Unit dose syringe shield and measuring applicator

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals, and more particularly to a radionuclide syringe shield and dose measuring applicator.

[0003] Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive material which are widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and body disorders. Radiopharmaceuticals are typically injected into the body of a patient by means of a hypodermic syringe. The repeated exposure to radioactive materials may over time present serious health hazards to the person preparing and administering the injection. This hazard is a result of radiation emanating from radioactive material which is to be injected.

[0004] Nuclear medicine technologists may receive significant radiation exposure when repeatedly handling radiopharmaceuticals, particularly high-energy radionuclides such as, for example, F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose. The technologists are particularly at risk when preparing the dose prior to injection and following injection from direct exposure to the patient. However, the latter can be avoided by increasing the distance from the patient while injecting the dose and decreasing time spent near the patient after the injection.

[0005] The exposure during the dose measuring procedure occurs when the dose is removed from the shipping container, when the dose is placed into and removed from the well counter and when the dose is inserted into the syringe shield. For example, the technologist'supper extremities receive a significant dose of radiation during the time the dose is unshielded. The prior art shields (pigs) do not allow for measurement unless the syringe is removed from them resulting in direct exposure to the technologist's upper extremities.

[0006] What is needed is an apparatus that will allow the measuring procedure to be carried out without the radionuclide being directly exposed to the technologist. What is further needed is the ability of the same apparatus to act as a syringe shield to be taken to the patient for injection.

[0007] It is an aspect of the present invention to shield the technologist from radionuclide exposure while inserting the hypodermic syringe into a well counter.

[0008] It is another aspect of the present invention to allow a measuring procedure to be carried out without the radionuclide in the hypodermic syringe being directly exposed to the technologist.

[0009] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide radiation shielding when the hypodermic syringe is being used to inject the patient.

[0010] To accomplish these and other aspects of the present invention an apparatus that shields radiopharmaceuticals and protects individuals from radioactivity that includes a first body with a first hollow core open on a first edge and a second edge. The first hollow core surrounds an insert containing a hypodermic syringe. There is a second body with a second hollow core open on a first edge and closed on a second edge. The second hollow core surrounds the insert with the hypodermic syringe. A third body with a third hollow core open on an first edge has the third hollow core fixedly communicating with a hollow stem open on a second edge. The third hollow core surrounds the insert with the hypodermic syringe. A first connection means releasably communicates the first body with the second body and a second communication means releasably communicates with the first body and third body for providing protection from the radioactivity. A third connection means releasably communicates the third body with a dose applicator for injecting and measuring the radiopharmaceuticals in the hypodermic syringe. Finally, the dose applicator is for positioning the insert and the hypodermic syringe into and out of the first and third body whereby said individuals easily measure, transport and inject the radiopharmaceutical in the hypodermic syringe.

[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the description being used to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates the cross section view of the syringe shield without the dose measuring applicator.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates the cross-section view of the dose measuring applicator.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the cross-section view of the insert device.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates the end-view of the insert device.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates the cross-section view of the syringe shield, transporter and dose measuring applicator with a hypodermic syringe.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates the cross-section view of the syringe shield and dose measuring applicator with a hypodermic syringe being positioned into a well counter.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates the cross-section of the syringe shield with hypodermic syringe ready to be injected into a patient.

[0019] While the present invention is described below with reference to a syringe shield, a practitioner in the art will recognize the principles of the present invention are applicable elsewhere.

[0020] As can be seen in FIG. 5, apparatus 10 is illustrated in a cross-section view of the syringe shield and transporter with dose applicator 18. The apparatus 10 transports a radiopharmaceutical 26 and protects individuals from radiation generated therefrom. A first body 11 releasably communicates with a second body 12 and a third body 13. The second edge first body 11eprovides a releasably first communication means 33 with the first edge second body 12hbetween the first body 11 and the second body 12. The first edge first body 11fprovides a releasably second communication means 34 with the first edge third body 13jbetween the first body 11 and the third body 13. A disposable insert device 20 containing a hypodermic syringe 25 is internally positioned (housed) by the first hollow core 23ain the first body 11. The first hollow core 23ais open on a first edge first body 11fand second edge first body 11e. A disposable insert device 20 containing a hypodermic syringe 25 is internally positioned (housed) by the second hollow core 23bin the second body 12. The second hollow core 23bis open on a first edge second body 12hand closed on the second edge second body 12d. A disposable insert device 20 containing a hypodermic syringe 25 is internally positioned (housed) by the third hollow core 23cin the third body 13. The third hollow core 23cis open on an first edge third body 13jand fixedly communicates with a hollow stem 23dthat is open on a second edge third body 13i.

[0021] A first connection means 33 releasably communicates the first body 11 with the second body 12 to provide protection from radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical 26. A second connection means 34 releasably communicates the first body 11 with the third body 13 to provide protection from radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical 26. A third connection means 35 releasably communicates the third body 13 with the locking nut 15 of the dose measuring applicator 18 or cap 14 shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] An applicator rod 16 of the dose measuring applicator 18 is connected to the disposable insert 20 by a fifth female thread 16bat the first end 16dof the applicator rod 16. The applicator rod 16 slideably communicates with the third body 13 within the hollow stem 23dwhich is located between the fourth edge third body 13fand the third hollow core 23cof the third body 13. This allows the hypodermic syringe 25 with the radiopharmaceutical 26 to be positioned into and out of the first body 11 and third body 13 when the second body 12 is removed from the apparatus 10. A third connection means 35 includes a locking nut 15 that releasably secures the rod 16 of the dose applicator 18 to the third body 13. The third connection means 35 releasably communicates the locking nut inner recessed edge 15dand the locking nut inner edge 15eto the second edge third body 13iand the fourth edge third body 13fof the third body 13. The locking nut 15 releasably secures the dose applicator 18 to the third body 13 and provides an additional radiation shield 29 stopping radiation leakage from the hollow stem 23d. The radiation shield 29 is provided by various radiation shielding material used in the construction of the first body 11, the second body 12, the third body 13 and the locking nut 15.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the invention the radiation shielding material is typically lead. However, in many applications although lead is an excellent radiation shielding material it is unsuitable because it is too heavy and insufficiently flexible. Consequently, as is known by the practitioner in the art, the radiation shielding material is any material that will attenuate the photons released from the radioactive agent. For example, a radiation shielding material is obtainable from lead acrylate or lead methacrylate combined by polymerizing it at a temperature above the melting point in admixture with a copolymerizable monomer such as methyl methacrylate. Furthermore, another radiation shielding material comprises an elastomeric or rubbery plastics material filled with lead particles. These materials combine the excellent radiation shielding properties of lead with other materials that weigh less than lead to provide a good radiation shield that is flexible and not too heavy.

[0024] Another commonly utilized radiation shielding material is tungsten. When tungsten, a tungsten compound or a tungsten based alloy is used as the material with high radiation absorptivity, where the γ-ray absorption coefficient of tungsten is not less than about 1 when the energy of the γ-ray is 511 KeV or greater, there is provided a safe radiation shielding material. For example, one such tungsten compound with high radiation absorptivity is a tungsten powder that is not less than 80% by weight or greater than 95% by weight combined with vulcanized rubber. The tungsten powder in combination with the vulcanized rubber has particle sizes in the range of about 4 μg to 100 μm. When a tungsten alloy is used for the radiation shielding material a typical combination includes but is not limited to a hard-fine grained internally stressed material of tungsten and carbon or tungsten, carbon and oxygen.

[0025] Now referring to FIG. 1 the apparatus 10 is illustrated with the first body 11 communicating with the second body 12 and the first body 11 communicating with the third body 13 and a cap 14. The cap 14 communicates with the third body 13. The hypodermic syringe and disposable insert (FIG. 5) are not shown. The first body 11 has a first hollow core 23athat is machined all the way through body 11 from the first edge first body 11fto the second edge first body 11e. The diameter of the first hollow core 23athat forms the first inner surface 11bis a variety of sizes depending on the hypodermic syringe to be used. The first body 11 shape is defined by the first outer surface 11aand is typically machined.

[0026] However, as is know by the practitioner of the art that machining the first body 11 first inner surface 11band first outer surface 11ais substitutable by casting the first body 11.

[0027] Furthermore, the first edge first body 11fand second edge first body 11eare typically formed in parallel planes. The connection means at the first edge first body 11fis typically a first male thread 11dthat is formed starting at the first edge first body 11fat a diameter that is smaller than the first outer surface 11aand larger than the diameter of the first inner surface 11b. Typically, the first male thread 11ddiameter is formed in the range of about 70% of the diameter of the first outer surface 11aand machined back from the first edge first body 11fabout 15% the overall length of the first body 11.

[0028] The connection means at the second edge first body 11eis typically a second male thread 11cthat is formed starting at the second edge first body 11eat a diameter that is smaller than the first outer surface 11aand larger than the diameter of the first inner surface 11b. Typically, the second male thread 11cdiameter is formed in the range of about 70% of the diameter of the first outer surface 11aand machined back from the second edge first body 11eabout 15% the overall length of the first body 11. The first male thread 11dand the second male thread 11care typically and unified fine thread or a unified coarse thread.

[0029] Depending on the application the male thread connection means are substitutable for female threads, a locking nut arrangement or a compression flange arrangement. Finally, the first outer surface 11ais cylindrical in shape with a diameter that provides enough radiation shielding material between itself and the first inner surface 11bto protect against radiation exposure. The cylindrical shape is substitutable for any circular or polyhedron shape.

[0030] The second body 12 has a second hollow core 23bthat is machined from the third edge second body 12eto a point that is about 25% of the length of the second body 12 from the second edge second body 12d. The diameter of the second hollow core 23bthat forms the second inner surface 12bis a variety of sizes depending on the hypodermic syringe to be used. The second body 12 shape is defined by the first tapered outer surface 12aand second outer surface 12gand is typically machined. However, as is know by the practitioner of the art that machining the second body 12 second inner surface 12b, first tapered outer surface 12aand second outer surface 12gis substitutable by casting the second body 12. Furthermore, the third edge second body 12eand the second edge 12dsecond body are typically formed in parallel planes. The second connection means 34 at the third edge second body 12eis typically a first female thread 12fthat is formed starting at the third edge second body 12eat a diameter that is smaller than the first tapered outer surface 12aand larger than the diameter of the second inner surface 12b. Typically, the first female thread 12fdiameter is formed in the range of about 70% of the diameter of the first tapered outer surface 12aand machined back from the third edge second body 12eabout 15% the overall length of the second body 12. The first female thread 12fis typically and unified fine thread or a unified coarse thread. However, depending on the application the female thread connection means are substitutable for a male thread, a locking nut arrangement or a compression flange arrangement.

[0031] There is an annular ridge 23ethat is formed to provide a means for the disposable insert (shown in FIG. 5) to be coaxially secured to the third inner surface 12c. The diameter of the third inner surface 12cdepends on the size of the hypodermic syringe (shown in FIG. 5) to be used. The diameter is typically the size to fit a disposable insert that accepts 3 cc and 5 cc syringes. Finally, the first tapered outer surface 12aand second outer surface 12gare cylindrical in shape with a diameter that provides enough radiation shielding material between itself and the second inner surface 12bto protect against radiation exposure. The cylindrical shape is substitutable for any circular or polyhedron shape.

[0032] The third body 13 has a third hollow core 23cthat is machined from the third edge third body 13eto a point that is about 25% of the length of the third body 13 from the second edge third body 13i. The diameter of the third hollow core 23cthat forms the fourth inner surface 13bis a variety of sizes depending on the hypodermic syringe to be used. The third body 13 shape is defined by the second tapered outer surface 13aand the third outer surface 13g and is typically machined. However, as is know by the practitioner of the art that machining the third body 13 fourth inner surface 13b, second tapered outer surface 13aand the third outer surface 13gis substitutable by casting the third body 13. Furthermore, the third edge third body 13e, the fourth edge third body 13f, the second edge third body 13iand the first edge third body 13jare typically formed in parallel planes. The third connection 35 means at the third edge third body 13eis typically a second female thread 13hthat is formed starting at the third edge third body 13eat a diameter that is smaller than the third outer surface 13gand larger than the diameter of the fourth inner surface 13b. Typically, the second female thread 13hdiameter is formed in the range of about 70% of the diameter of the third outer surface 13gand machined back from the third edge third body 13eabout 15% the overall length of the third body 13.

[0033] The third connection means 35 at the second edge third body 13iis typically a third male thread 13d that is formed starting at the second edge third body 13iat a diameter that is smaller than the second tapered outer surface 13aand larger than the diameter of the fourth inner surface 13b. Typically, the third male thread 13d diameter is formed in the range of about 35% of the diameter of the third outer surface 13gand machined back from the second edge third body 13iabout 15% the overall length of the third body 13. The second female thread 13hand the third male thread 13dare typically and unified fine thread or a unified coarse thread. However, depending on the application the male thread connection means is substitutable for female threads, a locking nut arrangement or a compression flange arrangement. Also, the female thread connection means is substitutable for male threads, a locking nut arrangement or a compression flange arrangement.

[0034] The hollow stem 23dthat is formed by the fifth inner surface 13cis machined slightly larger than the application rod 16 that is shown in FIG. 2. The hollow stem 23dextends from the seventh edge 13iback into the third hollow core 23c. Furthermore, the second tapered outer surface 13aand the third outer surface 13gare cylindrical in shape with a diameter that provides enough radiation shielding material between itself and the fourth inner surface 13bto protect against radiation exposure. Finally, the cylindrical shape is substitutable for any circular or polyhedron shape.

[0035] The cap 14 has a cap outer surface 14athat is less in diameter than the narrowest diameter of the second tapered outer surface 13a. The cap 14 has an overall length extending from the cap inner edge 14dto the cap outer edge 14b. This length is typically about 30% of the length of the first body 11. A third connection means 35 extends from the cap inner edge 14dto the cap recessed edge 14e. The third connection means 35 is typically a third female thread 14cand is recessed into the cap 14 about 30% of the overall length of cap 14. However, as is known by the practitioner in the art the female thread is substitutable for a male thread, lock nut arrangement or a compression flange arrangement depending on the application. The material of cap 14 is various radiation shielding material including but not limited to, for example, tungsten or lead. The amount of material required is that which provides little or no leaking of radiation from the second edge third body 13i.

[0036] The syringe shield (pig), apparatus 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1 shows the cap 14 communicating with the third body 13, the third body 13 communicating with the first body 11 and the first body 11 communicating with the second body 12. The first edge first body 11f, the second edge first body 11e, the second edge second body 12d, the third edge second body 12e, the third edge third body 13e, the fourth edge third body 13f, the second edge third body 13i, the first edge third body 13jand the first edge second body 12hare all formed in a parallel plane to one another. The cap 14 is securely fastened to the third body 13 by axially threading the third male thread 13dinto the third female thread 14cuntil the fourth edge third body 13fand the cap inner edge 14dare in snug-fitting contact. The third body 13 is securely fastened to the first body 11 by axially threading the first male thread 11dinto the second female thread 13huntil the first edge first body 11fand the first edge third body 13jare in snug-fitting contact. The first body 11 is securely fastened to the second body 12 by axially threading the second male thread 11cinto the first female thread 12funtil the first edge second body 12hand the second edge first body 11eare in snug-fitting contact. FIG. 1 does not show the hypodermic syringe 25 and the disposable insert 20 that is shown in FIG. 5. The cap 14 is used when only transporting the hypodermic syringe 25. Finally, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the first outer surface 11a, the second outer surface 12gand the third outer surface 13gare in alignment with their surface peripheries radially flush.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the dose measuring applicator 18 communicating with and securely fastened to the third body 13. The dose applicator 18 is used when it is desired to load the hypodermic syringe 25 (shown in FIG. 5) into a well counter allowing continued radiation shielding. The dose applicator 18 consists of an applicator rod 16, a connector 16aand a locking nut 15. The connector 16ais typically an eye bolt or some other suitable connection structure such as a clip, flange, threaded pipe or the like. The connector 16ais attached to the rod 16 at the second end 16e. The outer rod surface 16cdefines the periphery and the size of rod 16. The diameter of the outer rod surface 16cand the length of rod 16 varies depending on the application. At the first end 16dof the rod 16 is a fourth connection means 36 that is a fifth female thread 16band a second section male thread 21clocated on the disposable insert 20. Alternately, the female thread 16bis substitutable for a male thread in a different application. Likewise, the second section male thread 21cis substitutable for a female thread in a different application. The 5th inner surface 13cdiameter is always greater in diameter than the fifth female thread connector outside surface 16fdiameter. This allows the rod 16 to be slideably removed or inserted into the third hollow core 23cof the third body 13.

[0038] At the third connection means 35, a locking nut 15 connects the applicator rod 16 of the dose applicator 18 to the third body 13 allowing the rod 16 to slide but not allow the rod 16 to be completely removed from the third body 13. The locking nut 15 varies in size depending on the application with the locking nut outer surface 15ahaving a diameter that is about 60% greater than the diameter of the third make thread 13d. The locking nut outer edge 15fand the locking nut inner edge 15eare formed in the same parallel plane and match the parallel plane of the fourth edge third body 13f. A fourth female thread 15cis formed with a diameter that is about twice as large as the diameter of the fifth inner surface 13c. The depth of the fourth female thread 15cmatches the length of the third male thread 13dand is formed to the locking nut inner recessed edge 15d. A locking nut inner surface 15bdiameter is formed with a diameter that is slightly larger than the applicator rod outer surface 16cdiameter. This produces a small gap 19 and because the gap is small the locking nut 15 provides additional shielding of the radiation from the radionuclide contained in the third hollow core 23cof the third body 13. It also allows the dose measuring applicator 18 to slideably extend into or retract from the third hollow core 23cof the third body 13. An o-ring 37 fits snuggly into an annular recess 38 that is formed in the locking nut inner surface 15bat the locking nut inner recessed edge 15d. The annular recess 38 is formed by machining it into the locking nut 15. However, the machining of the annular recess 38 is substitutable for casting the annular recess 38 into the locking nut 15. The o-ring 37 prevents slippage of the applicator rod 16 because the o-ring internal surface 37ais positioned providing a snug-fit against the applicator rod outer surface 16c.

[0039] After the dose measuring applicator 18 (rod 16) is inserted into the third hollow core 23cof the third body 13, the locking nut 15 is rotated on the third male thread 13d. This occurs until the fourth edge third body 13ftightly contacts the locking nut inner edge 15eand the fourth edge third body 13ftightly contacts the locking nut inner recessed edge 15d.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a cross-section illustration of the disposable insert 20. The disposable insert 20 consists of a first section 21 and a second section 22. The first section 21 is separable from the second section 22 at the insert perforation 21b. The first section inner surface 21dhas a diameter large enough to allow a 3 cc or 5 cc hypodermic syringe to be inserted. The second section inner surface 22bhas a diameter large enough to allow a 3 cc or 5 cc hypodermic syringe to be inserted. The first section inner surface 21dand the second section inner surface 22btypically have the same diameter that allows the first section inner surface to be radially flush with the second section inner surface. As is know in the art the first section inner surface 21ddiameter and the second section inner surface 22bdiameter are substitutable for various sizes depending on the size of the hypodermic syringe to be inserted into the first section 21 and the second section 22. The first section outer surface 21adiameter is radially flush with the second section outer surface 22a. The first section second outer surface 21fdiameter is greater than the first section first outer surface 21a. The transition from the first section first outer surface 21ato the first section second outer surface 21fis in the shape of a tapered cylinder or a cone. The length of the cone is equivalent to the distance between the disposable insert annular ridge 23eand the ninth edge 12has shown in FIG. 1.

[0041] The first section second outer surface 21f is about the same diameter as the diameter of the third inner surface 12c. The first section first outer surface 21aand the second section outer surface 22ais about the same diameter as the first inner surface 11band the fourth inner surface 13b. The fit between the first section first outer surface 21aand the second section outer surface 22ais a snug-fit with the first inner surface 11band the fourth inner surface 13b. A cover 30 is positioned on the second end 22dwith a cover outer surface 30aand cover inner surface 30bdefining the thickness of the cover 30. The cover inner surface 30bdiameter is slightly larger than the first section second outer surface 21fdiameter providing a snug-fit when the cover 30 is positioned on the second end 22d.

[0042] A first section annular lip 21eis located on the first section inner surface 21dwhere the first section first outer surface 21abegins transitioning to the first section second outer surface 21f. The first section annular lip 21eallows the hypodermic syringe 25, as shown in FIG. 5, to snugly-fit into the disposable insert 20. Finally, on the first end 22cthere is a connection means that in the preferred embodiment of the invention is a second section male thread 21c. This second section male thread 21cis rotatably positioned into the fifth female thread 16bof the dose measuring applicator 18 as shown in FIG. 2. The second section male thread 21cis rotatably positioned until there is a snug-fit between it and the fifth female thread 16b. Alternately, the second section male thread 21cis substitutable for a female thread in another application. FIG. 4 shows the end view of the disposable insert with the second end 22dand the first section annular lip 21e. A hypodermic syringe (not shown) is inserted into the disposable insert 20 until it snugly-fits against the first section annular lip 21e.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows apparatus 10 being loaded into a well counter 28. The well counter 28 typically has an insert 27 that the apparatus 10 is set into to allow the hypodermic syringe 25 to be loaded and measured at the well counter 28. The dose measuring applicator 18 is attached to the disposable insert 20 that has a hypodermic syringe 25 loaded into it. The apparatus 10 has the second body (not shown) removed from the first body 11 and the third body 13 before being loaded into the well counter 28. The radiation emitted from the radiopharniaceutical 26 in the hypodermic syringe is still shielded by apparatus 10 as the hypodermic syringe 25 is being loaded into the well counter 28. The dose measuring applicator 18 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 31 to load the syringe 25 into the well counter 28. The well counter typically contains shielding of radiation from the radiopharmaceutical. When the radiation from the radiopharnaceutical 26 has been measured in the well counter 28 the dose measuring applicator 18 is pulled in the opposite direction of arrow 31 inserting the disposable insert 20 that contains the hypodermic syringe back into the protective shielding of apparatus 10.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates apparatus 10 with the hypodermic syringe 25 in another embodiment of the invention where the radiopharmaceutical 26 in hypodermic syringe 25 can be injected into a patient. The first body 11 is the radionuclei shield surrounding the disposable insert 20 with the hypodermic syringe 25 filled with a radiopharmaceutical 26. The radiation shield is constructed of various radiation shielding materials including, but not limited to, lead and tungsten. When the radiopharmaceutical 26 is going to be injected into a patient the second section 22 of the disposable insert 20 is removed from the first section 21 at insert perforation 21b. This is accomplished without exposing anyone to the radiation emanating from the radiopharmaceutical 26. The hypodermic syringe is ready to be injected into a patient once the needle cover 32 is removed.

[0045] While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications are likely to occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.