Nordion GC40 animal irradiator

描述（由申请人提供）：我们正在申请资金从Nordion购买新的Gammacell-40 （GC40）动物辐照器。GC40是一个137Cs辐照器，中心剂量率约为110 rad/min，一个可容纳20只老鼠的腔室，一个安静的连续空气供应，一个独立的备用计时器，一个备用电池电源和用于监测辐照参数和源位置的冗余系统。GC40还具有安全功能，包括操作员识别和访问代码，以及控制触摸板操作的物理钥匙。该仪器将取代我们旧的GC40动物辐照器，GC40已经使用了20年，厂家已经不再全力支持。事实上，零件不再为我们的GC40制造，任何修理都需要零件从退役的仪器中清除（如果有的话）或从头开始建造。因此，很明显，这台仪器的使用寿命已接近尾声，应该更换了。由于动物辐照器是研究所众多研究项目的重要组成部分，因此更换动物辐照器现在是研究所的最高优先事项之一。所要求的仪器比旧仪器有几个优点。首先，所要求的仪器为辐照室提供连续和安静的空气供应，而不是嘈杂的空气压缩机，因为空气压缩机会吓到老鼠，使它们变得非常激动。其次，所要求的仪器有一个电子计时器和一个备用计时器，而不是一个在辐照期间经常失效的喜怒无常的机械计时器。第三，在被请求的仪器上有备用电池，但不是旧的，如果电源故障，它可以运行整个仪器。第四，虽然旧仪器只需要一把钥匙就可以操作，但新仪器需要一把钥匙以及电子用户名和密码，从而提供额外的安全性并允许对其使用进行监控。最后，由于所要求的仪器目前正在由Nordion生产，我们将能够获得服务合同，如果出现问题，我们将能够获得替换零件。因此，新仪器相对于旧仪器的主要优点是新仪器提供可靠、安全、易于保存记录和最新的部件和服务。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We are requesting funds to purchase a new Gammacell-40 (GC40) animal irradiator from Nordion. The GC40 is a 137Cs irradiator with a central dose rate of about 110 rad/min, a chamber that holds 20 mice, a quiet continuous air supply, an independent backup timer, a backup battery power source and redundant systems for monitoring the irradiation parameters and position of sources. The GC40 also has security features, including operator identification and access codes as well as a physical key that controls the operation of the touchpad. This instrument will replace our old GC40 animal irradiator, which is 20 years old and no longer fully supported by the manufacturer. In fact, parts are no longer made for our GC40 and any repairs require parts to be scavenged from retired instruments (if available) or built from scratch. Thus, it is clear that the useful life of this instrument is near the end and that it should be replaced. Since the animal irradiator is an important and essential part of numerous research programs at the Institute, the replacement of the animal irradiator is now one of the Institute's highest priorities. The requested instrument has several advantages over the old instrument. First, the requested instrument has a continuous and quiet air supply for the irradiation chamber, rather than a noisy air compressor that frightens the mice and causes them to become very agitated. Second, the requested instrument has an electronic timer as well as a backup timer, rather than a temperamental mechanical timer that often fails during irradiation. Third, there is a battery backup on the requested instrument, but not the old one, that can run the entire instrument if the power fails. Fourth, while the old instrument only requires a key to operate, the new instrument requires a key as well as an electronic username and password, providing additional security and allowing use to be monitored. Finally, since the requested instrument is currently in production by Nordion, we will be able to get a service contract, and if something does go wrong, we will be able to obtain replacement parts. Thus, the main advantages of the new instrument over the old one are that the new instrument provides reliability, security, ease of record-keeping and up-to-date parts and service.