Probe and collimator for quick releasable mounting thereon

Abstract

A probe and collimator to be releasably secured thereto for use in detecting, localizing, and mapping or imaging radiation emanating from a hidden source, such as within the body of a living being. The probe comprises a small body arranged to be readily held in one's hand and a radiation detector located within the body. The probe's body includes a window located at its distal end over the detector. The collimator comprises a cylindrical member adapted to be snap-fit onto the distal end of the probe body to reduce the solid angle of acceptance of radiation entering the window to a predetermined value less than that if the collimator was not in place on the probe. The collimator includes a central bore having an air vent and at least one recess extending about the inner periphery thereof and in which is located a resilient locking member, e.g., an O-ring. The body at the distal end of the probe includes at least one recess extending about the outer periphery thereof and into which the locking member is snap-fit to releasably secure the collimator to the probe. The air vent enables air to vent from the interior of the collimator to facilitate the mounting of it to the probe.