US4315151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Detecting phase separation in liquid scintillation samples
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
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Filing: 1980-07-07
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Granted: 1982-02-09
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Expires: 2000-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Method for testing a liquid scintillation sample to determine whether it is separated into different phases. Scintillations emitted by the sample in response to radiation from an external radiation source are analyzed. If the distribution of the intensities of the scintillations has a characteristic indicating it is the superposition of the intensity distributions of scintillations emitted by two or more distinct phases, then the sample is adjudged to be separated into different phases.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Horrocks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of determining whether a liquid scintillation sample is separated into different phases, comprising the steps of: irradiating the sample with gamma rays from a radiation source to produce energetic electrons in the sample by Compton scattering and thereby cause the sample to emit successive scintillations, each scintillation being caused by a transfer of energy from one of the Compton-scattered electrons and having an intensity corresponding to the amount of energy so transferred; measuring the relative numbers of scintillations emitted in response to the gamma rays having intensities distributed within each of a plurality of ranges of intensities; and determining from said distribution of intensities whether the sample is separated into different phases.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of determining whether a liquid scintillation sample is separated into different phases, comprising the steps of: irradiating the sample with gamma rays from a radiation source to produce energetic electrons in the sample by Compton scattering and thereby cause the sample to emit successive scintillations, each scintillation being caused by a transfer of energy from one of the Compton-scattered electrons and having an intensity corresponding to the amount of energy so transferred; measuring the relative numbers of scintillations emitted in response to the gamma rays having intensities distributed within each of a plurality of ranges of intensities; and determining from said distribution of intensities whether the sample is separated into different phases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the sample is separated comprises measuring a characteristic of the distribution of intensities; and determining that the sample is separated into different phases if the characteristic indicates the intensity distribution is the superposition of the intensity distributions of scintillations emitted by two or more distinct phases within the sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the gamma rays are mono-energetic; and the step of determining whether the sample is separated comprises determining that the sample is separated into different phases if the distribution of intensities has at least two Compton edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of: identifying each Compton edge characteristic in the intensity distribution; counting the number of Compton edges in the intensity distribution; and determining that each Compton edge corresponds to a distinct phase into which the sample is separated and that the number of phases into which the sample is separated equals said number of Compton edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: determining the value of a parameter which approximates the value of the intensity at which one of the Compton edges appears in the intensity distribution; and determining from the parameter value the degree of quench characterizing the distinct phase corresponding to said one Compton edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: measuring the relative height of each Compton edge; and determining that the relative volume of the distinct phase corresponding to each Compton edge is proportional to the relative height of that Compton edge.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of determining whether a liquid scintillation sample is separated into different phases, comprising the steps of: irradiating the sample with gamma rays from a radiation source to produce energetic electrons in the sample by Compton scattering and thereby cause the sample to emit successive scintillations, each scintillation being caused by a transfer of energy from one of the Compton-scattered electrons and having an intensity corresponding to the amount of energy so transferred, and substantially all of the scintillations having intensities below an upper intensity level corresponding to a Compton edge, the upper intensity level being indicative of the degree of quench in the sample; measuring a parameter of the successive scintillations emitted in response to the gamma rays, the paramter being approximately equal to the Compton edge upper intensity level; measuring the average intensity of the successive scintillations emitted in response to the gamma rays; and determining that the sample is separated into two or more phases if, according to a predetermined comparison criterion, the average intensity is sufficiently less than the measured parameter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of determining whether a liquid scintillation sample is separated into different phases, comprising the steps of: irradiating the sample with gamma rays from a radiation source to produce energetic electrons in the sample by Compton scattering and thereby cause the sample to emit successive scintillations, each scintillation being caused by a transfer of energy from one of the Compton-scattered electrons and having an intensity corresponding to the amount of energy so transferred, and substantially all of the scintillations having intensities below an upper intensity level corresponding to a Compton edge, the upper intensity level being indicative of the degree of quench in the sample; measuring a parameter of the successive scintillations emitted in response to the gamma rays, the paramter being approximately equal to the Compton edge upper intensity level; measuring the average intensity of the successive scintillations emitted in response to the gamma rays; and determining that the sample is separated into two or more phases if, according to a predetermined comparison criterion, the average intensity is sufficiently less than the measured parameter.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of determining whether a liquid scintillation sample is separated into different phases, comprising the steps of: irradiating the sample to cause it to emit successive scintillations having different intensities, substantially all of the scintillations having intensities below an upper intensity level, the upper level being indicative of the degree of quench in the sample; measuring a parameter of the succession of scintillations emitted in response to the radiation, the parameter being approximately equal to said upper intensity level; measuring the average intensity of the succession of scintillations emitted in response to the radiation; and determining that the sample is separated into two or more phases if, according to a predetermined comparison criterion, the average intensity of the scintillations is sufficiently less than the measured parameter.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of determining whether a liquid scintillation sample is separated into different phases, comprising the steps of: irradiating the sample to cause it to emit successive scintillations having different intensities, substantially all of the scintillations having intensities below an upper intensity level, the upper level being indicative of the degree of quench in the sample; measuring a parameter of the succession of scintillations emitted in response to the radiation, the parameter being approximately equal to said upper intensity level; measuring the average intensity of the succession of scintillations emitted in response to the radiation; and determining that the sample is separated into two or more phases if, according to a predetermined comparison criterion, the average intensity of the scintillations is sufficiently less than the measured parameter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-02-08 | 1985-08-10 | 1986-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-08 | 1989-08-10 | 1990-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-08 | 1993-08-10 | 1994-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |