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Barracuda X-ray Multimeter
The
Barracuda is an "all-in-one" X-ray multimeter for all
type of X-ray systems. It is the most versatile device available
and it has set the standard for the latest generation of X-ray multimeters
using solid-state technology. The Barracuda is accurate and easy
to use. By automatically analyse the beam quality, the Barracuda
can compensate measured values and directly display accurate results.
The Barracuda is small and compact, the setup time is short, and
it is easily transported in its carrying case.
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All-In-One
 The
Barracuda is available in various configurations to meet different
needs andrequirements. It doesn't matter if you need something
for just radiography or you need something that can do "everything",
there is always a suitable Barracuda.
The
Barracuda is truly an "all-in-one" device:
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- kVp, time,
dose, dose rate, pulses, pulse rate, dose/pulse, mA, mAs, HVL,
total filtration and waveforms — All-In-One exposure
- Radiography,
fluoroscopy, mammography, dental, panoramic dental (OPG) and CT
— All-in-one device
- Work in the
"new" way - use solid-state, automatic compensation
gives you accurate results
- or -
Work in the "traditional" way - use ionization chambers.
Your existing ionization chambers can be connected to Barracuda
— All-in-one device
Automatic
compensation
 Dose
and kVp measurements are very accurate due to the automatic compensation
feature. The Barracuda analyses the beam quality for each exposure
and applies necessary corrections before presenting the measured
values. No need for correction graphs, correction factors or different
look-up tables gives maximal ease-of-use.
Extremely
sensitive
Many
of today's X-ray system are using lower and lower doses to minimize
radiation exposure to patients. Many QA devices are therefore not
able to measure over the entire range of kVp and mA. The Barracuda
detector is extremely sensitive and designed to measure even when
the output from X-ray generator is very low. Minimum output for
kV measurement is 0.025 mA, 45 kV at 50 cm.
Pulsed
fluoroscopy
More
and more X-ray systems with pulsed fluoroscopy are used. The Barracuda
is designed to make it quick and easy to measure on such systems.
The Barracuda analyzes the waveform automatically — pulse
rate and dose/pulse are measured without any action from the user.
Built-in
position check
If
a non-invasive detector is tilted or incorrectly irradiated; measured
values will be incorrect. The Barracuda has a unique feature —
a detector position check — to help you to get more accurate
and reproducible results. This is feature is especially important
when measuring on CT, panoramic dental (OPG) and in other situations
when it is difficult to position the detector. The position check
makes it possible to verify, and if necessary adjust, the position
of the Barracuda detector before starting the measurement. If the
position is incorrect you will be asked to re-position the Barracuda
detector. For smaller misalignments, a correction is automatically
applied, and you can start the measurement.
Use
of ionization chambers and other probes
The
possibility to add electrometer functionality to the Barracuda allows
the use of additional probes such as mAs probes, light detectors,
CT probes and different ionization chambers. This further increases
the range of applications the Barracuda can be used for and emphasis
that it is truly an "All-In-One" device. If you prefer
the traditional ionization chambers or if you want to have the possibility
sometimes to "check with your own references" the Barracuda
has everything you need. Almost all type of ionization chambers
can be adapted and used with the Barracuda.
Powerful
user-interface
A
graphical display with the power of a handheld computer is used
to present measured data, waveforms and other information in
a clear and user-friendliness way. The Barracuda is easily controlled
via the user-interface with the touch-sensitive display. |
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QA
software for PC
The
Barracuda can also be used with a PC, the QA software oRTIgo makes
it possible to acquire, store and analyze measured data and waveforms.
The oRTIgo software has predefined templates for all common tests
used in standard QA. Based on the stored information about measuring
conditions (generator set values, meter settings and other information)
the Barracuda is prepared automatically for each exposure. Data
are collected and stored quickly and reports can be created and
printed instantly.
Wireless
with Bluetooth
The
Barracuda communicates wireless with Bluetooth. This minimizes the
setup time and makes it very convenient when working with the Barracuda.
No long cables, no more to step and stumble on or squeeze in doors.
To use Barracuda with Bluetooth an optional USB adapter is required
for the Barracuda.
For devices
not supporting Bluetooth are RS232 and USB also available.
Prepared
for the future
 The
Barracuda is a modular system. The cabinet can house up to six
different modules, measuring independently of each other. The
X-ray technology evolves rapidly and nobody can foresee what
will be required from a measuring device in the future. We do
not guarantee that the Barracuda already has "tomorrow's
technology" but will provide it when required. The Barracuda
has a place for it, allowing you to get new measuring capability
in a very cost-effective way. |
Free
upgrades
New
features are continuously added based on feedback from existing
users. The new features are released and made available to all existing
users. The updates are available free of charge on our website and
are easily downloaded to the Barracuda.
For
More Information
Specifications
General
The
specifications below are valid for a typical Barracuda system.
Note that the Barracuda is a modular design and can be purchased
in many different configurations.
Barracuda
Cabinet
The
cabinet can house up to six different application modules.
PC communication via Bluetooth, USB, or RS232. Handheld
computer communication via Bluetooth or RS232.
Multi-Purpose
Detector with Signal Extension Module
The
Multi-Purpose Detector measures kVp, time, pulses, dose,
dose rate, dose per pulse, pulse rate, HVL, total filtration
and waveforms. Calibrations are available for radiography,
mammography, and CT. The radiography calibrations also include
fluoroscopy, dental and panoramic dental. The mammography
calibrations include target/filter combinations Mo/Mo, Mo/Rh,
Mo/Al, Rh/Rh, Rh/Al, W/Rh and W/Al.
| Parameter |
Range |
Inaccuracy |
| kVp
M |
20
- 49 kV |
±1.5
% or ±0.7 kV |
| kVp
R/F, D |
35
- 155 kV |
±1.5
% |
| kVp
CT |
75
- 150 kV |
±1.5
% |
| Irradiation
time |
0.1
ms - 2000 s
0 - 65535 pulses |
±1
% or 0.5 ms
±1 pulse |
| Dose |
0.1
µGy - >100 kGy
11 µR - >1100 kR
|
±5
% |
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Dose
rate
|
0.2µGy/s
- 350 mGy/s
12 µR/s - 36 R/s
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±5
% or ±0.02 µGy/s
±5 % or ±0.14 mR/min
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| Total
filtration |
1.5
- 38 mm Al equiv. |
±10
% or 0.3 mm
(60 - 120 kV, HF/DC) |
| Qick
HVL |
1.2
- 14 mm Al equiv. |
±10
% or 0.2 mm |
Electrometer
Module
The
electrometer module measures current, charge, and exposure
time from the attached detector. The electrometer module
accepts many existing RTI detectors and probes such as
R100, R100B, mAs probes, light detector, CT probes as
well as ionization chambers from other manufactures. Different
models of electrometer modules are available; single channel
with or without bias, twin channel without bias and a
1 channel wide-range with bias.
| Parameter |
Range
1) |
Inaccuracy |
| Charge |
50
fC - >100 mC |
±1
% or ±12.5 fC
±0.5 % above 100 pC |
Current
(wide-range) |
2
pA - 10 µA
-2 pA - -4.8 µA
40 fA - 10 µA |
±1
% or ±0.5 pA
±0.5 % above 100 pA
±1 % or ±4 fA
±0.5 % above 100 pA |
| Irrad.
time |
0.1
ms - 34000 s
1 - 65535 pulses |
±1
% or ±0.5 ms
±1 pulse |
| Bias |
±300
V |
+20/-10
V |
R100B
Dose Detector
The
R100B dose detector measures dose and dose rate when connected
to an electrometer module.
| Parameter |
Range
1) |
Inaccuracy |
| Dose |
0.10
nGy - >100 kGy
0.012 µR - >1100 kR
|
±5
% |
| Dose
rate |
1.0
nGy/s - 76 mGy/s
0.1 µR/s - 8.7 R/s |
±5
% or ±0.25 nGy/s
±5 % or ±0.025 µR/s |
1)
The ranges specified is valid for a combination of modules.
Display
Unit
The
Barracuda requires either a handheld Palm compatible computer
or a PC for a display device. The handheld uses the RTI
QABrowser for simplicity and presentation of data. With
PC, oRTIgo 2002 QA software is used for acquiring, storing
of data and reporting. Waveforms can be measured both when
using handheld computer and PC.
| Handheld
computer requirements |
Palm
OS v3.5 or higher, 8 MB memory and connector compatible
with Palm Tungsten T, T2,T3, m500, m505, and m515 |
| Recommended
model |
Tungsten
T3 |
| Interface |
Wireless
Bluetooth, RS232 |
| PC
requirements |
Windows
95, NT, 98, Me, 2000 or XP |
| Interface |
Wireless
Bluetooth, RS232 or USB |
Optional
probes and detectors
A
wide range of optional probes and detectors can be used
with the Barracuda. The following list gives measuring
ranges for different probes/detectors when used with Barracuda.
| Probe/Detector |
Range
1) |
| Invasive
mAs probe, MAS-1 |
0.1
- 3000 mA, 0.001 mAs - 9999 mAs |
| Non-invasive
mAs probe, MAS-2 |
10
- 4000 mA, 0.1 mAs - 9999 mAs |
| Non-invasive
mAs probe, MAS-3 |
0.1
- 2000 mA, 0.01 mAs - 9999 mAs |
| Light
detector, L100 |
0.03
- 72000 cd/m2
0.01 - 24000 lx |
| CT
ionization chamber |
4
µGycm - 35 MGycm
160 µGycm/s - 7 kGycm/s
1.2 Rcm/min - 34 MRcm/min |
| Ionization
chamber, Magna 1 cc |
5
µGy/s - 250 Gy/s
30 mR/min - 1500 kR/min |
1)
The ranges specified is valid for a combination of modules.
Other
ionization chambers can be used with Barracuda. Adapter
cables may be required.
Cases, HVL stand, HVL filters, dental panoramic holder,
and adapter cables for ionization chambers with triaxial
BNT and TNT connectors.
Physical
Specifications
Cabinet
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Weight
Size |
approx. 1000 g
155 x 135 x 62 mm
6.1" x 5.3" x 2.4" |
| Multi-Purpose
Detector |
Weight
Size |
appr. 250 g
122 x 55 x 14 mm
4.8" x 2.1" x 0.55" |
| Power |
6
power alkaline batteries type LR6 or rechargeable
NiMH (size AA), or an external power supply |
| Operation
time |
Typically
5-6 h with NiMH (2100 mAh) |
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