Radiopharmaceutical capsule dispensing system

Abstract

An apparatus is used to dispense radiopharmaceuticals from an open vial into capsules. The apparatus is particularly well suited for volatile radiopharmaceuticals such as I-131 radioiodine. The method used with this apparatus enables the operator's hands to remain at a distance from the radiopharmaceutical to reduce extremity exposure which also allows use of highly concentrated stock solutions.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A radiopharmaceutical dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a glove box comprising observation means enabling observation of an inside of the glove box from outside of the glove box; and   a radiopharmaceutical dispensing system disposed in the glove box, the dispensing system being secured to a moveable handlebar assembly positioned inside the glove box.   
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the dispensing system comprises a control pad mounted on an outside of the glove box. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the dispensing system comprises a foot pedal outside of the glove box. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a dose calibrator having a dose calibrator chamber accessible from inside the glove box. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the dose calibrator comprises a display mounted on an outside of the glove box. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the chamber is sized and arranged to receive a portion of the dispensing system to measure and display the activity of the radiopharmaceutical. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a cave positioned inside the glove box, the cave comprising a floor and walls defining a shielded area. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a filtration system to filter air and vapors. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the observation means comprises a video camera located inside the glove box and a monitor located outside the glove box. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the observation means comprises a window positioned in a wall of the glove box. 
   
   
       30 . A method of using a radiopharmaceutical dispensing apparatus, the method comprising:
 dispensing a radiopharmaceutical, wherein the dispensing comprises moving a handlebar assembly of the radiopharmaceutical dispensing apparatus.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the moving comprises moving the handlebar assembly along an axis. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the moving comprises moving the handlebar assembly up and down. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the moving comprises moving a radiopharmaceutical dispensing system. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the moving comprises pressing a petal. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the dispensing occurs in a glove box. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the dispensing comprises transferring a radiopharmaceutical into a dispensing tip of a radiopharmaceutical dispensing system. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising measuring an activity of the radiopharmaceutical. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising confirming the activity of the radiopharmaceutical after the measuring. 
   
   
       39 . The method of any of  claims 30 , wherein the radiopharmaceutical comprises an initial concentration in excess of 1,000 millicuries per milliliter.