Whats the difference in the approach between beta and gamma radiation?
Mr. Hawkins: We started in 1994, and we understood this potential need to design and develop a system specifically to be used in the cath lab. We therefore chose beta radiation. This is a form of radiation that basically targets near field tissue. The beta radiation uses electrons, which bombard the cellular structures, dissipate the energy and fracture the DNA. It then loses all of its energy and it doesn’t have any effects beyond four to seven millimeters into the tissue. As a consequence, there is no need for additional shielding for the patient or for the physician. The physician can be right there with the patient when the treatment is being done. With beta radiation, we can treat the patient with the appropriate dose in about three to five minutes. Gamma, on the other hand, uses photons, which are smaller particles, and while they bombard the near field tissue, they also have a tendency to keep on going. As a consequence, there is a need to shield the cath lab, and the cardiologi
