  The $\beta^-$ based radio-guided surgery overcomes the corresponding $\gamma$
technique in case the background from healthy tissues is relevant. It can be
used only in case a radio-tracer marked with $^{90}$Y is available since the
current probe prototype was optimized for the emission spectrum of this
radio-nuclide. Here we study, with a set of laboratory tests and simulations,
the prototype capability in case a different radio-nuclide is chosen among
those used in nuclear medicine.
  As a result we estimate the probe efficiency on electrons and photons as a
function of energy and we evaluate the feasibility of a radio-guided surgery
exploiting the selected radio-nuclides. We conclude that requiring a 0.1~ml
residue to be detected within 1~s by administering 3~MBq/Kg of radio-isotope,
the current probe prototype would yield a significant signal in a vast range of
values of SUV and TNR in case $^{31}$Si,$^{32}$P, $^{97}$Zr, and $^{188}$Re are
used. Conversely, a tuning of the detector would be needed to efficiency use
$^{83}$Br, $^{133}$I, and $^{153}$Sm, although they could already be used in
case of high SUV or TNR values. Finally, $^{18}$F,$^{67}$Cu, $^{131}$I, and
$^{177}$Lu are not useable for radio-guided surgery with the current probe
design.
