Description
The ELSE Nuclear THYMON is a compact, high-sensitivity thyroid monitoring system engineered for rapid, reliable detection of Radioiodine (I-131) contamination during radiological emergencies and population triage.
Combining a collimated NaI(Tl) scintillation detector with advanced silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) readout electronics and an intuitive rugged tablet, THYMON delivers high-accuracy screening in under two minutes without requiring nuclear physics expertise. Fully compliant with IEC 61582 standards, it is suitable for nuclear emergency response teams, first responders, hospital radiation safety officers, and civil defense agencies across Canada.
Additional information
- Rapid Triage Screening ($\le 2$ Minutes): Achieves typical Minimum Detectable Activities (MDA) between 90 and 120 Bq in 2-minute screening runs, lowering even further with automated background subtraction enabled.
- Age-Specific Response Functions: Features pre-configured response functions validated via physical neck phantoms at CIEMAT for 1 yo, 5 yo, 10 yo, 15 yo, adult female, and adult male demographics. Additional custom age profiles can be defined directly by users.
- Zero Calibration Source Needed: Engineered for immediate deployment; no calibration radioactive source is required for operational energy and efficiency calibration.
- Flexible Hands-Free & Handheld Modes: Comes equipped with an extendable support frame that functions both as a desktop mount and a freestanding floor tripod, minimizing positioning errors ($\le \pm20\%$).
- Automated Action Level Logic: Automatically flags user-configured screening thresholds per age group based on two-tier Action Level criteria for prompt medical referral.
- Rugged All-Weather Reliability: Rated IP67 during transit in its heavy-duty case and IP65 in operational deployment, complete with glove-friendly capacitive touchscreen control.
The THYMON emergency monitoring system consists of three integrated subcomponents:
- High-Precision Detector Probe: Houses a $1.5” \times 1.5”$ NaI(Tl) crystal shielded by a 1.5 cm lead collimator and coupled to a SiPM matrix with integrated Multi-Channel Analyzer (MCA) readout electronics.
- Extendable Support Structure: A multi-configuration tripod and table-top mount that ensures repeatable positioning against the thyroid to eliminate operator alignment variance.
- Ruggedized Control Tablet: An IP65-rated touchscreen unit running automated measurement algorithms, data logging, archive review, and export routines.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Detector Type | 1.5″ × 1.5″ NaI(Tl) scintillation crystal |
| Readout Electronics | SiPM-coupled compact Multi-Channel Analyzer (MCA) |
| Shielding / Collimation | 1.5 cm lead collimator |
| Target Radionuclide | Iodine-131 (I-131) |
| Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) | Typically 90 – 120 Bq (in 2-minute count) |
| Maximum Measurable Activity | > 3 MBq |
| Measurement Uncertainty | ≤ ±20% (positioning uncertainty) |
| Target Age Groups | 1 yo, 5 yo, 10 yo, 15 yo, Adult Female, Adult Male, + User Custom |
| Compliance Standard | IEC 61582 |
| Probe Weight | 3.5 kg |
| Total System Weight (with Case) | ~19 kg |
| Transport Dimensions | 62.8 × 49.2 × 22.3 cm |
| Ingress Protection (IP Rating) | IP67 (transport case closed), IP65 (operational setup) |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +50°C |
- Committed Effective Dose Calculation: Automated software calculations following ICRP 119 and ICRP 103 guidelines, enabling dose Action Levels aligned with the Triage, Monitoring, and Treatment (TMT) Handbook.
- Monte Carlo Efficiency Modeling: Custom Monte Carlo efficiency curves for specific facility demographic classes and non-standard geometries.
- Periodic Quality Control Source: Low-activity Cs-137 check source ($< 10\text{ kBq}$) for routine verification.
- Extended Service & Warranty: Extension options up to 24 months.
As an experienced Canadian instrumentation provider for health physics, civil protection, and emergency preparedness, SciWise provides complete technical integration, calibration support, and training for the ELSE Nuclear THYMON system.
