Q: What is the difference between a flexible ruler and flexible marker?

A: The difference is the plastic tubing that the active elements are placed in. The flexible ruler is more like a plastic rod that will bend but can't be bent into a full circle. The flexible marker is more of a plastic "string". This source will completely wrap around an individual's neck and is the best source to use in thyroid studies. Flexible rulers are best used when doing longer straight line studies.

Q: What does the reference date on the data sheet/source certificate for a flood source signify?

A: Because we stock most of our sources we manufacture them at a nominal level of +15%. All sources have a reference date of the month after they were manufactured. Example, 10mCi flood source ordered and received in October will have a November 1 reference date, which means on 1 NOV 04 that 10mCi flood source will be 10mCi. In order to get current activity prior to 1 NOV 04, the technologist will have to do the proper decay calculations or go to isotopeproducts.com to get current activity.

Q: Can we make a 5uCi 3" rod source? In your catalog I see you have a 1uCi 3" rod source?

A: We can make almost any nuclide in any size rod at any activity. If you are buying a rod source for your Capintec or Biodex machine they recommend 100nCi and a 5" rod.

Q: I threw my box away can I get a new one?

A: Yes for a nominal fee. The cardboard box that a new source is shipped in is the same box our customers are supposed to use to return spent sources. The box has a big stamp that says DO NOT DESTROY, so please do not throw this away. Before placing an order for a cardboard box make sure to provide the model number of the source that is to be shipped back. Since we have 3 different flood source size boxes not knowing the model number may result in sending a box that is too large or too small.

Q: I don't think you have a flood source that is big enough for my camera?

A: What kind of camera do you have? This will automatically tell us which source you should purchase. If you are still uncertain, which source are you currently using? Let us know any concern you may have regarding flood source size versus "Field of View". It is true that a lot of technologists get a measuring tape or a ruler and measure the entire camera head. Cameras have what is called the "UFOV" or Useful Field Of View and that can't be measured with a ruler or tape measure. That information will be found in your camera manual or by asking your service technician. We have UFOV's for all cameras so a quick explanation on the UFOV can answer most questions.

Q: Can I get a 15mCi Co-57 vial for my dose calibrator?

A: Sure! BUT most dose calibrator's have a recommended vial activity of 5mCi or 10mCi max.

Q: I see you have sources with handles. Will the handles have any affect on how I take my floods?

A: The handles extend the source by 6" on each side. If you have a Picker Prism series camera then you CANNOT have a source with handles. Prism series cameras have source holders and a flood source with handles is too long and will NOT fit. If you have a dual head camera and you do your flood by letting one of the heads rotate around the other then IPL does not recommend handles because the head that is rotating may tip the handle and knock the source off of the still head. If you have a single head then a source with handles is fine.