Design, development, and implementation of a high adaptability whole body counting system

Optimization using computer simulations has enabled the authors to design a unique counter for acquiring quantitative and regional information for the widest range of subject sizes and activities compared with all existing systems. The authors´ design will be able to provide quantitative information for naturally occurring K-40 to within 5% error for a 70 kg man, and to within 12% error for a 3 kg newborn for a 30 minute scan. In addition, the whole body counter will produce regional information to within 7 cm resolution, and subject activities ranging from natural body background to several GBq will be accurately measured without detector saturation. The added versatility of variable subject size and detector sensitivity will make this whole body counter a unique, valuable and useful research and clinical tool