Surgical probes
SQ-1 Background
The objective of the probe is to detect activity levels statistically distinct from the background levels. This involves verifying the count rate in the absence of activity. Selecting the acquisition parameters according to the usual clinical measurement conditions.
SQ-2 Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a surgical probe mainly depends on a geometric factor (the solid angle subtended by the collimator) and an intrinsic factor (the nature of the crystal, the radiation energy, and the pulse acceptance window). It involves measuring the number of counts detected by the source under appropriate geometric conditions for a known activity.
SQ-3 Spatial and angular resolution
Spatial resolution defines the ability to distinguish two closely spaced radiation sources (e.g., the lymph node and the injection site). Angular resolution characterizes the probe's ability to measure a source based on the measurement angle.
SQ-4 Acoustic signal
Since the surgeon relies on the acoustic signal to locate the sentinel lymph node during surgery, this functionality must be monitored. The acoustic signal should enable the user to focus on the surgical field during measurements.
