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Determining Irradiation Time
Before performing an irradiation, you obviously need
to first determine how long to irradiate, which
corresponds to what level inside the irradiator
chamber you will be placing the specimens. So what
do we mean by levels?
If you open the door and look inside the irradiation
chamber of the RS-2000 you will see various levels
indicated along each side. Although you can't see it,
because the RAD+ reflector is covering it, the bottom
level is labeled "1". The levels increase in number as
you go up higher in the chamber (although not
labeled, the level above 5 is level 6).
Because the x-ray tube is located above the chamber
in the RS-2000, the higher numbered levels correspond to higher dose rates
(& shorter irradiation times).
Animals:
Small animals must be placed in a CLEAN filtered cage and are
typically irradiated on Level 1 (i.e., within the black RAD+ reflective chamber
on the floor of the chamber).
• Place no more than 5 mice in a CLEAN cage
• Remove food and water from the cage, if you have excess bedding
remove that as well (using a new cage will alleviate that problem)
• There is a hood located in the room and all SPF protocols should be
followed.
• You will need to prepare new hand dipping solution (bleach water) and
spray. The rooms on either side of the X-ray room have a water source
to prepare your solutions.
• If you choose to not place your animals in a new cage, there is an empty
cage in the room. Line the bottom of the cage with a few paper towels
and place your mice in that cage and irradiate. Once finished with your
irradiation that cage MUST be decontaminated for a minimum of 10
minutes with bleach water.
• The room, X-ray and hood should all be clean and free of bedding.
Please see posted SOP on the hood.
• All mice strains should be split-dosed to avoid low grade burns.
Levels inside the Chamber
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