A mercuric iodide detector unit implantable and externally powered for use in radionuclide tracer studies in small animals.

Abstract

A small externally powered implantable gamma-radiation detector unit (35 X 12 mm diameter containing a mercuric iodide detector (HgI2), charge amplifier, radiotransmitter and an inductive power supply has been constructed. Since the total weight of the device is 5 g, it is suitable for implantation in laboratory animals such as rats or hamsters. A comparison between the implanted HgI2 detector unit and a conventional stationary 2 X 2 inch NaI(TI) detector has been performed by simultaneous measurements of the 133Xe clearance from a depot. Using 125I-iothalamate a kidney function study of an unrestrained hamster is shown as an example of measurements in the unrestrained animal.