Software BioScout-Calibrator June 2013

Transcription

1 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 1 Manual Software BioScout-Calibrator June 2013 SARAD GmbH Tel.: ++49 (0)351 / Wiesbadener Straße 10 FAX: ++49 (0)351 / D Dresden support@sarad.de GERMANY Internet: Content INTRODUCTION... 3 OVERVIEW... 3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS... 3 USE CASES... 4 EXCHANGING NUCLIDES... 4 Goal... 4 Steps... 4 Results... 5 MEASUREMENT PARAMETERS... 6 Goal... 6 Steps... 6 Results... 7 MANAGE THE BIOSCOUT-VIEW SPECTRA COLLECTION... 8 Goal... 8 Steps... 8 Result RECALIBRATE Goal Steps Result FURTHER HELP... 14

2 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 2 List of abbreviations RS232 USB kev Standard for serial communication Universal Serial Bus kiloelectron volt

3 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 3 Introduction The software BioScout-Calibrator is the expert tool for the BioScout instrument. This document describes the basic usage of this software. It is recommended to read the BioScout instrument manual before starting to read this document. There is a non expert tool (BioScout-View) which enables the costumer to read out spectra from the BioScout. In contrast the BioScout-Calibrator is also capable to calibrate the BioScout and to set the nuclides the BioScout should detect. Both use cases are described in this manual. Additionally the management of spectra is described. Overview The BioScout is a typical windows application. It has a menu bar which enables you to control the application, an area where all the dialogs are placed and a status bar where status information is displayed. System requirements Windows XP / VISTA / 7 (32/64 bit) Serial interface (RS232) or USB port Monitor with at least 1024 x 768 pixels Mouse

4 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 4 Use cases In the following it is described how to choose the nuclides the BioScout is supposed to detect and how to calibrate or manage the spectra collection of the BioScout-View software using the BioScout-Calibrator software. Exchanging Nuclides Goal The BioScout is by default configured to detect the following nuclides: Sr-90, Am-241, Cs- 134, Cs-137, I-131, K-40. To be able to detect other nuclides the preset nuclides need to be exchanged. Steps 1. Attach the BioScout to the computer either via RS232 or USB 2. Start the software application 3. Enter the provided password 4. Select a BioScout from the list of auto detected BioScouts 5. Open configuration

5 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 5 6. Select a nuclide slot on the left 7. Double click on the wished nuclide in the list on the right 8. Close the dialog 9. Confirm configuration download 10. Switch off the BioScout and on again to let it perform the background check once more Note: The BioScout uses a special mechanism to monitor the background. If a nuclide with a higher energy than 796 kev is selected, this background mechanism needs to be changed. In this case please contact the manufacturer. Results After an updated background check the BioScout is capable to detect the chosen nuclides. Note: The new configuration is stored in the device. It will overwrite the default setting and therefore remains after switching the power off.

6 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 6 Measurement Parameters Goal When detecting different levels of activity concentrations with the BioScout it will be necessary to vary parameters like the measurement time or the time for the background measurement to alter the accuracy of the results and the BioScout s detection limit. Steps 1. Attach the BioScout to the computer either via RS232 or USB 2. Start the software application 3. Enter the provided password 4. Select a BioScout from the list of auto detected BioScouts 5. Open configuration

7 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 7 6. Change the measurement parameters by moving the slide control 7. Close the dialog 8. Confirm configuration download 9. Switch off the BioScout and on again to let it perform the background check once more Results Users are capable to select measurement parameters of the BioScout according to they measurement goal.

8 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 8 Manage the BioScout-View Spectra Collection The BioScout-View software is able to read out the BioScout s spectra storage. The read out spectra are saved on the computer in a spectra collection. Because this data is intended to be used as evidence it is not intended to remove any spectrum from the growing collection by using the BioScout-View software. Managing the spectra can only be done by using the BioScout Calibrator software. Goal Remove or add spectra from the BioScout-View s spectrum collection. Steps 1. Attach the BioScout to the computer either via RS232 or USB 2. Start the software application 3. Enter the provided password 4. Select a BioScout from the list of auto detected BioScouts

9 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 9 5. Open spectrum collection by clicking on Spectrum menu and afterwards on open 6. Select Energy Spectra Collection... from the drop down box on the lower right, provide %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\SARAD GmbH\BioScout\ as file name and hit enter. Afterwards select store.especc and confirm the dialog.

10 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator Add or remove spectra from the collection a. Remove spectra from the list by using the context menu (click with right mouse button on the list) b. Add spectra by opening other collections or single spectra or by reading out spectra from the BioScout 8. Save the spectra collection by clicking on the Spectrum menu and afterwards on Save all. Result The BioScout-View s collection of spectra is updated.

11 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 11 Recalibrate Note: This is a complex operation. In order to calibrate the device a calibration standard with a definite activity is needed to be able to compare the output result with it. This is called the efficiency calibration. Additionally, well known gamma radiation sources are needed which cover a broad part of the gamma spectrum that is observed by the device. This is called the energy calibration. It is recommended to use the Excel Template (Calibration.xltx, to be requested from SARAD) to calculate the calibration coefficients mentioned below. Goal The accuracy of the results (weight specific activity) provided by the BioScout are dependent on its calibration. If the results don t match the expected values the BioScout needs to be recalibrated. Steps 1. Attach the BioScout to the computer either via RS232 or USB 2. Start the software application 3. Enter the provided password 4. Select a BioScout from the list of auto detected BioScouts

12 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator Follow the calibration procedure, which is described in the calibration Excel Template by utilizing the command Current from the Spectrum menu. 6. Open configuration by clicking in the upper left corner of the configuration window 7. Modify coefficients by clicking on them 8. Close the coefficient dialog 9. Close the configuration dialog

13 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator Confirm configuration download. 10. Switch off the BioScout and on again to let it perform the background check once more Result The BioScout shows correct results within the displayed error range.

14 SARAD GmbH BioScout -Calibrator 14 Further help internet: