Instrumentation for in Vivo Neutron Activation Analysis in Humans

The application and methods of in vivo neutron activation analysis to measure the chemical composition of the major elements in the human body are still in the early stages of development. However, the technique is being used routinely to measure total body calcium which cannot be accurately measured by any other method at the present time. The instrumentation required for determining the total body content of major elements in humans after exposure to a low level neutron flux includes an automated system to provide a safe, precise, and uniform neutron irradiation throughout the entire body and a sensitive whole body counting system for measuring the gamma rays from the radionuclides produced in the body.