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"Electron Beam Technology"
Group,
WRT electron beam sterilization, I assume the beam is in an x-ray tube?
Electron Beams will not travel far in air. I suppose medical material such
as sutures, needles and other equipment could be sterilized with an e-beam
in vacuum. But besides that question, [is the beam in an x-ray tube?] I
saw an article in today's Denver Rocky Mt. News on Rapid CT Scanning for
coronary artery disease.
The article repeatedly referred to the unit as an electron beam device. In
a description deep in the article it mentioned a tungsten target, sounds
like an x-ray tube to me! so I am reasonably certain that they too felt it
good marketing to waltz around the truth rather than state it.
Gist of the article, for those interested was that some non-cardiologist MDs
seem to be promoting it's use as a screening tool. Cardiologists are
skeptical, partly a turf issue possibly, but also they do not see it as
something that should be recommended for a class of people, as say over 50,
although it may have a place in the spectrum of diagnostic tests. There
are supposedly 65 units in the US and they reportedly cost about ~ $1.6M
The scans reportedly detect build up of plaque in arteries, which is the
hallmark of coronary artery disease. The scan is apparently the only thing
that will do that directly except for the invasive and somewhat risky
cardiac cathoritization. The scan has the potential to detect build up
early but it is much less clear whether that is going to be as useful as
early detection is for cancer. The cardiologists see a place for it as
possibly a screening prior to cardiac cath, cheaper, less invasive less
risk.
Any opinions expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily represent those
of the Denver VA Medical Center, The Department of Veterans Affairs, or the
U.S. Government.
Peter G. Vernig
Radiation Safety Officer, VA Medical Center, 1055 Clermont St. Denver, CO
80220, ATTN; RSO MS 115
303-399-8020 ext. 2447, peter.vernig@med.va.gov [alternate
vernig.peter@forum.va.gov] Fax 303-393-5026 [8 - 4:30 MT service] Alternate
Fax 303-377-5686
"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is found to be
excellent or praiseworthy, let your mind dwell on these things." Paul
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