Nickel
5
Mar

Overview

Nickel is a silvery, ductile transition metal valued for corrosion resistance, catalytic activity and alloying behavior.

Properties

It is ferromagnetic at room temperature, forms stable alloys and exhibits common +2 and +3 oxidation states in compounds.

Occurrence and Uses

Nickel is used in stainless steels, superalloys, electroplating, rechargeable battery cathodes and catalysts in chemical industry.

Isotopes and Safety

Stable isotopes include Ni 58, Ni 60; nickel compounds can be allergenic and some are carcinogenic, so exposure controls are required in industry.

Radiation Safety for Staff
4
Mar

Workplace Controls

Define controlled and supervised areas with access restrictions signage and engineered shielding and ensure appropriate PPE is available and used. Implement administrative controls such as rotation schedules and procedural checklists to limit cumulative occupational exposure. Maintain equipment maintenance and quality assurance to prevent unnecessary exposures.

Monitoring and Health Surveillance

Provide personal dosimetry and area monitoring and review results regularly with staff and occupational health services. Investigate dose anomalies and provide medical evaluation and counseling when thresholds are exceeded. Maintain confidential dose records and comply with regulatory reporting and worker protection requirements.

Training and Competency

Deliver initial and periodic radiation safety training tailored to job functions and include hands on practice and scenario based drills. Assess competency through observed practice and knowledge checks and provide refresher training after incidents or protocol changes. Encourage a safety culture where staff report near misses and participate in improvement activities.

Psychosocial and Ergonomic Considerations

Address stress and fatigue that can contribute to procedural errors and ensure ergonomic practices to reduce musculoskeletal injury during shielding and patient handling. Provide support resources and clear communication about risks and protections to reduce anxiety related to occupational exposure. Integrate wellbeing initiatives with safety programs to sustain workforce resilience.

European Medicines Agency
4
Mar

Overview

EMA coordinates evaluation of medicinal products including radiopharmaceuticals across EU member states.

Key Functions

Centralized marketing authorization scientific advice and pharmacovigilance.

Interaction with National Agencies

Works with national competent authorities for device and radiation matters.

Guidance and Standards

Issues guidelines for clinical trials and quality of radiopharmaceuticals.

Breast Ultrasound and Intervention
4
Mar

Overview

Practical guide to breast ultrasound scanning lesion characterization and ultrasound guided biopsy techniques.

Scanning Technique

Probe selection scanning planes and elastography use for lesion assessment are described.

Interventional Procedures

Step by step guidance for core biopsy vacuum assisted biopsy and localization techniques.

Integration with Multimodality Imaging

Correlates ultrasound findings with mammography tomosynthesis and MRI for comprehensive care.

Imaging in Sports Cardiology and Athlete Screening
4
Mar

Rationale

Sports cardiology imaging aims to identify structural heart disease and substrate for arrhythmia that could predispose athletes to sudden cardiac events. Modalities include echocardiography cardiac MRI and CT for coronary anomalies and tissue characterization. Screening balances sensitivity with minimizing false positives that can unnecessarily restrict activity.

Imaging Techniques

Cardiac MRI provides high resolution assessment of ventricular volumes fibrosis and myocarditis with late gadolinium enhancement and mapping sequences. Echocardiography with strain imaging offers accessible functional assessment and serial monitoring. CT angiography evaluates anomalous coronaries and vascular anatomy when indicated.

Risk Stratification

Combine imaging findings with ECG exercise testing and family history to stratify risk and guide clearance decisions. Use standardized reporting and multidisciplinary review with sports medicine and electrophysiology teams. Longitudinal imaging supports return to play decisions after injury or infection.

Program Design

Develop athlete screening pathways that define indications age thresholds and follow up algorithms to avoid over testing. Provide clear communication to athletes and coaches about implications of findings and management options. Collect outcome data to refine screening yield and cost effectiveness.

Syringes and Needles
4
Mar

Overview

Sterile syringes and needles are required for safe contrast delivery and medication administration.

Sizes and compatibility

Keep a range of syringe volumes and needle gauges to match protocols and patient size.

Sharps safety

Use safety engineered devices and immediate disposal in approved sharps containers to prevent injury.

Inventory and traceability

Track lot numbers and expiry dates and rotate stock to maintain sterility and compliance.

Sulfur
3
Mar

Overview

Sulfur is a brittle, yellow nonmetal that forms multiple allotropes and a wide range of compounds.

Properties

It is insoluble in water, burns to produce sulfur dioxide and forms sulfides and sulfates with many elements.

Occurrence and Uses

Found near volcanic regions and in mineral deposits, sulfur is used in fertilizers, sulfuric acid production and rubber vulcanization.

Isotopes and Safety

Stable isotopes include S 32, S 33, S 34 and S 36; sulfur dioxide is an irritant and environmental pollutant requiring emission controls.

LeMaitre Vascular
3
Mar

Overview

LeMaitre Vascular supplies vascular devices grafts and tools used in image guided vascular procedures.

Key products

Vascular grafts occlusion devices access tools and imaging compatible implants.

Strengths

Clinical focus on vascular solutions and collaboration with interventional teams.

Service and support

Offers clinical training product support and supply chain services for vascular programs.

Three M Health Care
3
Mar

Overview

Three M Health Care provides infection control products monitoring accessories and consumables used in imaging departments.

Key products

Adhesive electrodes disinfectants sterile drapes and patient positioning aids.

Strengths

Broad product range quality manufacturing and global distribution.

Service and support

Offers clinical guidance product training and supply chain support.

Livermorium
2
Mar

Overview

Livermorium is a man made element synthesized to explore the properties of superheavy nuclei and test theoretical models of nuclear stability.

Properties

Theoretical chemistry predicts chalcogen like behavior modified by relativistic effects; experimental data are extremely limited.

Occurrence and Uses

Produced only in specialized accelerator facilities for fundamental research into heavy element decay and atomic structure.

Isotopes and Safety

Livermorium isotopes are radioactive and short lived; handling requires remote manipulation, shielding and strict radiological safeguards.