Re: Pu-238 Pacemakers

[swjones@lanl.gov (Sherry W. Jones)]

That should have been 238Pu and 239Pu   Sorry!!!



Hundards of pacemaker were manufactured in the US using 239Pu, I do not
think 238Pu pacemake are manufactured in the US any longer.  There are
several sites that are trying to get rid of them.   In most cases the
sources go back to the site that sold them, after being explanted.  In a
few cases the people were "put to rest" with the pacers still inplanted and
a few people have let the country.  They average about .18grams (11Ci =
1grams Pu238) per pacemaker.  

********************************
Sherry W. Jones
Los Alamos National Laboratory
(505) 665-2712
(505) 665-8997 FAX
swjones@lanl.gov
********************************



>        I believe that Pu-238 was being considered as a power source for 
>an entire artificial heart, not just a pacemaker. I would think it would 
>be a very expensive over-kill to use it for a pacemaker. I believe the 
>artificial heart program is dead except for a temporary device while 
>waiting for a transplant. 
>
>Bernard L. Cohen
>Physics Dept.
>University of Pittsburgh
>Pittsburgh, PA 15260
>Tel: (412)624-9245
>Fax: (412)624-9163
>e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu
>
>
>On Mon, 4 Mar 1996, Albert Lee Vest wrote:
>
>> I'm asking this on behalf of a (HP) non-subscriber.  Please respond to me
>> directly.
>> 
>> Are heart pacemakers powered by Pu-238 still manufactured in the U.S.?
>> Whether they are or not - are the in use in the U.S.?
>> When they were/(are) in use - How much Pu-238 is in a pacer unit?
>> 
>> Thanks in advance, as usual.
>> 
>> Albert Lee Vest           The Ohio State University
>> Health Physicist    Room 103 1314 Kinnear Road Bldg
>> (614)292-1284                     1314 Kinnear Road
>> avest@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu   Columbus OH 43212
>> My employer did not review or approve this message.
>>