The realization of real-time video processing for volume measurement in radiopharmaceutical dispenser

This paper presents the realization of a cost-effective semi-auto radiopharmaceutical dispenser with real-time video processing for volume measurement. Typically, a fully-automated radiopharmaceutical dispenser is expensive while a manual dispenser is harmful to operators due to radiation exposures. In the proposed system, the video camera provides the real-time video signals of the Fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) volume in a 5-ml syringe to a computer and the volume detection is subsequently performed through video processing using MATLAB. Air is slowly pushed through an extension tube from a 20-ml syringe to the [18F]-FDG vial until the 5-ml syringe plunger is moved to reach the required volume. The computer subsequently displays an automated calculation volume of [18F]-FDG for the operator that help a dispensing of the [18F]-FDG and therefore a one-time operation is sufficient. The proposed system offers a potential alternative to high-cost commercial radiopharmaceutical dispenser achieving a high precision and reducing operator´s radiation exposure.