Apparatus and method for transporting radiopharmaceuticals

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.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
   
   
       37 : A radiopharmaceutical pig for transporting a radiopharmaceutical syringe comprising:
 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, and defining an internal chamber for the radiopharmaceutical syringe;   the upper and lower exterior shells, radiation shields and non-porous linings each having an interior surface and an exterior surface,   wherein the exterior shell and the non-porous lining of the upper portion form one continuous piece that encapsulates the upper radiation shield,   wherein the exterior shell and the non-porous lining of the lower portion form one continuous piece that encapsulates the lower radiation shield, and   wherein the lower portion of the internal chamber has a closed end and an open end, the lower portion being elongated and configured to engage the radiopharmaceutical syringe to limit its insertion into the internal chamber of the non-porous lining in order to keep the radiopharmaceutical syringe spaced from the closed end of the lower portion of the internal chamber.   
   
   
       38 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the internal chamber is sized to fit a syringe. 
   
   
       39 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the upper and lower exterior shells and upper and lower interior linings comprise a plastic. 
   
   
       40 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the upper and lower exterior shells and upper and lower interior linings comprise a durable material. 
   
   
       41 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the upper and lower radiation shields comprise lead. 
   
   
       42 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the upper and lower radiation shields comprise a metal. 
   
   
       43 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the upper and lower exterior shells and upper and lower non-porous linings comprise a plastic. 
   
   
       44 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the upper and lower non-porous linings are cleanable. 
   
   
       45 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the upper and lower exterior shells and upper and lower interior linings substantially enclose the exterior and interior surfaces of the upper and lower radiation shields. 
   
   
       46 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the lower radiation shield and lower interior lining comprise cutouts that correspond with protrusions on a syringe. 
   
   
       47 : A radiopharmaceutical pig for transporting a radiopharmaceutical syringe comprising:
 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, and defining an internal chamber for the radiopharmaceutical syringe; and   a removable container having a cap and a housing, the removable container sized to contain a syringe and fit within the internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig,   wherein the upper and lower exterior shells, radiation shields and non-porous linings each having an interior surface and an exterior surface,   wherein the exterior shell of the upper and lower portions surrounds the radiation shield and the non-porous lining of the upper and lower portions,   wherein the radiation shield of the upper and lower portions surrounds the non-porous lining of the upper and lower portions, and   wherein the non-porous lining of the upper and lower portions is a coating that conforms in shape to the interior surface of the radiation shield of the upper and lower portions.   
   
   
       48 : A radiopharmaceutical pig as defined in  claim 46 , wherein the housing comprises protrusions, and wherein the non-porous lining and the radiation shield of the lower portion comprises cutouts that correspond with the protrusions on the removable container. 
   
   
       49 : A method for transporting a radiopharmaceutical pig containing a radiopharmaceutical syringe the method comprising:
 filling a syringe with a radiopharmaceutical;   inserting the syringe into an internal chamber of a radiopharmaceutical pig, the radiopharmaceutical pig comprising:
 an upper exterior shell, an upper radiation shield, and an upper non-porous lining, wherein an interior surface of the upper non-porous lining defines an upper portion of the internal chamber, and wherein the upper non-porous lining is adhered to an interior surface of the upper radiation shield; and 
 a lower exterior shell, a lower radiation shield, and a lower non-porous lining, wherein an interior surface of the lower non-porous lining defines a lower portion of the internal chamber, wherein the lower non-porous lining is adhered to an interior surface of the lower radiation shield, wherein the lower portion of the internal chamber includes a closed end and an open end, and wherein the lower portion is elongated and configured to engage the syringe to limit its insertion into the internal chamber of the non-porous lining in order to keep the syringe spaced from the closed end of the lower portion of the internal chamber; and 
   attaching the upper exterior shell, upper radiation shield, and upper non-porous lining to the lower exterior shell, lower radiation shield, and lower non-porous lining.   
   
   
       50 : The method as defined in  claim 49 , further comprising placing a housing sized to contain a syringe into the internal chamber before inserting the syringe into the housing. 
   
   
       51 : The method as defined in  claim 49 , further comprising placing the radiopharmaceutical pig into a shipping container for transportation to the location for use. 
   
   
       52 : The method as defined in  claim 51 , further comprising transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location for use. 
   
   
       53 : The method as defined in  claim 52 , further comprising placing a label having information that is useful to the user or patient on the radiopharmaceutical pig before transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location for use. 
   
   
       54 : The method as defined in  claim 53 , wherein the information is selected from a group consisting of a patients name, a production lot number, an expiration date for the radioactive material, a quantity of the radioactive material, a name of an intended medical procedure, a half life for the radioactive material, a bar code, and a color code. 
   
   
       55 : A method for transporting a radiopharmaceutical pig containing a radiopharmaceutical syringe, the method comprising:
 filling a syringe with a radiopharmaceutical;   inserting the syringe into an internal chamber of a radiopharmaceutical pig, the radiopharmaceutical pig comprising:
 an upper exterior shell, an upper radiation shield, and an upper non-porous lining, wherein an interior surface of the upper non-porous lining defines an upper portion of the internal chamber, and wherein the upper non-porous lining is a coating that conforms in shape to an interior surface of the upper radiation shield; 
 a lower exterior shell, a lower radiation shield, and a lower non-porous lining, wherein an interior surface of the lower non-porous lining defines a lower portion of the internal chamber, wherein the lower non-porous lining is a coating that conforms in shape to an interior surface of the lower radiation shield, wherein the lower portion of the internal chamber includes a closed end and an open end, and wherein the lower portion is elongated and configured to engage the syringe to limit its insertion into the internal chamber of the non-porous lining in order to keep the syringe spaced from the closed end of the lower portion of the internal chamber; 
   attaching the upper exterior shell, upper radiation shield, and upper non-porous lining to the lower exterior shell, lower radiation shield, and lower non-porous lining.