IEC TR 61948-4-2019 PDF

Full title and description

IEC TR 61948-4:2019 — Nuclear medicine instrumentation — Routine tests — Part 4: Radionuclide calibrators. This technical report gives guidance on routine tests for radionuclide calibrators used in nuclear medicine (well‑type ionisation chambers with direct readout in activity units) and references the particular performance‑describing methods given in IEC 61303. The 2019 edition cancels and replaces the first edition (2006) and updates several test methods (notably the system linearity test) to reflect technical developments in radionuclide calibrators.

Abstract

IEC TR 61948-4:2019 provides routine quality‑control and routine test procedures for radionuclide calibrators (well‑type ionisation chambers) used to assay radioactive sources in nuclear medicine practice. It explains the purpose and recommended procedures for routine checks, clarifies the relationship to acceptance test methods (see IEC 61303), and documents a revised approach to system linearity testing compared with the 2006 edition.

General information

• Status: Replaced / withdrawn (superseded by IEC 63465:2026).
• Publication date: 22 March 2019.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 11.040.50 (Radiographic equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2019).
• Number of pages: 10 pages (technical report main publication; a redline version is also available with additional pagination).

Key bibliographic/details above are taken from the IEC publication record and national standards catalogues; the technical report was later superseded by IEC 63465:2026.

Scope

This technical report covers routine (periodic) tests and checks for radionuclide calibrators used in nuclear medicine to ensure ongoing performance for clinical and operational use. It addresses checks of instrument response, stability and linearity, and provides recommended procedures and acceptance guidance for routine quality control; it also explains the relationship between these routine tests and the more detailed acceptance and characterization methods given in IEC 61303. The document is intended for users who operate, maintain or perform QC on radionuclide calibrators.

Key topics and requirements

• Routine quality‑control checks for radionuclide calibrators (daily/periodic functional tests, stability checks).
• Updated method for determining system linearity to reflect modern calibrator designs and electronics.
• Guidance on performance parameters to monitor (linearity, constancy/stability, background, response vs geometry).
• Reference to and coordination with acceptance/characterization methods in IEC 61303 (for manufacturer/acceptance testing).
• Practical test procedures suitable for clinical nuclear medicine departments and routine‑use environments.

These topics are summarized from the IEC technical‑report abstract and the redline/technical catalogue descriptions.

Typical use and users

Primary users include clinical nuclear medicine departments and technologists performing routine QC, hospital physicists, instrumentation maintenance teams, calibration laboratories and device manufacturers who need to understand routine check expectations. National metrology institutes and designated calibration laboratories would reference related calibration standards when performing higher‑level calibrations; manufacturers and standards bodies used the TR as background until the newer IEC 63465 standard consolidated calibration and QC guidance.

Related standards

Key related documents include IEC 61303 (particular methods for describing radionuclide calibrator performance) and earlier related standards such as IEC 61145. The newer international standard IEC 63465:2026 consolidates and replaces IEC TR 61948-4:2019 and also updates guidance previously contained in IEC 61303 and other related documents. For other parts of the IEC 61948 routine‑tests series, see parts 1–3 (gamma counting systems, scintillation cameras/SPECT, PET) which provide routine QC guidance for other nuclear medicine instruments.

Keywords

radionuclide calibrator; ionisation chamber; well chamber; routine tests; quality control; system linearity; activity measurement; nuclear medicine instrumentation; IEC 61303; calibration.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TR 61948-4:2019 is a Technical Report from IEC (part of the IEC 61948 series) that provides recommended routine test procedures and QC checks for radionuclide calibrators (well‑type ionisation chambers) used in nuclear medicine.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers routine (periodic) functional checks such as constancy/stability, background, geometry/response considerations and a revised method for verifying system linearity; it explains how routine checks relate to more detailed acceptance/characterization methods (see IEC 61303).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Clinical nuclear medicine technologists, medical physicists, equipment maintenance teams, calibration laboratories and manufacturers use the guidance to plan and perform routine QC on radionuclide calibrators. Metrology and reference laboratories consult related calibration standards for higher‑level calibrations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC TR 61948-4:2019 has been superseded — it was withdrawn/treated as replaced when IEC 63465:2026 (Calibration and quality control in the use of radionuclide calibrators) was published; users should now consult IEC 63465:2026 for the current, consolidated calibration and QC requirements and acceptance criteria. The withdrawal/supersession took effect in January 2026.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61948 is a multi‑part series titled "Nuclear medicine instrumentation — Routine tests" (parts include gamma counting systems, scintillation cameras/SPECT, PET, and this Part 4 for radionuclide calibrators). The series provides part‑specific routine QC guidance for common nuclear medicine instruments.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Radionuclide calibrator; well‑type ionisation chamber; routine tests; quality control; system linearity; activity measurement; IEC 61303; calibration; nuclear medicine.