Delivery methods, systems and components for use with radiopharmaceutical substances
First Claim
1. A method of injecting a radiopharmaceutical comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting a source of flushing fluid to a first port of a fluid delivery set;
(b) connecting a pressurizing unit of a powered injector system including a syringe in operative connection with the powered injector, to a second port of the fluid delivery set, the powered injector system including a powered injector and the pressurizing unit;
(c) removably connecting a disposable fluid path adapted to connect to a patient to the fluid delivery set;
(d) purging air from the fluid delivery set and the disposable fluid path;
(e) after purging air in step (d), connecting a third port of the fluid delivery set to a source of the radiopharmaceutical;
(f) drawing radiopharmaceutical into the syringe and injecting the radiopharmaceutical through the fluid delivery set and the disposable fluid path; and
(g) measuring the level of radioactivity of the radiopharmaceutical dispensed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus of dispensing a radiopharmaceutical wherein a source of flushing fluid is connected to a first port of a fluid delivery set; a pressurizing unit of a powered injector system (including a powered injector and the pressurizing unit) is connected to a second port of the fluid delivery set; air is purged from the fluid delivery set; and, after purging air from the fluid delivery set, a third port of the fluid delivery set is connected to a source of the radiopharmaceutical. A valve system is included to control flow of fluid. A syringe is operatively connected with a powered injector. A radioactive shield encloses the syringe during operation to protect personnel from detrimental effects. A dose calibrator measure the radioactivity in the syringe.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of injecting a radiopharmaceutical comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting a source of flushing fluid to a first port of a fluid delivery set;
(b) connecting a pressurizing unit of a powered injector system including a syringe in operative connection with the powered injector, to a second port of the fluid delivery set, the powered injector system including a powered injector and the pressurizing unit;
(c) removably connecting a disposable fluid path adapted to connect to a patient to the fluid delivery set;
(d) purging air from the fluid delivery set and the disposable fluid path;
(e) after purging air in step (d), connecting a third port of the fluid delivery set to a source of the radiopharmaceutical;
(f) drawing radiopharmaceutical into the syringe and injecting the radiopharmaceutical through the fluid delivery set and the disposable fluid path; and
(g) measuring the level of radioactivity of the radiopharmaceutical dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for delivery of a radiopharmaceutical:
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a syringe in operative connection with a powered injector;
a dose calibrator adapted to measure the level of radioactivity of the radiopharmaceutical within the syringe, and including as a component thereof a protective container to enclose the syringe during operation thereof, the protective container being adapted to protect personnel from detrimental effects of the radiopharmaceutical;
at least one source of flushing fluid;
a fluid path adapted to connect to a patient;
at least one source of the radiopharmaceutical; and
a fluid delivery set including a valve assembly to which the syringe, the source of flushing fluid, the fluid path and the source of radiopharmaceutical are removably connectable, the valve assembly providing flow control through the fluid delivery set such that operator contact with the fluid delivery set is not required after connection of the source of radiopharmaceutical to the fluid delivery set. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of using a powered injector system to inject a radiopharmaceutical into a body comprising the steps of:
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attaching an extending adapter to the front end of the powered injector;
the adapter including an injector attachment to place the adapter in operative connection with the powered injector, the adapter also including a syringe attachment to attach a syringe to the adapter to place the syringe in operative connection with the powered injector;
extending the adapter into a radiation shield. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. The combination of a radiation dose calibrator and an adapter for use with a powered injector to attach a syringe to the powered injector comprising:
- an injector attachment member to attach the adapter to a powered injector and a syringe attachment member spaced from the injector attachment member by a sufficient distance to position a syringe attached to the syringe attachment member within the radiation dose calibrator.
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18. A shield for use with a radiopharmaceutical, the shield including a housing that is impenetrable by radioactive energy from the radiopharmaceutical, the shield also including at least one opening in the housing through which an article containing the radiopharmaceutical and positioned within the housing can be viewed, the opening being in visual alignment with a reflective surface in which a viewer can view a reflection of the article, the opening being positioned within the housing such that there is no direct line between the viewer and the article that is not shielded by a portion of the housing.
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19. A method of injecting a radiopharmaceutical into a body including the steps of:
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positioning a pressurizing device containing a first volume of the radiopharmaceutical within a dose calibrating unit adapted to measure the level of radioactivity of the radiopharmaceutical;
injecting a second volume of the radiopharmaceutical, the second volume being determined through measurement by the dose calibrating unit to provide a desired level of radioactivity. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of injecting a radiopharmaceutical into a patient comprising the steps of:
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connecting a powered pressurizing device that is controlled without close operator contact to a valve assembly of a fluid delivery set;
connecting at least one source of a flushing fluid the valve assembly;
connecting a patient fluid path to the valve assembly, the patient fluid path terminating in a patient connector;
connecting a ready-made source of the radiopharmaceutical to the valve assembly;
controlling the valve assembly at least during injection of the radiopharmaceutical such that operator presence in the vicinity of the radiopharmaceutical is not required;
purging all lines of the fluid delivery set of air before connecting the source of radiopharmaceutical to the valve assembly; and
shielding at least a portion of the pressurizing device that contacts the radiopharmaceutical, - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification