RadPointer-Beta is primarily intended for use in combination with PET to localize tumour and determine resection margins in-vivo and ex-vivo. It is sensitive only to positrons, which have very short range in tissue (1-5 mm, depending on the type of positron-emitting isotope), therefore has a very thin (and relatively fragile) entrance window.
The main parts of the RadPointer-Beta are:
- Front window: very thin and relatively fragile, light- and water-proof, transparent for beta-particles.
- Probe housing: it consists of plastic handle (electronics and battery container) with back cap, which serves also as a rotation ON-OFF switch, and a stainless steel tube (detector container).