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Personal dosimetry products and services Mirion Technologies Inc. primarily used by medical personnel working on and near medical imaging equipment, but they are also used in power plants, manufacturing, waste management, mining, construction, aviation and aerospace, research laboratories, and oil and gas industries around the world to monitor occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. One such solution is the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), a complex instrument with a compound injection molded holder and device cover. Mirion saw an opportunity to simplify the case, which had to be sourced from a plastic parts manufacturer.
In addition, because the TLD case itself acts as a dosimeter by housing the internal components of the detector, the entire device must be returned for processing, a process that involves many people, said Lou Biacchi, president of Mirion’s Dosimetry Services division. Reuters MD+DI. “Old dosimeter cases are recycled and reused, and after disposal they are returned to another buyer, again through the hands of many people.”
Mirion worked with blister equipment supplier Maruho Hatsujyo Innovations (MHI) to create a simpler system. MHI provides next generation blister machine prototyping services using 3D printing technology to create test products. MHI has developed 3D prototyping tools for its EAGLE-Omni blister packer to create blister prototypes that look a lot like traditional metal tools. “This allows us to preview the design of the stent and make changes as needed, resulting in a more optimized end product,” Biacchi explained to MD+DI.
Mirion and MHI then jointly developed a new plastic blister pack to securely house the dosimeter’s internal components and detectors in a more efficient and effective manner. Byacchi told MD+DI: “Through this collaboration, we have been able to simplify the manufacturing process and materials, resulting in recycled materials – PET bottom liners and thinner PET top liners – being more sustainable than planned. Storage has also been simplified because now we only need to store rolls of material instead of a few hard, bulky physical components.”
Byakki, the outer housing of the dosimeter has also been redesigned to reduce the need for multi-piece injection molded brackets and eliminate the need to clean the device after each use. “Redesign the dosimeter’s outer casing by eliminating the hard case and replacing it with a plastic blister pack that will contain the dosimeter’s internal components and detectors, which are the brains and guts of the dosimeter itself, providing improved security, new features, recycling and manufacturing efficiency.” The dosimeter device itself, its technical components have not changed.
“According to the contract, the new TLD-BP dosimeter requires the owner to return only the blister pack (front) containing the internal components, while carrying the back of the dosimeter with stand/clip. All blister packs are then removed and replaced (securely sealed in the inner detector unit) so that the user gets a brand new, brand new blister pack.Therefore, there is no need to return the back bracket/clip and return a fresh new sealed blister pack, greatly reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
For the production of new blister packs, Mirion has installed an MHI EAGLE-Omni blister machine at its manufacturing facility. Deep Drawing Eagle-OMNI offers manual prototyping for fully automated operations, performing forming, sealing and stamping operations in continuous stations. It can be used with a variety of mold materials including PVC, PVDC, ACLAR, PP, PET and aluminum, as well as cap substrates such as aluminum, paper, PVC, PET and laminate.
The new design of the TLD satisfied the needs of the users. “In addition to the protection and manufacturing benefits mentioned above, ease of use is a key benefit for users as the new stand simply snaps into a clip and can be worn on a belt or anywhere else,” Byakki told MD+DI. “In terms of user needs, the new dosimeter meets the same needs as its predecessors; however, where this new TLD-BP dosimeter really shines is in meeting a previously unmet need, which is here. The new user benefits conveyed by this innovative new design are evident. “Users benefit from” always receiving a new, fresh blister pack, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination associated with receiving dosimeters for recycling/reuse and reduces postage (badge shipping to/from disposal), this is achieved by no need to return/send the holder/clip together with the blister pack. ”
Mirion conducted internal beta/prototype testing as well as acceptance testing (UAT) of the new blister pack.