Apparatus and method for transporting radiopharmaceuticals
First Claim
1. An apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals comprising:
- a radiopharmaceutical pig including an upper portion removably securable to a lower portion, the upper portion and lower portion each including an exterior shell, a radiation shield and a non-porous lining, the non-porous lining having an interior surface defining an internal chamber, wherein the exterior shell of the upper portion and the lower portion together surround the radiation shield, the non-porous lining and the internal chamber of the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the radiation shield of the upper portion and the lower portion together surround the non-porous lining and the internal chamber of the upper portion and the lower portion, and wherein the non-porous lining of the upper portion and lower portion together substantially surround the internal chamber of the lower portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals. Typically, the apparatus is a two-part assembly, each part having an exterior shell, a radiation shield and a non-porous lining. Additionally, the assembled apparatus has a sealed internal chamber suitable for carrying a syringe or a sharps container containing a syringe. The internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig is lined with a non-porous lining, typically a durable plastic, that prevents contamination of the radiopharmaceutical doses, the radiation shield, or the environment. Additionally, the non-porous lining can be quickly and easily cleaned and sterilized, avoiding the often difficult, to impossible, task of cleaning and sterilizing the radiation shield of the radiopharmaceutical pig. The non-porous lining is surrounded by a radiation shield that is typically comprised of elemental lead. The radiation shield prevents radiation from the radiopharmaceutical from contaminating the user or environment. The radiation shield is surrounded by an exterior shell that absorbs impact and prevents the radiopharmaceutical pig from breaking. Additionally, the exterior shell prevents environmental exposure to the potentially hazardous material of the radiation shield. Generally, a method of transporting a radiopharmaceutical by filling the container with a radiopharmaceutical, inserting the container into the internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig having a non-porous lining, and assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so the that the container is in the internal chamber and is encapsulated by the radiation shield, is also provided.
105 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals comprising:
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a radiopharmaceutical pig including an upper portion removably securable to a lower portion, the upper portion and lower portion each including an exterior shell, a radiation shield and a non-porous lining, the non-porous lining having an interior surface defining an internal chamber, wherein the exterior shell of the upper portion and the lower portion together surround the radiation shield, the non-porous lining and the internal chamber of the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the radiation shield of the upper portion and the lower portion together surround the non-porous lining and the internal chamber of the upper portion and the lower portion, and wherein the non-porous lining of the upper portion and lower portion together substantially surround the internal chamber of the lower portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals comprising:
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a radiopharmaceutical pig having an interior surface defining an internal chamber, the radiopharmaceutical pig having a non-porous lining, a radiation shield and an exterior shell, wherein the non-porous lining surrounds at least a portion of the internal chamber, wherein the radiation shield surrounds the non-porous lining and the internal chamber, and wherein the exterior shell surrounds the radiation shield, the nonporous lining and the internal chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of preparing an apparatus for transporting a radiopharmaceutical, the method utilizing a radiopharmaceutical pig comprised of an exterior shell, a radiation shield, and a non-porous lining, and having an interior surface defining an internal chamber sized to contain a container, the method comprising:
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filling the container with a radiopharmaceutical;
inserting the container into the internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig having a non-porous lining; and
assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so the container is in the internal chamber and encapsulated by the radiation shield. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification