title: A versatile and economic whole-body counter based on liquid scintillation detector modules.
abstract: A whole-body counter comprising rectangular liquid scintillator detector modules is described. Photomultipliers are used economically and the use of local shielding leads to a further reduction in cost. In conjunction with a moving bed, the modular arrangement provides a versatile system which allows high sensitivity static counting using all detectors, or scan counting using selected combinations of detectors. The total body potassium content of a standard man (140 g K) can be estimated with a statistical counting error of 2.2% in a counting time of 1000 seconds. Methods of using the counter for total body potassium and gastro-intestinal absorption measurements are presented.
mesh_terms: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007504:Iron Radioisotopes; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000032:analysis; D014915:Whole-Body Counting / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D007504:Iron Radioisotopes; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D011188:Potassium