Radioisotope thermoelectric generators for implanted pacemakers

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Sov. At. Energy (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01371182· OSTI ID:7147157

Pustovalov, A A; Bovin, A V; Fedorets, V I; Shapovalov, V P

This paper discusses the development and application of long-life lithium batteries and the problems associated with miniature radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RITEG) with service lives of 10 years or longer. On eof the main problems encountered when devising a radioisotope heat source (RHS) for an RITEG is to obtain biomedical /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ with a specific neutron yield of 3.10/sup 3/-4.10/sup 3/ (g /SUP ./ sec)/sup -1/, equivalent to metallic Pu 238, and with a content of gamma impurities sufficient to ensure a permissible exposure a permissible exposure does rate (EDR) of a mixture of neutron and gamma radiation. After carrying out the isotope exchange and purifying the initial sample of its gamma impurity elements, the authors obtain biomedical Pu 238 satisfying the indicated requirements king suitable for use in the power packs of medical devices. Taking the indicated specifications into account, the Ritm-1o and gamma radioisotope heat sources were designed, built, tested in models and under natural conditions, and then into production as radioisotope thermoelectric generators designed to power the electronic circuits of implanted pacemakers. The Ritm-MT and Gemma radioisotope thermoelectric generators described are basic units, which can be used as self-contained power supplies for electronic equipment with power requirements in the micromilliwatt range.

• OSTI ID: 7147157
• Journal Information: Sov. At. Energy (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. At. Energy (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 60:2; ISSN SATEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
070300 -- Isotopic Power Supplies
070300* -- Isotopic Power Supplies
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARDIAC PACEMAKERS
CHALCOGENIDES
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSE RATES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GAMMA RADIATION
HEAT SOURCES
HEAVY NUCLEI
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOTOPE PRODUCTION
ISOTOPES
MINIATURIZATION
NUCLEI
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PLUTONIUM 238
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
REVIEWS
SERVICE LIFE
SPECIFICATIONS
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES