Eckert & Ziegler SE and its subsidiaries offer a range of products that make effective use of this radiation. Radiation sources with very different activity levels are used – from a few megabecquerels (MBq) for implantable seeds to terabecquerels (TBq) in irradiation devices. Some of these products and their specific properties are presented in detail below, with the differences in activity levels also being discussed.
Radiation of the Year 2025
Join us in celebrating Gamma Radiation – The Radiation of the Year 2025 selected by the German Society for Radiation Protection (FS)!
Discover How Eckert & Ziegler Harnesses Gamma Radiation to Advance Healthcare and Innovation
Radiation is all around us – yet our understanding of its many forms, from those we use safely every day to those we associate with risk, varies greatly. To raise awareness and foster informed dialogue, the board of the German Society for Radiation Protection (FS) selects one type of radiation each year to spotlight its role in modern society. In 2025, the focus is on gamma radiation – a powerful and widely used form of radiation with significant applications in medicine, industry, and research.
LDR Brachytherapy with I-125 Seeds: Precision in Prostate and Eye Cancer Treatment
Low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy in which radioactive sources with a low dose rate are placed directly in or close to the tumor tissue. This method is often used to treat prostate or eye cancer.
Methodology of LDR brachytherapy:
- Radiation sources and activity levels:
Commonly used isotope is Iodine-125 (I-125), which emits low energy gamma radiation. The individual seeds have a typical activity of 10 to 400 MBq. Direct placement in or close to the tumor tissue enables high-precision irradiation with a dose rate of up to 2 Gy/h. - Placement of the radiation sources:
During prostate treatment, small radioactive seeds are precisely implanted into the prostate using hollow needles under imaging control, such as ultrasound. These seeds remain permanently in the tissue and continuously emit gamma radiation, which is focused on the tumor tissue. During eye treatment, the seeds are temporarily fixed to the surface of the eye using applicators and removed again after a maximum of one week. - Treatment planning:
Detailed planning is carried out before the procedure to determine the exact number and position of the seeds. The aim is to achieve a homogeneous dose distribution in the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Eckert & Ziegler has been one of the leading suppliers of these seeds for decades and provides a proven solution for LDR brachytherapy with IsoSeed® I-125.
LDR brachytherapy enables a high level of local tumor control with minimal side effects and is often considered as an alternative to other forms of therapy such as surgical removal of the prostate/eye and external radiation therapy.
SPECT Diagnostics: High-Resolution Imaging with Technetium-99m
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a nuclear medicine procedure that provides three-dimensional images of organs and tissues. A central component of this diagnostic method is the use of technetium-99m (Tc-99m), a radioisotope that is ideally suited for medical applications due to its physical properties.
Methodology of SPECT diagnostics with Tc-99m:
- Radiation source and activity levels:
Tc-99m is obtained from the parent isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which has a half-life of around 66 hours. Mo-99 decays to Tc-99m, which has a half-life of around 6 hours and emits gamma radiation with an energy of 140 keV. The activity of the Tc-99m obtained is typically in the gigabecquerel (GBq) range, which is sufficient for diagnostic applications. - Radiopharmaceutical kits:
Tc-99m is combined with special carrier molecules in order to enrich it specifically in certain organs or tissues. These radiopharmaceutical kits contain ligands that bind Tc-99m and, after injection into the body, adhere specifically to target structures such as tumors or certain organs. The production of these kits requires precise chemical processes to ensure stable and effective radiopharmaceuticals. - Imaging and diagnostics:
After administration of the Tc-99m-labeled radiopharmaceutical, its distribution in the body is detected using SPECT cameras. The emitted gamma radiation enables the creation of high-resolution, three-dimensional images that provide information about the function and morphology of organs. This is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment planning of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.
In cooperation with its subsidiary Tecnonuclear S.A., Eckert & Ziegler offers a wide range of products for SPECT diagnostics. These include Tc-99m generators, which ensure a continuous supply of Tc-99m, as well as various radiopharmaceutical kits for different diagnostic applications. These products are designed to meet the highest quality standards and enable reliable diagnostics in nuclear medicine.
Through the targeted use of Tc-99m and the associated products, Eckert & Ziegler contributes significantly to the further development and optimization of SPECT diagnostics, which ultimately leads to improved patient care.
Blood Irradiation: Prevention of Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease (TA-GvHD)
In transfusion medicine, irradiation of blood products is an established method of preventing the ability of lymphocytes to divide. Untreated lymphocytes can cause transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD) in the recipient, a serious and often fatal complication. Targeted gamma irradiation inactivates these cells, significantly reducing the risk of TA-GvHD.
Methodology of blood irradiation:
- Radiation source and activity levels:
Caesium-137 (Cs-137), which emits gamma radiation with an energy of 662 keV, is generally used for blood irradiation. The activity of these radiation sources is in the range of several terabecquerels (TBq) in order to ensure a sufficiently high dose rate and uniform irradiation. - Irradiation process:
The blood bags are placed in special, self-shielding irradiation devices. During irradiation, the radiation source oscillates and the irradiation container rotates to ensure an even dose distribution. The typical dose for the inactivation of lymphocytes is between 25 to 50 Gy, depending on the specific protocols and guidelines. - Dosimetry and safety:
Precise dosimetry is essential to ensure that the required dose is achieved without compromising the quality of the blood components. Modern irradiation devices, such as those offered by Eckert & Ziegler, have integrated safety mechanisms that monitor the irradiation process and ensure compliance with the prescribed dose.
Laboratory Irradiation: Research and Development Under Controlled Radiation Conditions
In biological and medical research, gamma irradiation is a valuable tool for investigating the effects of radiation on cells, tissue and materials. It enables studies on radiation sensitivity, DNA repair mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Methodology of laboratory irradiation:
- Radiation source and activity levels:
Similar to blood irradiation, caesium-137 (Cs-137) is usually used as the radiation source. The activity of these radiation sources varies from several gigabecquerels (GBq) to several terabecquerels (TBq), depending on the desired dose rate. - Irradiation chamber:
Samples are exposed in specialized irradiation chambers that ensure a homogeneous dose distribution. These chambers often offer optional media feedthroughs to enable external measuring instruments or special experimental conditions. - Dose management:
The dose rate can be adjusted according to experimental requirements. Modern laboratory irradiation equipment enables finely graduated dosing, which is crucial for precise, reproducible research results.
Eckert & Ziegler provides laboratory irradiation equipment with caesium-137 sources that are used in scientific institutions worldwide.
From MBq to TBq: Customized Gamma Solutions by Eckert & Ziegler
The targeted use of gamma radiation in LDR brachytherapy, transfusion medicine and research enables high-precision radiation doses to be achieved for specific applications. The differences in the activity quantities – from MBq for implantable seeds to GBq for laboratory irradiation and TBq for blood irradiation – illustrate the range of possible applications. Eckert & Ziegler offers customized solutions and contributes to safety and efficiency in medicine and science with its products.
Contact us for more information.
Contact
Eckert & Ziegler SE
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10
13125 Berlin
Germany
Email: med@ezag.com