General Questions

What is Ionizing Radiation?

Ionizing radiation consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, ionizing them.

Two of the most common forms of ionizing radiation are gamma rays and x-rays. Both forms of ionizing radiation are almost identical with exception to their source of origination.

How is Ionizing Radiation Generated?

Ionizing radiation comes from radioactive sources such as cobalt 60 and cesium 137 and non-radioactive sources such as x-ray tubes. Radioactive sources are unstable materials where gamma rays originate from the nucleus. x-rays originate in the electron fields surrounding the nucleus or are machine-produced.

What is Ionizing Radiation Used for?

Because of the penetrating properties of ionizing radiation and their ability to kill microorganisms, ionizing radiation is used to sterilize or reduce the microbial load of many different types of products such as medical devices, packaging, cosmetics, foods, and agricultural products. It is also used to alter the properties of many different polymers through recombination, cross-linkage, and cross scission.

Why use x-ray versus gamma produced Ionizing radiation?

Gamma ionizing radiation is produced by radioactive sources such as cobalt 60 or cesium 137 and is dangerous requiring heavy shielding and high levels of security to protect. The unstable material is constantly decaying and cannot be turned off. x-ray ionizing radiation is produced by a x-ray tube therefore it can be turned off when it is not being used and it requires much less shielding. At the end the of unit’s lifecycle, the unit does not have any radioactive source and therefore does not require the expensive disposal costs associated with radioactive sources that continue to degrade over hundreds of years.

Does the RS 3400 require external cooling?

No, the RS 3400 uses a self-contained water to air exchange system.

Is the RS 3400 Blood Irradiator cleared by the FDA for GVHD?

Yes, the RS 3400 was cleared by the USFDA for marketing for the irradiation of blood for the prevention of graft verses host disease (GVHD).

How does the RS 3400 differ from other x-ray irradiators?

The RS 3400 is designed to have the blood bags rotate around the Quastar™ x-ray emitter using our patented carousel and therefore delivers superior uniformity.
Unlike other x-ray blood irradiators, the RS 3400 is completely self-contained and requires no external water supply for tube cooling.
The RS 3400 is engineered for extreme reliability as it uses the proven Quastar™ x-ray emitter.
The RS 3400 has only ONE x-ray tube and ONE power supply.

How does the RS 3400 differ from a Cs-137 gamma irradiator??

The RS 3400 uses a Rad Source patented Quastar™ x-ray emitter and therefore contains NO radioactive isotopes. It can be turned on and off, similar to a light bulb. As a result, there is no Nuclear Site License, Homeland Security issues, or room shielding requirements.

Cell Research

The Ultimate in Versatile Irradiation Technology

The Rad Source RS 1800 Q X-ray Irradiators are engineered for cutting-edge biological research, offering unmatched versatility for a wide range of applications.

From cells and tissue cultures to seeds, stem cells, blood products, and other biological samples, these powerful irradiators provide the precision and flexibility needed to explore complex biological responses across numerous life science disciplines, including cancer research, immunology, and genetics.

The Most Powerful Dedicated Cell Irradiator Available

Cancer researchers utilize our patented x-ray irradiation technology to assess the effects of radiation on different types of cancer cells in laboratory experiments, enabling them to more accurately predict the outcomes of radiation therapy in cancer patients.

Cancer cells are normal cells that have suffered genetic mutations in their DNA that cause them to multiply uncontrollably and escape death. Cancer cells display several “hallmark” behaviors that are characteristic of cells from all types of cancer, but individual types of cancer differ greatly in other behaviors, particularly in their response to radiation.

It is critical for cancer researchers to evaluate the effects of radiation on cancer cells in the laboratory because this will lead to safer and more effective treatments for human cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy in the hospital or clinic.

Equipment

Cell Research Contact Form

Patented Quastar® Photonic Decontamination™ Technology

Our patented x-ray irradiation technology is the preferred method to simulate radiation therapy in the laboratory, enabling cancer researchers to perform experiments that show how cancer cells gain resistance to radiation and other experiments that evaluate the collective effect of new drugs or doses in combination with radiation therapy.

Learn About Quastar

High Dose Rates

The Quastar™ x-ray emitter produces a high x-ray output and has a large field, providing the scientist with the flexibility for many application configurations for high throughput and dose rate.

Better Uniformity

Due to a larger field with no need to collimate the beam, a better uniformity can be achieved compared to imaging tube x-ray technology.

Direct Replacement for Gamma Irradiator

The U.S. Government has recognized x-ray to be a safe, direct alternative – for radioactive isotope (gamma) source irradiators.

Equipment

RS 1800 Q Biological Irradiator

The 1800∙Q is designed around the proprietary QUASTAR™ X-ray platform built specifically for life science applications. The most powerful cell irradiator available for cell and tissue biological research. Applications include cancer research, immunology, feeder cell arrestment, hybridoma cells, stem cells, apoptosis, and seeds.

View the RS 1800 Series