THE USE OF ISOTOPES IN ORTHOPEDICS. I. THE ATOMIC NUCLEUS AND ISOTOPES
The use of radioisotopes in the study of bone, particularly from the viewpoint of the orthopedic surgeon, is discussed. Basic principles of the followw,ing topics are considered: atomic and nuclear structure, radioactivity, radioactive decay, and physical half life. Examples are cited of the three types of radiation emitted by isotopes, and their characteristics are outlined. The use of isotopes as tracers, preferably detectable in such minute amounts that their physiological effects are negligible, is based on the assumption that the radioisotope behaves chemically and in the organism in the same manner as the stable forms of the element. Radiocalcium (Ca/sup 45/ and Ca/sup 47/) in tracer amounts reflects the behivior of the stable Ca/sup 40/. However, in elements having low atomic wt, a difference in mass between isotopes may introduce a difference in behavior. Thus D(H/sup 2/) and T(H)/sup 3/ do not accurately reflect the behavior of stable H. To a lesser extent, this difference may be true also of the isotopes of C and N. Use of labeled compounds in biochemical research is also discussed. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Chicago
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-000145
- OSTI ID:
- 4176629
- Journal Information:
- J. Bone Joint Surg., Journal Name: J. Bone Joint Surg. Vol. Vol: 45A
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BONES
CALCIUM 40
CALCIUM 45
CALCIUM 47
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DECAY
DETECTION
EFFICIENCY
FILTERS
FISSION
GASES
HALF-LIFE
HEAVY WATER
ION EXCHANGE
ISOTOPES
KATHAROMETERS
KRYPTON
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MEASURED VALUES
MEDICINE
METABOLISM
MOLECULES
NITROGEN ISOTOPES
NUCLEAR STRUCTURE
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
RARE GASES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SURGERY
TEMPERATURE
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM
USES
VARIATIONS