- PET/CT sources are required for daily on-site PET/CT system calibration and quality control. Sources help in producing artifact-free images for preclinical, clinical, and R&D institutions.
- 68Ge is the standard PET/CT source for all Siemens Healthineers PET/CT systems. 68Ge sources have a half-life of 271 days because the radioactive isotope decays and becomes weaker, causing time increase for calibration and quality control. Due to the half-life of the isotope, Siemens Healthineers recommends a 12-month replacement cycle for optimal performance.
- Siemens Healthineers introduces a solution that automatically runs the daily and weekly calibration procedures during scanner off hours (e.g. overnight) using the background radiation from the LSO (Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate) crystals utilized in the detectors.
QualityGuard eliminates the need to use the uniform phantom in 98% of the instances. A full setup is required every three months, if the PET/CT gantry is powered off, and as part of certain service/maintenance procedures. The uniform phantom is still required onsite to be used for full setup procedures.
By automatically running QC overnight, QualityGuard:- saves about 30 minutes per day
- reduces staff exposure to radiation from the source by 98%
- eliminates a tedious daily routine task
When the order for the replacement source is placed, a new license file for QualityGuard will be generated.
If you are interested in getting more information or purchasing QualityGuard, please contact your local Siemens Healthineers representative or local Customer Care Center (CCC). - Contact your local Siemens Healthineers representative or local Customer Care Center (CCC) for more information.
- We recommend you initiate the PET/CT sources replacement process when your current sources are between nine and eleven months old, to allow enough time to get the new phantoms to your site, at the right time. The lead time is approximately six weeks. After the documentation is provided, manufacturing of your source begins which takes approximately three to four weeks; shipping usually takes approximately two weeks.
In order to make the ordering process simpler, each PET/CT source replacement kit includes the phantom and line sources. Part numbers for individual phantoms and line sources are also available. The following items are included in each PET/CT source replacement kit:
- cylindrical phantom for daily quality control (2D and 3D normalization)
- rod/Line sources for alignment of the PET and CT, attenuation correction, and detector setup
- aliquot for cross-calibration (needs to be ordered, but is free of charge)
Contact your local Siemens Healthineers representative if you are interested in getting more information on purchasing a PET/CT sources replacement kit.
- To place a PET/CT sources replacement order, you must provide the following regulatory documents:
- copy of the site Radioactive Materials (RAM) license
- RAM license translation form
- international end user statement for customers outside of the U.S.
- import license (if applicable)
- The regulatory documents are required as a safeguard for both Siemens Healthineers and our customers. The regulatory documents are needed to ensure compliance to regulatory requirements related to the shipment and receipt of our 68Ge sources. The manufacturing process cannot begin until all the regulatory documentation is received.
- Please click below to access the following:
RAM License Translation Form
International End User Statement (for customers outside of the U.S.) - Yes, if PET/CT source replacement is included in your service contract, you must provide the following regulatory documents at each replacement cycle:
- copy of the Radioactive Materials (RAM) license, and import license (if applicable)
International End User Statement (for customers outside of the U.S.) - If you need assistance to complete the regulatory documentation, please contact your local Customer Care Center.
To ensure the safety of users, the public and the environment, regulations impose the control of conditions of production, possession, use, transfer and recycling of the sources. Any holder of expired or end of use sealed sources is obliged to take them back, whatever their state, by an authorized supplier.
Siemens Healthineers is an authorized supplier and offers full disposal assistance of the decayed PET/CT sources. Contact your local Siemens Healthineers representative if you are interested in getting more information disposal assistance of the decayed PET/CT sources.- For the disposal of the decayed PET/CT sources, Siemens Healthineers will cover costs and make arrangements for:
- customs clearance
- transfer from Atlanta airport (USA) to factory
- proper sources disposal
- The PET/CT sources warranty covers any defects in material or manufacturing under normal use. Extenuating conditions, malfunctions, negligence (ex. drops), damages and other non-manufacturing related defects are not covered in the warranty.
In case of any issue with your PET/CT sources, please contact your Siemens Healthineers Customer Care Center (CCC). - Unlike the PET source, Siemens Healthineers does not manufacture the sources used for SPECT and SPECT/CT systems. Replacement sources for all SPECT and SPECT/CT systems are the responsibility of the customer with guidance from their local Siemens Healthineers’ organization. We recommend ordering SPECT sources directly from Eckert & Ziegler (preferred vendor). Depending on the specific source, a 12 or 24 month replacement cycle is necessary.
Contact your local Siemens Healthineers representative if you are interested in getting more information on purchasing a SPECT replacement source. - Used SPECT sources should be disposed of with the manufacturer or a local radioactive material recycle company.
Contact your local Siemens Healthineers representative if you are interested in ordering or getting more information on PET/CT sources replacements.
