Radiopharmaceutical Pigs and Portable Powered Injectors

• US 20080200747A1
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Fago, Frank M., Grispo, Keith M., Ortenzi, Vernon D., Wagner, Gary S., Bausmith, William E., Haynes, Elaine E., Lewis, John H., Wilson, David W., Gibson, Chad M., Borgemenke, Elaine
• Application Number:
  US11/914,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20080200747A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14506 mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1785 comprising radioactive shield means syringe shields or holders for storage of radioactive sources G21F5/018

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for power filling a syringe with a radiopharmaceutical from a vial while attempting to provide low exposure to radiation, and thereafter, power injecting the radiopharmaceutical. A radiation-shielded container of the system generally holds the vial. A filling and injecting device of the system generally includes a mounting structure adapted to support the syringe with a needle of the syringe located in the vial. An electromechanical drive of the system may be commanded by a control to pull a syringe plunger through a controlled motion, thereby filling the syringe.

Claims

1. A radiopharmaceutical apparatus comprising:

a first computer configured to transmit data about a radiopharmaceutical;

a radiopharmaceutical pig comprising;

radiation-shielding material;

a second computer configured to receive the data about a radiopharmaceutical from the first computer and calculate a dosage of a radiopharmaceutical based on the data received from the first computer; and

a first electrical connector mounted on the radiopharmaceutical pig and electrically connected to the second computer; and

a second electrical connector having a wired connection to the first computer, the second electrical connector being connectable with the first electrical connector to electrically connect the first computer with the second computer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a base unit supporting the first electrical connector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control unit supporting the first computer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the control unit further supports the first electrical connector.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a dose calibrator electrically connected to and controlled by the control unit.

82. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first computer and the second electrical connector are integrated into a control unit.

83. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a RFID tag coupled to the radiopharmaceutical pig.

84. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data comprises the radioactivity level of the radiopharmaceutical.

85. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first computer is configured to receive data.

86. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein the data comprises information related to the radiopharmaceutical.

6. A radiopharmaceutical apparatus comprising:

a first computer;

a radiopharmaceutical pig comprising;

radiation-shielding material;

a second computer configured to;

receive a signal from the first computer that indicates when a radiopharmaceutical was measured; and

calculate an elapsed time since the radiopharmaceutical was measured; and

a first electrical connector mounted on the radiopharmaceutical pig and electrically connected to the second computer;

a base unit configured to mechanically support the radiopharmaceutical pig; and

a second electrical connector on the base unit, the second electrical connector having a wireless connection to the first computer, and being connectable with the first electrical connector to electrically connect the second computer with the first computer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a control unit supporting the second computer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a dose calibrator electrically connected to and controlled by the control unit.

87. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the signal comprises an RF signal.

9. A radiopharmaceutical pig comprising:

a body comprising radiation-shielding material and having a receptacle defined therein that is adapted to accommodate a radiopharmaceutical container;

a lid comprising radiation-shielding material, the lid being releasably attachable to the body to enable a radiopharmaceutical container to be enclosed within the pig; and

a computer comprising a memory and an input/output device, the computer being a component of one of the body and the lid, wherein the computer is configured to;

receive data indicative of radioactivity of a radiopharmaceutical;

receive data indicative of a time at which the radioactivity was measured;

calculate an elapsed time since the radioactivity was measured; and

calculate a volumetric dosage of the radiopharmaceutical based on the data received; and

an electrical connector electrically connected to the computer.

10. The radiopharmaceutical pig of claim 9 further comprising a first electrical connector electrically connected to the computer and mounted on an external surface of one of the body and the lid.

11. The radiopharmaceutical pig of claim 9 further comprising a first electrical connector electrically connected to the computer and mounted on an external surface of one of the body and the lid, wherein the first electrical connector is mounted on an end surface of the lid.

12. The radiopharmaceutical pig of claim 9 further comprising a first electrical connector electrically connected to the computer and mounted on an external surface of one of the body and the lid, wherein the first electrical connector is mounted on an end surface of the body and the input/output device is mounted on the body.

13. The radiopharmaceutical pig of claim 9 further comprising a base unit, a first electrical connector electrically connected to the computer and mounted on an external surface of one of the body and the lid, and a second electrical connector supported by the base unit, the second electrical connector being connectable with the first electrical connector.

88. The radiopharmaceutical pig of claim 10 wherein the first electrical connector is mounted on an end surface of the body.

14-81. -81. (canceled)