Molecular imaging vial transport container and fluid injection system interface

Abstract

A pharmaceutical transport container includes a first body portion adapted to receive at least a portion of a pharmaceutical vial, a second body portion removably engaged with the first body portion to fully enclose the vial, and, optionally, a ratcheting mechanism to permit rotation of the cap member relative to the second body portion upon application of rotational force of a predetermined amount. A pharmaceutical transport container may also include, for example, a guide tab extending from an exterior surface of the second body portion to engage a guide slot defined in a fluid injection system docking station, whereby the transport container translates axially and rotationally into the docking station to establish a fluid connection between the vial and a fluid connector mechanism or element disposed within the docking station.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical transport container, comprising:
 a first body portion adapted to receive at least a portion of a pharmaceutical vial and defining an opening for establishing fluid communication with the vial, and comprising a proximal end, the first body portion defining a hollow interior cavity to accept at least a cap end of the pharmaceutical vial and engage a neck of the pharmaceutical vial;   a second body portion engaged with the first body portion to fully enclose the vial, the second body portion having a distal end engaged with the proximal end of the first body portion and a closed proximal end, and defining an interior cavity adapted to receive a body of the pharmaceutical vial therebetween, wherein the interior cavity can receive different sized pharmaceutical vials; and   wherein the second body portion is adapted to cooperate with a receiving docking station of a fluid injection system to establish a fluid connection between the vial and a fluid connector element disposed within the docking station as the second body portion is inserted axially into the docking station.   
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one guide tab extending radially from an exterior surface of the second body portion or within the docking station, the at least one guide tab configured to engage at least one guide slot defined in the exterior surface of the second body portion or defined within the receiving docking station, such that engagement of the at least on guide tab with the at least one guide slot causes the second body portion to translate axially into the docking station to establish the fluid connection between the vial and the fluid connector element disposed within the docking station as a result of the axial translation. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one guide slot is helical. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 1 , wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are formed of radiation-shielding material. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutical vial is a radiopharmaceutical vial. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable end cap comprising an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a receiving chamber adapted to receive the first body portion therein to cover the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one guide tab extending radially from an exterior surface of the second body portion or within the removable end cap, the at least one guide tab configured to engage at least one guide slot defined in the exterior surface of the second body portion or defined within the removable end cap, such that engagement of the at least on guide tab with the at least one guide slot causes the second body portion to translate axially into the receiving chamber of the removable end cap. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 1 , wherein the first body portion is a clamshell member having a first portion and a second portion hingedly connected to the first portion. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the clamshell hingedly moves to abut the first portion and enclose at least a discharge portion of the pharmaceutical vial. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 1 , wherein by engaging the neck of the pharmaceutical vial, the pharmaceutical vial is positioned and aligned in the first body portion to engage the fluid connector element of the docking station, regardless of the size of the body of the pharmaceutical vial. 
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical transport container, comprising:
 a first body portion adapted to receive at least a portion of a pharmaceutical vial and defining an opening for establishing fluid communication with the vial, and comprising a proximal end, the first body portion defining a hollow interior cavity to accept at least a cap end of the pharmaceutical vial and engage a neck of the pharmaceutical vial;   a second body portion engaged with the first body portion to fully enclose the vial, the second body portion having a distal end engaged with the proximal end of the first body portion and a closed proximal end and defining an interior cavity adapted to receive a body of the pharmaceutical vial therebetween, wherein the interior cavity can receive different sized pharmaceutical vials;   a removable end cap comprising an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a receiving chamber to receive the first body portion therein to cover the opening; and   wherein the second body portion is adapted to cooperate with the receiving chamber of the end cap such that the second body portion is guided axially into the receiving chamber of the end cap.   
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one guide tab extending radially from an exterior surface of the second body portion or within the receiving chamber of the end cap, the at least one guide tab engageable within at least one guide slot defined in the exterior surface of the second body portion or within the receiving chamber, the at least one guide slot oriented such that engagement of the at least on guide tab with the at least one guide slot causes the second body portion to translate axially into the receiving chamber of the end cap. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 12 , wherein the guide slot is helical. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one guide tab or at least one guide slot of the second body portion is further adapted to cooperatively engage with at least one guide slot or at least one guide slot, respectively, on a receiving docking station of a fluid injection system to cause the second body portion to translate axially into the docking station to establish a fluid connection between the vial and a fluid connector element disposed within the docking station as a result of the axial translation as the second body portion is inserted axially into the docking station. 
     
     
         15 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 11 , wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are formed of radiation-shielding material. 
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 9 , wherein the first body portion is a clamshell member having a first portion and a second portion hingedly connected to the first portion. 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical transport container of  claim 16 , wherein by engaging the neck of the pharmaceutical vial, the pharmaceutical vial is positioned and aligned in the first body portion to engage the fluid connector element of the docking station, regardless of the size of the body of the pharmaceutical vial. 
     
     
         18 . A pharmaceutical fluid injection system, comprising:
 a pharmaceutical transport container comprising:
 a first body portion adapted to receive at least a portion of a pharmaceutical vial and defining an opening for establishing fluid communication with the vial, and comprising a proximal end, the first body portion defining a hollow interior cavity to accept at least a cap end of the pharmaceutical vial and engage a neck of the pharmaceutical vial; and 
 a second body portion engaged with the first body portion to fully enclose the vial, the second body portion having a distal end engaged with the proximal end of the first body portion and a closed proximal end, and defining an interior cavity adapted to receive a body of the pharmaceutical vial therebetween, wherein the interior cavity can receive different sized pharmaceutical vials; and 
   a docking station to axially receive the pharmaceutical transport container therein, the docking station comprising a fluid connector element to establish fluid connection with the vial as the pharmaceutical transport container is received axially into the docking station.   
     
     
         19 . The pharmaceutical fluid injection system of  claim 18  further comprising at least one guide tab extending radially from an exterior surface of the second body portion or within the docking station, the at least one guide tab configured to engage at least one guide slot defined in the exterior surface of the second body portion or defined within the receiving docking station, the at least one guide slot oriented such that engagement of the at least on guide tab with the at least one guide slot causes the second body portion to translate axially into the docking station to establish the fluid connection between the vial and a fluid connector element disposed within the docking station as a result of the axial translation. 
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical fluid injection system of  claim 18 , wherein the docking station comprises a guide collar, the guide slot defined in an interior surface of the guide collar. 
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical fluid injection system of  claim 18 , wherein the fluid connector element comprises a vial spike to puncture a vial stopper at a cap end of the vial.