, syringe transport boxes, transfer lead containers, radioactive waste bins, environmental radiation monitors, surface contamination monitors, and personal dosimeters. Staff must be professionally trained to wear personal dosimeters, and these devices must be regularly inspected to obtain and record radiation dose values for staff.
In Vitro Analysis Instruments
The Nuclear Medicine Department sometimes undertakes in vitro diagnostic tasks. Common in vitro analysis instruments include radioimmunoassay analyzers. In some cases, in vitro diagnostic tasks are handled by other departments or laboratories instead of the Nuclear Medicine Department.
Radiopharmaceutical Acquisition and Quality Control Equipment
There are two main ways to obtain radiopharmaceuticals in the nuclear medicine department. First, purchasing from manufacturers, which requires equipment like radionuclide dispensing hot cells and dose calibrators. Second, in-house preparation, using equipment such as radionuclide generators and cyclotrons. In-house preparation typically requires a higher-level radiopharmaceutical usage license.
Quality control is an essential step before clinical use of radiopharmaceuticals to ensure diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and to minimize radiation risks. Relevant equipment includes dose calibrators, thin-layer scanners, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) devices.
Nuclear Medicine Department Facilities
The nuclear medicine department, as a vital part of the healthcare system, requires various emergency and auxiliary facilities to ensure patient safety and smooth diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Essential equipment includes ECG machines, defibrillators, oxygen bags/cylinders, imaging aids such as cardiac stress treadmills and lung ventilation devices, and other auxiliary devices like monitoring systems and department registration and reporting systems. Together, these components form the equipment system of the nuclear medicine department, providing strong support for patient safety and smooth operation.
Equipment configuration in the nuclear medicine department is a systematic and complex task with undeniable importance. With the rapid advancement of technology, new equipment such as automated drug injectors and automated queuing systems continuously emerge. These innovations not only drive the rapid development of the nuclear medicine department but also significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of medical services. Therefore, carefully selecting suitable equipment based on the department's specific needs and long-term planning is particularly important. For more information on nuclear medicine department construction, please continue to follow "Novel Medical"
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