#USA #Chelmsford #VPT Rad #Foss Therapy #Model 812

VPT Rad Expands Capabilities with New Foss Therapy Model 812

VPT Rad, a well-established provider of radiation testing services and a sister company to VPT, Inc., has recently made a significant advancement in its operational capabilities. The latest addition to their portfolio is the Foss Therapy Model 812, which has been designed to greatly enhance their high-dose-rate (HDR) testing and gamma sterilization services aimed at various industries, including aerospace, defense, commercial applications, and healthcare.

New Testing Capabilities

The Model 812 brings with it impressive specifications that are set to transform the testing landscape for VPT Rad. With three source tubes capable of holding a maximum of 7,500 curies of Cobalt-60 per tube—totalling 22,500 curies—the Model 812 boasts a substantial dose rate of 2.4 Mrad/hour (equivalent to 23,500 Gy/hour). This is more than three times the dose rate provided by the previous GC220 irradiator, which places VPT Rad at a competitive advantage in the industry.

Besides the impressive dose rate, the Model 812 features a sample chamber with dimensions of 8 inches by 12 inches, which effectively triples the sample volume compared to its predecessor. This adjustment opens the door for the handling of larger samples, which is a critical requirement in many testing and sterilization scenarios.

Versatility and Efficiency

One of the standout features of the Model 812 is its tunable dose rate, achieving flexibility in testing by varying the number of active Cobalt-60 tubes. This ensures that the testing process aligns with the payload and dose rate requirements of each unique customer mission, allowing for individualized testing protocols that can lead to more accurate and relevant results.

In terms of gamma sterilization, the high maximum dose rate not only allows swift reaching of sterilization doses but also shortens turnaround times for customer samples. The device is fitted with an in-chamber rotating turntable that rotates at a speed of 12 RPM. This innovative feature ensures that samples are uniformly exposed, enhancing the reliability of results. This combined with their current use of NIST traceable alanine pellets ensures extremely low uncertainty in dose delivery across samples.

Meeting Industry Needs

President of VPT Rad, Aridio Sanchez, expressed excitement about the introduction of the Model 812, stating, “This development significantly ramps up our HDR facility's capacity for compliance with MIL-STD-883 qualifications. There is a pressing need in the sterilization community for larger chambers and faster dose rates, and this model addresses these gaps effectively.” Sanchez further emphasized that the new system could achieve sterilization doses in under two hours, which is a game-changer for operational efficiency.

In addition to launching the Model 812, VPT Rad is enhancing its existing JLS 81-22 room irradiator, which will further elevate the dose rate of its ELDRS (Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity) chamber close to 10 mrad/second. While the increase may appear modest, the difference of going from approximately 7 mrad/second to 10 mrad/second can cut long exposure periods by up to 30%, turning a 100 Krad ELDRS exposure duration from 164 days to 114 days. This improvement stands to drastically reduce lead times for ELDRS projects.

Key Technical Attributes of the Foss Therapy Model 812

• - Maximum Dose Rate: 2.4 Mrad/hour (23,500 Gy/hour)
• - Maximum Sample Size: 8 inches x 12 inches (20cm x 30cm)
• - In-Chamber Turntable Speed: 12 RPM
• - Tunable Dose Rates: Enabled by 3 Cobalt-60 source tubes

About VPT Rad

VPT Radiation Laboratory and Test Services (VPT Rad) is situated just 20 miles north of Boston in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The facility specializes in creating tailored environments and testing solutions for electronics deployed in sectors susceptible to ionizing radiation, particularly prevalent in aerospace and nuclear applications. With its state-of-the-art testing facility and equipment, VPT Rad is poised to provide advanced solutions to meet the evolving demands of its clientele across diverse fields.