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.

We 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.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the internal chamber is sized to fit a syringe.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the internal chamber is sized to fit a removable container having a cap and a housing.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the removable container is sized to fit a syringe.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower exterior shells comprise a plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower exterior shells comprise a paint.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower radiation shields comprise lead.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower radiation shields comprise a metal.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower non-porous linings comprise a plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower non-porous linings comprise a polymer.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower non-porous linings comprise a paint.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the radiopharmaceutical pig additionally comprises a removable container having a cap and housing, the removable container sized to contain a syringe and fit within the internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the removable container additionally comprises protrusions; and 
 wherein the non-porous lining and the radiation shield of the lower portion additionally comprises cutouts that correspond with the protrusions on the removable container.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals comprising: 
 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.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the internal chamber is sized to fit a syringe.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the internal chamber is sized to fit a removable container having a cap and a housing.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the removable container is sized to fit a syringe.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the exterior shell comprises a plastic.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the exterior shell comprises a paint.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the radiation shield comprises lead.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the radiation shield comprises a metal.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the non-porous lining comprises a plastic.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the non-porous lining comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the non-porous lining comprises a paint.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the radiopharmaceutical pig additionally comprises a removable container having a cap and housing, the removable container being sized to contain a syringe and fit within the internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals as defined in  claim 25 , wherein the removable container additionally comprises protrusions, and 
 wherein the non-porous lining and the radiation shield of the lower portion additionally comprise cutouts that correspond with the protrusions on the removable container.    
     
     
         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: 
 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.    
     
     
         28 . The method as defined in  claim 27 , further comprising placing a housing sized to contain a syringe into the internal chamber before inserting the container into the internal chamber.  
     
     
         29 . The method as defined in  claim 28 , further comprising placing a cap on the housing or container after inserting the container into the internal chamber.  
     
     
         30 . The method as defined in  claim 28 , further comprising placing a label having information that is useful to the user or patient on the container before inserting the container into the internal chamber.  
     
     
         31 . The method as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the information is selected from a group consisting of a patient's 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.  
     
     
         32 . The method as defined in  claim 27 , further comprising placing the radiopharmaceutical pig into a shipping container for transportation to the location for use.  
     
     
         33 . The method as defined in  claim 32 , further comprising transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location for use.  
     
     
         34 . The method as defined in  claim 33 , 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.  
     
     
         35 . The method as defined in  claim 34 , wherein the information is selected from a group consisting of a patient's 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.  
     
     
         36 . The method as defined in  claim 27 , wherein assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig includes screwing one portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig to another portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig.