Container and method for transporting a syringe containing radioactive material

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

1 . A method of transporting a syringe containing a radioactive material to a location for use and, thereafter, to a disposal area; the method comprising: 
 inserting a housing into a lower portion of a radiopharmaceutical pig;    inserting the syringe into the housing;    assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing an upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig to the lower portion so the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe and the housing in an inner chamber;    transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location for use;    disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing the upper portion from the lower portion to allow access to the chamber;    removing the syringe from the housing;    discharging at least some of the radioactive material from the syringe;    replacing the syringe in the housing;    attaching a cap to the housing to contain the syringe therein;    reassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing the upper portion to the lower portion to contain the cap and the housing containing the syringe;    transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig from the location of use to the disposal area;    disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing its upper portion from its lower portion;    removing the cap and the housing containing the syringe from the radiopharmaceutical pig; and    disposing of the cap and the housing containing the syringe.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further including: 
 placing a label having information regarding the radioactive material within the syringe on the radiopharmaceutical pig before it is transported to the location of use.    
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein disposing of the cap and the housing containing the syringe comprises: 
 reading the information on the radiopharmaceutical pig label while the cap is attached to the housing;    determining a particular disposal container based on the information on the radiopharmaceutical pig label; and    placing the cap and the housing containing the syringe into the particular disposal container.    
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 1  further including: 
 affixing a label to the syringe before the syringe is placed in the housing, the label containing information regarding the radioactive material within the syringe.    
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein disposing of the cap and the housing containing the syringe comprises: 
 reading the information on the syringe label while the syringe is inside the cap and the housing;    determining a particular disposal container based on the information on the syringe label; and    placing the cap and the housing containing the syringe into the proper disposal container.    
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein assembling and reassembling radiopharmaceutical pig comprises: 
 placing a mating end of a tubular upper portion in circumferential contact with a mating end of the tubular lower portion.    
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 6  wherein disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig comprises: 
 removing the mating end of the tubular upper portion from the mating end of the tubular lower portion.    
   
   
       8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , further including: 
 preventing uncontrolled rolling of the radiopharmaceutical pig by forming roll-resistant ridges on the upper portion and the lower portion, the ridges extending radially from the external circumference of the upper portion and from the external circumference of the lower portion.    
   
   
       9 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the assembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig further includes placing an “O” ring between the tubular upper portion and the tubular lower portion to form a leak resistant seal between the upper portion and lower portion.  
   
   
       10 . A method of transporting a syringe containing a radioactive material to a location for and, hereafter, to a disposal area, the method comprising: 
 inserting a housing into a lower portion of a radiopharmaceutical pig;    inserting the syringe into the housing;    assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing an upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig to the lower portion, thereby containing the syringe and the housing in a chamber within the radiopharmaceutical pig;    transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location for use for disassembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig removal and use of the syringe, replacement of the syringe into the housing, and reassembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig so that it contains a cap attached to the housing containing the syringe inside;    transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig from the location of use to the disposal area;    disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing the upper portion from the lower portion, thereby exposing the cap and the housing;    removing the and the housing containing the syringe from the radiopharmaceutical pig; and    disposing of the cap and the housing containing the syringe.    
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , further including: 
 placing a label having information regarding the radioactive material within the syringe on the radiopharmaceutical pig before it is transported to the location of use.    
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein disposing of the sharps container containing the syringe comprises: 
 reading the information on the radiopharmaceutical pig label while the cap is attached to the housing;    determining a particular disposal container based on the information on the radiopharmaceutical pig label; and    placing the cap and the housing containing the syringe into the particular disposal container.    
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 10  further including: 
 placing a label on the syringe before the syringe is placed in the housing, the label having information regarding the radioactive material with the syringe.    
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein disposing of the cap and the housing containing the syringe further includes: 
 reading the information on the syringe label while the syringe is inside the cap and the housing;    determining a particular disposal container based on the information on the syringe label; and    placing the cap and the housing containing the syringe into the particular disposal container.    
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing an upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig to the lower portion comprises: 
 placing a mating end of a tubular upper portion of a radiopharmaceutical pig in circumferential contact with a mating end of the tubular lower portion; and    threadably securing the mating end of the tubular upper portion to the mating end of the tubular lower portion.    
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing the upper portion from the lower portion comprises: 
 removing the mating end of the tubular upper portion from the mating end of the tubular lower portion.    
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further including: 
 preventing uncontrolled rolling of the radiopharmaceutical pig by forming  5  roll-resistant ridges on the upper portion and the lower portion the ridges extending radially from the external circumferences of the upper portion and the lower portion.    
   
   
       18 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the assembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig further includes placing an “O” ring between the tubular upper portion and the tubular lower portion to form a leak resistant seal between the upper and lower portions of the radiopharmaceutical pig.  
   
   
       19 . A method of delivering a syringe containing radioactive material to a location of use and, subsequently, to a disposal area, the method comprising: 
 placing a housing for a sharps container in a cavity in a lower portion of a radiopharmaceutical pig;    placing the syringe containing the radioactive material in a cavity in the housing;    securing a mating end of an upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig to a mating end of the lower portion, thereby enclosing the syringe and the housing within a chamber in the radiopharmaceutical pig;    transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location where the syringe is removed for use after which a cap for a sharps container is attached to the housing to contain the syringe therein, the cap and the housing being placed within the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig;    transporting the radiopharmaceutical via from the location to a disposal area;    removing the upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig from the lower portion the radiopharmaceutical pig;    removing the cap and the housing containing the syringe from the radiopharmaceutical pig;    disposing of the cap and the housing containing the syringe.    
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 19 , further including: 
 placing a label having information regarding the radioactive material within the syringe on the radiopharmaceutical pig before transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location of use.    
   
   
       21 . The method as defined  claim 20 , wherein disposing of the cap and the housing containing the syringe comprises: 
 reading the information on the radiopharmaceutical pig label while the cap is attached to the housing;    determining a particular disposal container based on the information on the radiopharmaceutical pig label; and    placing the cap and the housing containing the syringe into the particular disposal container.    
   
   
       22 . The method as defined in  claim 22  further including: 
 affixing a label to the syringe before the syringe is placed in the housing, the label containing information regarding the radioactive material with the syringe.    
   
   
       23 . The method as defined in  claim 22 , wherein disposing of the cap and housing containing the syringe further includes: 
 reading the information on the syringe label while the syringe is inside the cap and the housing;    determining a particular disposal container based on the information on the syringe label; and    placing the cap and the housing containing the syringe into the particular disposal container.    
   
   
       24 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , further including: 
 preventing uncontrolled rolling of the radiopharmaceutical pig by forming roll-resistant ridges on the upper portion and the lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig, the ridges extending radially from the external circumferences of the upper portion and the lower portion.    
   
   
       25 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , when the assembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig further includes: 
 sealing the radiopharmaceutical pig with an “O” ring mounted between the tubular upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig and the tubular lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig.    
   
   
       26 . A method of using syringes containing radioactive material, the method utilizing a radiopharmaceutical pig and a container having a housing and a cap, the container being configured to contain the syringe and fit within a chamber in the radiopharmaceutical pig, the method comprising: 
 disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing an upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig from a lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig, thereby exposing the syringe;    removing the syringe from the housing;    discharging at least some of the radioactive material from the syringe;    replacing the syringe in the housing;    attaching a cap to the housing to contain the syringe inside the container; and    assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing the upper portion to the lower portion to contain the syringe contained within the container.    
   
   
       27 . A transportation container for a syringe containing radioactive material comprising, 
 a radiopharmaceutical pig having an upper portion removably securable to a lower portion, each portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner surface defining an internal cavity oriented to define a chamber when the upper and lower portions of the radiopharmaceutical pig are secured together, the radiopharmaceutical pig including radiation-resistant material surrounding the chamber such that radioactive material may be safely stored within the chamber; and    a tubular sharps container having a cap and a housing configured to fit the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig, the    the cap having a closed end and an open mating end with at least one resilient snap;    the housing having a closed end and an open mating end with at least one ledge for the engagement of the resilient snap when the mating end cap contacts the mating end of the housing, the engagement of the resilient snap with the ledge fastening the cap to the housing, the fastened cap and housing configured to hold the syringe therein and to fit within the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig.    
   
   
       28 . The transport container as defined in  claim 27 , wherein 
 the housing has a window through which at least part of the syringe is visible when it is inside the fastened container.    
   
   
       29 . The transport container as defined in  claim 27 , wherein 
 the housing is constructed from a transparent material.    
   
   
       30 . The transport container as defined in  claim 27 , wherein 
 the cap has at least two resilient snaps; and    the housing has at least two ledges, each of which is aligned with an associated resilient snap.    
   
   
       31 . The transportation container as described in  claim 27 , wherein 
 the mating end of the cap includes at least two radially spaced, cylindrical ridges extending longitudinally toward the mating end of the closure;    the mating end of the housing further including a cylindrical sealing wall extending longitudinally to fit between the ridges on the cap when the housing is attached to the cap, thereby creating a leak resistant seal.    
   
   
       32 . A sharps container for a syringe containing radioactive material, the container comprising: 
 a tubular cap having an open mating end, a closed end, and a wall having an inner surface defining an internal cavity between the open mating end and the closed end, the mating end of the cap having at least one resilient snap;    a tubular housing having an open mating end, a closed end, and a wall having an inner surface defining an internal cavity between the open mating end and the closed end;    the mating end of the housing including at least one ledge, each ledge sized and positioned to engage an associated snap on the cap, thereby fastening the cap to the housing;    the housing further includes an internal sealing wall extending from the inner surface of the housing toward the mating end of the housing, the sealing wall abutting the inner surface of the wall of the cap when the cap is fastened to the housing;    the cavity of the cap and the cavity of the housing cooperatively defining an inner chamber for holding the syringe when the snap of the cap engages the ledge of the housing and the mating end of the cap abuts the mating end of the housing inside the sharps container; and    the housing further includes a window through which the syringe is visible when it is in the inner chamber formed when the cap and the housing is fastened together.    
   
   
       33 . The sharps container as defined in  claim 32 , wherein the housing is constructed from a transparent material.  
   
   
       34 . The sharps contain as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 the cap has at least two opposed snaps and the housing has at least two opposed notches for guiding the snaps until they engage the ledges in the housing.    
   
   
       35 . A transportation container for a syringe containing radioactive material, the container comprising: 
 a radiopharmaceutical pig having an upper portion removably securable to a lower portion, the upper portion and the lower portion configured to cooperatively define an internal chamber when the upper portion is secured to the lower portion, the chamber being surrounded by a radiation-resistant material;    a sharps container having a cap and a housing, 
 the cap having an open mating end, a closed end, and a tapered cylindrical wall extending from the open matting end to the close end, the tapered cylindrical wall defining an internal cavity between the mating end of the cap and the closed end of the cap,  
 the mating end of the cap having a generally horizontal shoulder and two resilient snaps, the shoulder extending radially outward from the tapered cylindrical wall of the cap, each resilient snap extending longitudinally away from the closed end of the cap,  
 the housing having an open mating end, a closed end, and a tapered cylindrical wall extending from the open mating end to the closed end, the tapered cylindrical wall defining an internal cavity between the mating end of the housing and the closed end of the housing, and  
 the mating end of the housing having a generally cylindrical mating wall extending longitudinally to a shoulder, the shoulder extending radially inward to the tapered cylindrical wall of the housing, the mating wall including two ledges and two opposed notches, each ledge aligned with and configured to engage with an associated snap on the mating end of the cap, the notches each configured to accept associated snaps on the mating end of the housing, the opposing notches each having an inner surface separated by a diametrical distance less than a diametrical distance between the resilient snaps, thereby forcing each resilient snap to deform radially inward until it engages with its associated ledge.  
   
   
   
       36 . The transportation container as defined in  claim 35 , wherein 
 the housing is made of transparent material.    
   
   
       37 . The transportation container as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the housing has an inner cylindrical sealing wall extending longitudinally from its shoulder, the sealing wall abutting the shoulder of the cap when the snaps on the mating end of the cap are engaged with the ledges on the mating end of the housing.  
   
   
       38 . A sharps container for a syringe, the sharps container comprising: 
 a radiopharmaceutical pig having an upper portion removably securable to a lower portion, the upper portion and the lower portion configured to cooperatively define an internal chamber when the upper portion is secured to the lower portion, the chamber surrounded by a radiation-resistant material;    a sharps container having a cap and a housing, 
 the cap having an open mating end, a closed end, and a tapered cylindrical wall extending from the open matting end to the close end, the tapered cylindrical wall defining an internal cavity between the mating end of the cap and the closed end of the cap,  
 the mating end of the cap having a generally horizontal shoulder and two resilient snaps, the shoulder extending radially outward from the tapered cylindrical wall of the cap, each resilient snap extending longitudinally away from the closed end of the cap,  
 the housing having an open mating end, a closed end, and a tapered cylindrical wall extending from the open mating end to the closed end, the tapered cylindrical wall defining an internal cavity between the mating end of the housing and the closed end of the housing, and  
 the mating end of the housing having a generally cylindrical mating wall extending longitudinally to a shoulder, the shoulder extending radially inward to the tapering cylindrical wall of the housing, the mating wall including two ledges and two opposed notches, each ledge aligned with and configured to engage with an associated snap on the mating end of the cap, the notches each configured to accept associated snaps on the mating end of the housing, the opposing notches each having an inner surface separated by a distance less than a distance between the resilient snaps, thereby forcing each resilient snap to bend radially inward until it engages with its associated ledge  
   a hollow shield of radiation resistant material having an upper portion with an inner cavity and a lower portion with an inner cavity, the upper and lower portions positionable such that their cavities cooperatively define a space to enclose the housing and the cap; and    a hollow outer container having an upper shell with an inner cavity and a lower shell with an inner cavity, the upper shell and the lower shell removably secured together such that the cavities of both shells cooperatively define a space for the housing, the closure, and the radiation shield to nest therein,    
   
   
       39 . The tubular housing further having a sealing wall extending longitudinally from the internal shoulder toward the mating end, 
 the cap further having two internal sealing ridges extending from the shoulder of the cap toward the mating end of the cap and radially spaced apart to accept the sealing wall of the housing between them to form a seal.