In radiotherapy and medical imaging, every second counts. Especially when dealing with radiopharmaceuticals that have a shelf life of only 10 to 12 hours. That’s why Radboud Translational Medicine (RTM), a specialist in the development and distribution of these radiological medicines, enlisted IoTech powered by Simac to enable real-time tracking of their returnable transport items (RTIs) – lead pots within transport containers.
Radboud Translational Medicine operates a state-of-the-art cyclotron facility for the production of radiopharmaceuticals, which are drugs containing radioactive substances used for diagnostics or therapy. From particle acceleration to distribution to medical centers in the Netherlands and Germany, everything depends on precise logistics and timely return flows.
Optimizing return logistics
For transport to other medical centers, the radiopharmaceuticals are placed in vials and packed into lead pots weighing approximately 15 kg, which are then fitted into compact yellow transport containers. After use, these valuable lead pots are meant to be returned to RTM in the same containers. However, there was room for improvement in terms of circulation and return logistics.
Anne van de Beek, Operations Manager at Radboud Translational Medicine: “We did keep track of which transport container went to which location, but we didn’t record whether or when it came back. Where are the containers, and how long do they stay there? That’s the insight we needed, especially to ensure we have sufficient stock for our own production. We initially tried using a tracker that relied solely on Global Positioning System (GPS) data. But since nuclear departments are typically located in basements, the GPS tracker would lose signal. So we searched online and came across the trackers from Sensolus and their implementation partner IoTech powered by Simac.”
Dave Engel, Industry 4.0 & IoT business process consultant at Simac Belgium: “Our technology goes beyond GPS based tracking alone. Thanks to the use of hybrid trackers in combination with BLE geobeacons (Bluetooth Low Energy), both outdoor and indoor tracking – even in basements – is perfectly possible. This tracking solution recognizes Wi-Fi and BLE points. That’s a major advantage, along with the strong product stability and the intelligent platform that includes updates.”
Laurens Driegelinck, Channel Account Manager at Sensolus: "Location tags determine the location using BLE, and Smart Gateways scan for location tags via BLE and Wi-Fi. Our smart trackers, tags, and sensors collect data from the assets and send it to our asset tracking platform. The powerful search and filter engine, combined with visually appealing dashboards, provides immediate, detailed insights to optimize asset management."
Trackers with Bluetooth Low Energy
Anne van de Beek: “The trackers are placed inside the transport containers, and now, after one year, we have about 90 in circulation. It’s no longer a matter of ‘searching for’ – it’s now ‘knowing where’. That relieves both us and our logistics partner. The days of unnecessarily purchasing extra pots and containers are over. Thanks to the smart trackers from Sensolus and IoTech powered by Simac, we’re optimizing the use of our own stock, maintaining control over losses, and the follow-up and coordination processes are now fully automated.”
Benefits:
- Continuous visibility – thanks to BLE and Wi-Fi recognition, it’s always clear where the lead pots are located (both indoors and outdoors)
- Stock overview – real-time insight: for example, 34 containers at RTM, 4 in Bonn, etc.
- Smart alerts – notifications can be sent to the logistics partner if containers have been missing for over a week
- Efficiency boost – reduced need to purchase new lead pots and transport containers, as returns are faster; optional alerts can be set if stock at RTM runs low
- Relief through process automation – the smart platform handles follow-ups and requests, reducing administrative workload
The co-creation between Radboud Translational Medicine, IoTech powered by Simac en Sensolus fully optimizes the circulation of valuable lead pots and takes pressure off the team. The combination of BLE tracking, a real-time dashboard, and automated alerts results in efficiency and control in a process where time is quite literally vital.