(University of Manchester)

Available in Windows and Web/Intranet Versions ISBN: 1 84211 027 6

Programmed by : Deborah Allon
Subject Specialist : Larry Gifford

The package provides all the necessary knowledge required for undergraduate and postgraduate students to be able to handle radioisotopes, both for laboratory work, and in the hospital dispensary.

[Screenshot]
A Screen from the Radioactivity and Radiopharmacy package
Contents

The radiopharmacy and radiochemistry package consists of fourteen activities which are divided into two subjects:

  1. Fundamentals of Radioactivity
    • Radiation Types and Properties
    • Half-life Calculations
    • Biological Effects of Radiation
    • Dose Limits
    • Contamination Monitoring
    • Radiation Protection
    • Safe Working Methods
  2. Applications of Radiopharmaceuticals in Medicine
    • Use of Radiopharmaceuticals
    • Properties of Ideal Label
    • Use of 99m Tc Generator
    • Use of Radiopharmaceutical Kit
    • Radiopharmacy Suites
    • Daily Operations in a Radiopharmacy
    • Quality Control and Radiopharmaceuticals


The first section of the package covers the basic theory of radioactivity, including the types of radioactivity and their differences, and how to calculate half-life etc. The first section on the fundamentals of radioactivity provides a background that enables the user to understand the second section which covers applications of radiopharmaceuticals in medicine.

From the first section the user will learn how to calculate half-lives; dose limits; what the biological effects of radiation are and therefore how to protect themselves in a radiopharmacy and work safely. In the second section the user learns potential areas where radiopharmaceuticals might be used; how to dispense radiopharmaceuticals such as technetium using a radionuclide generator and radiopharmaceutical kits; how to calculate doses and activity of radiopharmaceuticals administered; how a typical radiopharmacy suite is organised and its daily operations and quality control procedures.


Hardware and Software Requirements

Windows Version
 The package is supplied on a CD-ROM Installation Disc and can be installed to a local hard disc or network drive. The minimum requirement is a PC with 100MHz Pentium processor , 8Mb of RAM and a VGA monitor capable of displaying 16-bit color (65, 536 colors) at 640 x 480 resolution. The program is 32-bit and is compatible with Windows 95, 98 and NT.
Web Version
The package is supplied on a CD-ROM Installation Disc for installation to a web server. The software runs on PC clients only. The minimum requirement is a 200MHz Pentium processor with 32Mb of RAM and a Super VGA monitor capable of displaying 16-bit color (65,536 colors) at 800 x 600 resolution. The program is compatible with both Netscape Navigator 4.x and Internet Explorer 4 or better and requires Java and Javascript to be enabled on browsers.