Cooler for use in medical applications

Abstract

A cooler for maintaining a medical material at a temperature below ambient room temperature preferably includes a housing and a thermoelectric cooler having a hot side and a cold side and coupled to and supported by the housing. The fluid mover thermally contacts the fluid with the hot side to remove heat from the hot side. First and second vial receivers are in thermal contact with the cold side of the cooler for receiving vials containing first and second medical materials. An agitator is provided for agitating the medical material in the first vial and / or the second vial.

Description

I. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to coolers, and more particularly, to coolers for use in medical applications. II. Background Technology

[0002] Medical products typically require storage under controlled refrigeration conditions for a period of time to maintain a temperature below the typical ambient temperature of their storage room. Additionally, some products require agitation during storage to ensure a uniform distribution of their components or materials and to prevent them from reverting to an undesirable state of separation or condensation.

[0003] One type of such material is implantable material, such as implantable radioactive particle suspensions. An example of such an implantable radioactive particle suspension is shown in U.S. Patent No. 11,478,557, issued October 25, 2022, by Korenko et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The Korenko Patent is the property of the applicant of this invention.

[0004] Materials like these typically require special handling. Generally, the material is prepared at the manufacturer, packaged into vials, and then usually shipped expedited to the point of use, typically a hospital or clinic. At the hospital or clinic, the vials, which are then stored or transported, are eventually sent to the treatment room or operating room, where the material will be implanted into the patient. While the implantable material is in the treatment room or operating room, the vials must be both cooled and agitated.

[0005] Before implantable materials are implanted into a patient, they are transferred from transport vials to administration or implantation vials, such as syringes used to administer medication to the patient. When using a syringe, this administration involves injecting the material into the patient. Preferably, this is done before or early in the procedure so that the syringe containing the implantable material can be used when the physician decides on the implantable material.

[0006] Therefore, the applicant finds it helpful to provide a device that can not only cool and maintain vials for storage / transportation but also for application / implantation of vials such as syringes. One object of the invention is to provide such a device for holding vials and to provide a cooler that can both agitate the implantable medical material and maintain it at a temperature below normal ambient temperature. In this regard, ambient room temperature is generally considered to be in the range of 67°F to 78°F. III. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a cooler is provided for maintaining medical materials at a temperature below ambient room temperature.

[0008] The cooler preferably includes a housing having an interior configured to receive multiple components. A thermoelectric cooler is coupled to and supported by the housing. The thermoelectric cooler includes a hot side and a cold side. A fluid mover is provided for moving fluid to make thermal contact with the hot side to remove heat from it.

[0009] A first vial receiver is positioned in thermal contact with the cold side of a thermoelectric cooler and configured to receive a first vial, the interior of which is configured to receive medical material. A second vial receiver is also provided, which is in thermal contact with the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. The second vial receiver is configured to receive a second vial, the interior of which is configured to receive medical material. A stirrer is provided for stirring the medical material in the first and / or second vials.

[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, the first vial receiver includes at least two first vial receivers configured for transporting and / or storing medical materials. The first vial receiver may include a plastic container having a metal bottom to facilitate heat transfer between the container's exterior and interior, and the container may be made of a radiation-attenuating material.

[0011] Furthermore, the first vial may include at least two first vials, and the stirrer is configured to stir the medical material in the first two vials. Additionally, at least one applicator may be provided, configured to administer the medical material to a patient, and the cooler may include at least one applicator receiver in thermal contact with a thermoelectric cooler to maintain the medical material in the applicator at a temperature below ambient temperature.

[0012] Furthermore, the applicator may include a body having an outer surface, an inner surface defining an internal needle engagement end, an open plunger receiving proximal end, and an insertable plunger. The outer surface of the body includes an annular groove configured to be engaged by a user's finger to facilitate movement of the plunger relative to the body.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the applicator may include a body having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a distal end of needle engagement, a proximal end of an open plunger receiving portion, and an insertable plunger. The inner surface of the body may include an annular groove configured to be engaged by a user's finger to facilitate movement of the plunger relative to the body.

[0014] A locking mechanism may be provided, which engages with the applicator and the applicator receiver to securely position the applicator and the applicator receiver. The locking mechanism includes a slot formed at the proximal end of the applicator receiver and a wing screw that can be inserted into the slot and engages with an annular groove of the applicator.

[0015] The cooler may also include an applicator receiver coupled to the housing and itself comprising a tubular cavity having an open proximal end and a closed distal end for receiving the applicator. The proximal end of the tubular cavity is positioned higher than the distal end so that the applicator placed therein is positioned at an angle relative to the placement surface on which the cooler is placed.

[0016] The cooler may also include an applicator receiver and an applicator configured to apply medical materials to a patient. The applicator receiver may include at least one tubular channel configured to receive the applicator within the channel.

[0017] Additionally, an applicator receiving radiation shield may be provided, having a hollow interior for receiving the applicator internally, and an applicator locking mechanism that can engage between the radiation shield and the applicator to retain the applicator within the hollow interior of the radiation shield. The applicator may include an angular recess, and the locking mechanism may include a threaded screw, one end of which is received in the angular recess of the applicator.

[0018] The cooler may also include an applicator receiver comprising a thermally conductive support member coupled to the housing and in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler. The support member may include at least two tubular channels configured to receive a tubular applicator having a proximal end and a distal end. The two tubular channels include a proximal end with opposing protrusions for receiving the proximal end of the syringe-shaped applicator, and a distal end for receiving the distal end of the applicator, such that the applicator is positioned at an angle relative to a placement surface on which the cooler is placed.

[0019] Preferably, the housing includes a first housing member for housing the fluid mover, a second housing member on which a thermoelectric cooler is mounted, and a third housing member coupled to the applicator receiver. The applicator receiver is in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler.

[0020] Most preferably, the housing includes a lower housing member and a radiator that is in thermal contact with the outside of the thermoelectric cooler, and wherein the housing includes an opening for allowing cooling fluid to pass between the ambient atmosphere and the interior of the housing and the radiator.

[0021] Preferably, the fluid mover includes an air mover for drawing ambient air into the interior of the first housing member, moving the ambient air through the applicator and into the interior of the first housing member, moving the air through the radiator to absorb heat from the radiator, and discharging the heat from the radiator from the housing through orifices. A radiator receiving chamber may also be provided for encapsulating the radiator.

[0022] Alternatively, a container can be provided for encapsulating vials containing radioactive material. The container is made of a radiation-attenuating material and has a bottom, sidewalls including an outer surface and an inner surface, an internal cavity defined by the inner surface and having a top opening, and a thickness defined by the distance between the inner and outer surfaces. A cap member can be placed above the top opening. The cap member has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a thickness defined by the distance between the top and bottom surfaces.

[0023] The thickness of the cap components and the sidewalls is sufficient to absorb enough radiation emitted by the radioactive material, thereby keeping the radioactivity level on the outside of the container at an acceptable and safe level.

[0024] Preferably, a locking mechanism is provided for retaining the second container within the first container. The container includes a metal bottom for facilitating cooling of the radioactive material contained within the first and second containers.

[0025] These and other features and advantages will be described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description, but are limited only by the scope of the claims contained herein. IV. Description of the attached drawings

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the cooler of the present invention, showing a partial disassembly of the housing, in which the top and middle components have been removed to expose the thermoelectric (Peltier) cooler and radiator;

[0027] Figure 1A It is a further exploded view, similar to Figure 3 The image shows the fan assembly of the air handling section of the cooler being removed from one of the radiators.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the cooler, with some components shown transparently.

[0029] Figure 2 A is a perspective view of an exemplary thermoelectric or Peltier cooler;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a front perspective view of the present invention, in which some components are shown in a transparent manner;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the magnetic stirrer assembly of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A is a front view of the vent portion of the air handling unit;

[0033] Figure 4 B is a perspective view of the board;

[0034] Figure 5This is another left rear-perspective view of the cooler, with some components shown transparently;

[0035] Figure 6 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of the portion shown;

[0036] Figure 7 This is an enlarged perspective view of the front part of the cooler, showing the syringe inserted into the syringe receiving component and a part of the air handling assembly;

[0037] Figure 8 This is another perspective view showing the front and top sections of the cooler;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a bottom perspective view showing a portion of the upper assembly and the magnetic stirring assembly;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a top partial view of the cooler, taken from above, showing the vial receiving component, including its cover;

[0040] Figure 11 This is a side view of the protective syringe of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 11 A is a prior art protective injector, wherein the components of the prior art device are marked with "a" after the part number;

[0042] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the radiation shielding component for the syringe of the present invention, showing the syringe coupled thereto;

[0043] Figure 12A This is a top view of the syringe guard of the present invention, on which the syringe is not coupled;

[0044] Figure 12B This is a side view of the syringe protective component of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 12C This is a cross-sectional view of the syringe protective component of the present invention;

[0046] Figures 13-24 This is a view of a cooler according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein:

[0047] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the upper housing component of an optional embodiment;

[0048] Figure 14 This is a front-biased isometric view of the upper outer shell component of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 15 This is a front isometric view of the cooler in an optional embodiment, showing the power plug;

[0050] Figure 16 This is a front perspective view of the present invention, shown in a transparent manner;

[0051] Figure 17 This is another front perspective view of the cooler in an optional embodiment, shown in a transparent manner;

[0052] Figure 18 It is along Figure 21 A sectional view taken from line 22-22;

[0053] Figure 19 This is a rear perspective view of an optional embodiment of the present invention, shown in solid form;

[0054] Figure 20 This is another rear perspective view of the invention, shown in solid form;

[0055] Figure 21 It is along Figure 24 A sectional view taken from line 25-25;

[0056] Figure 22 It is along Figure 25 A sectional view taken from line 26-26;

[0057] Figure 23 It is along Figure 24 A sectional view taken from line 27-27;

[0058] Figure 24 It is along Figure 24 A cross-sectional view taken from line 28-28;

[0059] Figure 25 This is a side perspective view of the syringe protective component and vial protective component of this application;

[0060] Figure 26 yes Figure 14 A perspective view of the syringe guard after the syringe has been inserted;

[0061] Figure 27 This is a side perspective view of the bottle protector in Figure 29, which contains the small bottle;

[0062] Figure 28 An exemplary radiation-attenuating transport container according to the first form of this application is depicted;

[0063] Figures 29A-29G Another form of optional radiation-attenuated transport container according to this application is depicted;

[0064] Figure 30 It depicts, as shown in Figure 29- Figure 29G The radiation attenuation transport container is in a fully assembled configuration;

[0065] Figure 31 Depicting Figure 28 The radiation-attenuated transport container is in a ready-to-load configuration after the lid is removed;

[0066] Figure 32 Depicting Figure 28 The radiation attenuation transport container is fully loaded and ready for transport.

[0067] Figure 33 This is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0068] Figure 34 yes Figure 33 Another perspective view of an embodiment;

[0069] Figure 35 yes Figure 33 A transparent perspective view of the upper protruding portion in an embodiment;

[0070] Figure 36 yes Figure 35 Solid perspective view of the upper shell. V. Detailed Implementation

[0071] The following description illustrates and exemplifies one or more specific embodiments of the invention based on the principles of the invention. This description is not intended to limit the invention to the one or more embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in a manner that enables those skilled in the art to understand these principles, and based on this understanding, to apply not only to the practice of the one or more embodiments described herein, but also to other embodiments that may conceive based on these principles.

[0072] The scope of this invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, whether literally or according to the doctrine of equivalents.

[0073] It should be noted that identical or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals in the description and accompanying drawings. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with different reference numerals, for example, where such labeling contributes to a clearer description. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings provided herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some cases, the scale may be exaggerated to depict certain features more clearly. Such labeling and drawing practices do not necessarily imply any underlying substantive purpose.

[0074] Furthermore, some views are side views, depicting only one side of the device or one group of components in an array of multiple component groups. However, it should be understood that the opposite side and other component groups are generally identical. This specification is intended to be understood as a whole and explained in accordance with the principles of the invention taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0075] As best shown in the accompanying drawings, the medical material cooler 10 has a housing 12. This housing 12 includes an upper housing member 16, a lower housing member 18, and an intermediate housing member 22. Preferably, each housing member 16, 18, 22 is made of a plastic material capable of withstanding sterilization and cleaning, such as the type that can be cleaned in an autoclave or with strong chemical reagents.

[0076] The upper outer shell 16 and the intermediate outer shell 22 define an upper internal chamber 26, which is typically hollow or alternatively filled with a solid block of thermally conductive material shaped to include hollow portions such as syringe receiving channels. The lower outer shell member 18 and the intermediate outer shell member 22 define a lower internal chamber 28, which is also typically hollow but includes multiple components.

[0077] The air handling unit 32, together with the magnetic stirrer 34, is contained within the lower internal chamber 28. The lower outer casing member 18 is generally open-box shaped and configured as a cuboid. The lower outer casing member 18 includes a base plate 44 and four side plates 48, including a first short side plate 50, a second short side plate 52, a first long side plate 54, and a second long side plate 56. The four side plates 48 are disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base plate 44 and form the sides of the open-box lower outer casing member 18.

[0078] A first active heat sink 68 is disposed within a first heat sink receiving chamber 67 and is in thermal contact with the "hot" electrode of a first thermoelectric cooler (commonly referred to as a Peltier cooler 78). The first heat sink receiving chamber 67 is sized and configured to receive the first active heat sink 68 and includes a fan receiving bracket 70 on which the fan 72 of the first active heat sink 68 is disposed.

[0079] The first active heat sink 68 also includes a finned aluminum heat sink 74 having an increased diameter portion and a decreased diameter central portion 76. The decreased diameter central portion 76 is used to receive a first Peltier cooler 78, which is thermally connected to the finned aluminum heat sink component 74. The thermoelectric cooler 78 is received on the top surface of the decreased diameter central platform portion 76.

[0080] Figure 2A shows a view of thermoelectric cooler 128. A thermoelectric cooler, commonly referred to as a Peltier cooler, is a semiconductor-based electronic component that operates based on the Peltier effect. Peltier cooler 128 can be used as a small refrigerator or heat pump, depending on the application. When direct current flows through Peltier cooler 128, one side 134 becomes the cold side 134, and the other side 132 becomes the hot side 132. To continuously pump heat from the cold side 134 to the hot side 132 and keep the cold side cooler, heat sinks are required on the sides of thermoelectric (or Peltier) cooler 128.

[0081] A typical Peltier cooler 128 includes a second cold-side ceramic or aluminum substrate 135 for absorbing heat from an article in thermal contact with the substrate 135. The cooler 128 also includes a first hot-side ceramic or aluminum substrate 133 for absorbing heat from the cold-side substrate 135 and transferring that heat to a heat sink, such as a heat sink 68 or a heat sink 90.

[0082] Multiple P-type semiconductors 136 and N-type semiconductor particles 138 are disposed between and in contact with the first ceramic substrate 133 and the second ceramic substrate 135 to provide the heating and cooling effects achieved by the thermoelectric cooler 128.

[0083] The first conductor 139 makes electrical contact with the semiconductor via a conductor 141, preferably made of copper. The second conductor 142 is electrically coupled to the device via a second conductor 143 for introducing negative current into the device.

[0084] The lower housing component 18 is provided with a second radiator receiving chamber 82 for receiving a second active radiator 84. The second radiator receiving chamber 82 includes a fan receiving bracket 86 for receiving a second fan 88. Figure 16 The second fan 88, if not exactly the same as the first fan 72, is similar. The second active heatsink 84 is generally similar to the first active heatsink 68.

[0085] The second active heat sink 84 includes a second fan 88 and a finned aluminum heat sink 90, which includes an increased diameter portion and a decreased diameter central platform portion 92. The bottom surface of the second Peltier cooler 94 conducts heat with the decreased diameter central portion 92 and is disposed thereon.

[0086] Peltier coolers 78 and 94 have a cold side 134 and a hot side 132. The cold side 134 is the upward-facing side and is adjacent to the vials and syringes. The hot side 132 is placed against a finned aluminum radiator. Peltier coolers 78 and 94 are quite efficient; by using two 48-watt Peltier coolers 78 and 94, they are able to cool adjacent chambers of device 10 to about 5°C within about 15 minutes.

[0087] Peltier coolers 78 and 94 are also highly effective at maintaining cooled materials within the desired temperature range. Preferably, Peltier coolers 78 and 94 maintain the material within a range of approximately 2°C to 8°C. The material in the syringe should not freeze if the temperature falls below this range. A small controller (not shown) is operatively coupled to Peltier coolers 78 and 94 to control their operation, thereby maintaining them at an appropriate temperature that neither freezes the cooled medical material nor makes it too hot.

[0088] The second elongated side plate 56 of the lower housing unit 16 includes a plurality of air inlets 93. The air inlets 93 allow air to flow into the first air inlet chamber 110 and the second air inlet chamber 112 to cool the radiators 74 and 84, thereby cooling the Peltier coolers 78 and 94. The first air inlet chamber 110 is located below the first radiator 74 and the Peltier cooler, and the second air inlet chamber 112 is located below the second radiator 84 and the Peltier cooler 94.

[0089] The lower housing member 18 includes an upper edge 96 and a transverse central member 97 extending between a first long side plate 54 and a second long side plate 56. The upper surfaces of the upper edge 96 and the transverse central member 97 are sized and positioned to receive the lower edge 98 of the peripheral skirt of the intermediate housing member 22. A vertically oriented bolt receiving orifice 100 is threaded for receiving bolts 180 that couple the upper housing member, the intermediate housing member 22, and the lower housing member 18 together.

[0090] The output shaft receiving port 102 is located in the middle of the transverse central member 97, and its size and position are designed to receive the output shaft 104 of the magnet member 34. The intermediate housing member 22 also includes a horizontally arranged panel 106. The peripheral skirt 99 includes a plurality of exhaust ports 114 through which air that has passed through the first heat sink 74 and the second heat sink 84 can be discharged into the surrounding atmosphere.

[0091] The intermediate component 22 also includes four bolt receiving holes 113 aligned with the bolt receiving holes 100 of the base component, through which connecting bolts 180 pass. The horizontally arranged panel 106 also includes a first Peltier cooler receiving hole 116 and a second Peltier cooler receiving hole 118 for receiving a first Peltier cooler 78 and a second Peltier cooler 94, respectively.

[0092] A central recess 120 is formed in the horizontally arranged panel 106, which is generally located at the center of the horizontally arranged panel 106. The horizontally arranged panel 106 of the intermediate housing member 22 includes a transverse member 119 that extends laterally between a first long side and a second long side, and is sized, configured, and positioned to engage with a transverse member 97 of the lower housing member 16.

[0093] The central recess 120 is sized and positioned to receive the magnetic housing 122 and the first magnet 124 and the second magnet 126 of the magnetic stirrer component 34. A central aperture 130 is formed in the central recess 120 to receive the output shaft 104 of the magnet component 34.

[0094] The magnetic stirrer 34 has a motor 140, an output shaft 104, and a magnet 122, which includes a first magnet 124 and a second magnet 126. Magnets of the type shown are available from various commercial sources, and preferably, the magnet component 34 is designed to operate on a 12V DC power input.

[0095] The upper outer shell component 18 includes a top plate 146, a first short side plate 148, a second short side plate 150, a first long side plate 152, and a second long side plate 154. Like the lower outer shell component 18, the upper outer shell component 16 is typically configured as a cuboid.

[0096] The vial receiver 164 typically extends vertically at the center of the upper housing member 16. The vial receiver 164 includes a collar portion 166 that extends above the top surface of the top plate of the upper housing member 16. A cap 168 is hingedly grounded to the collar 166 and is movable between an open position and a closed position.

[0097] The vial receiver 164 includes a vial receiving chamber 170 in which a first vial 172 and a second vial 174 can be placed. The first vial 172 and the second vial 174 contain medical materials cooled by a cooler; these vials are those intended for delivery to a hospital or medical facility, and / or are those stored before the medical materials are placed into an administration vial, such as a syringe as illustrated herein.

[0098] A coin-shaped first vial receiving platform 176, preferably made of aluminum, is placed on the base of the vial receiving chamber 170, positioned below the first vial 172. A coin-shaped second vial receiving platform 178, also preferably made of aluminum, is located at the bottom of the vial receiving chamber 170, below the second vial 174.

[0099] The upper housing member 16 includes four bolt receiving channels 179 for receiving four bolts 180, each bolt having a threaded end 183. The bolts 180 pass through the receiving channels 179, through mating orifices 113 in the intermediate housing member 22, and into blind holes 100 in the lower housing member 16, which are threaded to receive the threads 183 of the bolts 180.

[0100] When bolts 180 engage in channel 179 and are received by the threads of base member 16, bolts 180 securely engage and couple the three housing members 16, 18, 22 together. However, bolts 180 can also be removed from their threaded engagement with base member 16 to allow the three housing members 16, 18, 22 to be separated from each other, which facilitates the manufacture and maintenance of device 10.

[0101] A cylindrical first vial protector 182 is placed on a first coin-shaped vial plate 176, its dimensions and configuration designed to receive the first vial 172 from the inside within the vial receiving chamber 170. Similarly, a cylindrical second vial protector 184 is disposed on a second coin-shaped vial platform 178, its dimensions and configuration designed to receive the second vial 174 within the vial receiving chamber 170. As will be discussed below, the vial platform 176 can be coupled to the vial protector 182 to serve as a base 176 for the vial protector 182.

[0102] The purpose of the first vial protector 182 and the second vial protector 184 is to confine the radiation within vials 172 and 174 to help prevent radiation from leaking from vials 172 and 174 into the ambient atmosphere surrounding the cooler 10. The applicant has found that polycarbonate materials are well suited for use as vial protectors 182 and 184 due to the low radiation output of beta emitters such as yttrium.

[0103] One advantage of using polycarbonate is its transparency, which allows users to monitor the material levels in the first vial (172) and the second vial (174). Nevertheless, it is conceivable that if different types of radioactive materials were used, and different levels of protection were required to prevent dangerous radioactive releases, other materials might be used, or perhaps it would be necessary to use other materials.

[0104] First medical material applicators 196, second medical material applicators 194, third medical material applicators 195, and fourth medical material applicators 197, shown herein as syringes 196, 194, 195, and 197, are provided together with coolers 10 and 410 shown in the accompanying drawings. Medical material applicators 196, 194, 195, and 197 are used to apply medical materials to a patient, for example, by implanting radioactive material into tissue to help eradicate cancer cells in the patient's body.

[0105] Nevertheless, it should be understood that other models, sizes, and configurations may exist within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, a cooler device 10 capable of cooling a single syringe 190 or multiple syringes, such as 6, 8, or 12 syringes 190, may be employed, exceeding the current model shown in the accompanying drawings. In this respect, the device 10 can be scaled to increase or decrease the number and size of the syringes 190 and vials 172, 174 it can accommodate to meet different needs.

[0106] Furthermore, the vial receiver can be scaled up to accommodate vials of different sizes. For example, the cooler device 10 can be scaled up to hold 10 ml vials, 20 ml vials, or even larger or smaller vials.

[0107] Furthermore, the power of the Peltier cooler components 78, 94 and their associated radiators can differ from those shown; for example, a Peltier cooler component (e.g., 78) could be used with a cooling capacity four times that of the 48-watt cooler shown in the attached figure. If such a higher-capacity Peltier cooler is used, Peltier cooling can be accomplished with a single cooler, rather than the dual coolers 78, 94 shown in the attached figure, due to the efficient heat conductor of aluminum. With a single cooling component, the device 10 can be reconfigured so that all vials and syringes are placed on top of a single Peltier cooler unit.

[0108] The upper housing component 16 includes a plurality of syringe receivers, including a first syringe receiver 192 for receiving a first syringe 190; a second syringe receiver 193 for receiving a second syringe 194; a third syringe receiver 196 for receiving a third syringe 195; and a fourth syringe receiver 198 for receiving a fourth syringe 197.

[0109] Each syringe receiver 192, 193, 196, 198 is generally cylindrical and is sized and configured to receive syringes 190, 194, 195, 197, which are also generally cylindrical. Syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198 are also configured such that they are positioned relatively high on the front panel of the device 10 and relatively low on the rear panel of the device, such that when syringes 190, 194, 195, 197 are placed in their respective syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198, the syringes are tilted at an angle to the surface on which the housing is placed, such that their distal or needle tips are positioned at a lower level than their proximal or plunger tips.

[0110] This angled placement helps to keep the material within syringes 190, 194, 195, and 197 concentrated near the proximal end of the syringe barrel. This places the material inside the cooler, helping to maintain the material within the syringe at an appropriate temperature.

[0111] Each syringe receiver 192, 193, 196, 198 has an open proximal end 202 into which a syringe can be inserted, and a closed distal end 204. A grooved wing screw receiving slot 208 is formed near the proximal end 202 of the syringe receiver, sized and configured to receive a wing screw 210. The wing screw 210 can rotate to move axially to engage or disengage with the syringe, helping to hold the syringe in position within its respective syringe receiver and preventing it from falling out and being damaged.

[0112] A cylindrical, round-bottomed protective element 212, hollow inside and closed at its distal end, is coupled to the distal portion of each syringe receiver 192, 193, 196, 198 to contain the distal end of the syringe. The round-bottomed protective element 212 helps to provide protection against radioactive radiation.

[0113] like Figure 15 As best shown, each syringe, such as 190, includes a proximal end 220 into which a plunger 222 is inserted; a central body or barrel portion 224; and a distally positioned needle portion 226. A needle sheath 228 is placed on the distal needle portion 226 to prevent damage to the needle portion 226 and to prevent the user from being accidentally pricked by the needle in the distal needle portion 226.

[0114] An applicator receiving radiation shield 230 is provided for receiving within each syringe receiver 192, 193, 196, 198, the size and structure of which are designed to receive syringes 190, 194, 195, 197 within a hollow internal receiving cavity 238 of the applicator receiving radiation shield 230 itself.

[0115] Now for reference Figure 11 , 11 A, 12A-12C, 25 and 26, now we will discuss the exemplary radiation attenuation applicator protective element 230.

[0116] The radiation attenuation applicator shield 230 is configured to surround and enclose the syringe 190 and to attenuate radiation emitted from the radioactive material contained within the syringe 190. The radiation attenuation shield 230 will hereinafter be referred to as syringe shield 230. Syringe shield 230 is configured to reduce the amount of radiation a user is exposed to when using the syringe 190 to inject a target (e.g., a patient), such as during treatment.

[0117] The syringe protector 230 is depicted as a substantially hollow cylinder 326 extending between a proximal end 232 and a distal end 236. The syringe protector 230 has a central body portion 234 defined by an outer wall 336. The central body portion 234 is configured to house and surround the central body of the syringe 190. In this manner, radiation emitted from the radioactive material housed within the central body of the syringe 190 will pass through the outer wall 336 of the syringe protector 230 before contacting the user.

[0118] The outer wall 336 of the syringe protector 230 is made of a radiation-attenuating material 324. In this way, the syringe protector 230 will reduce the intensity (e.g., radiation level) of radiation exposed to the user. The outer wall 336 includes a thickness 340. Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific material 324 used and the thickness 340 of that material will affect the reduction (e.g., attenuation) of radiation provided by the syringe protector 230.

[0119] The radiation attenuating material 324 can be in the form of polycarbonate. The applicant has found that using polycarbonate material 324 provides suitable reduction / protection against beta radiation waves, a common wave type emitted by the exemplary yttrium radioactive material frequently used in this invention. Advantageously, the polycarbonate 324 syringe protector 230 can also be transparent, allowing the user to easily view the syringe and markings through the syringe protector 230.

[0120] However, the syringe protector 230 can also be made of a variety of radiation-attenuating polymers, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylic, etc., and / or can be made of a variety of other radiation-attenuating materials. The selected material should be able to fit well with the specific type of radiation emitted and the required radiation reduction. The syringe protector 230 can be scaled to accommodate syringes 190 of various sizes and / or to accommodate radioactive materials of different intensities.

[0121] In the assembled configuration, when the syringe 190 is correctly positioned within the syringe guard 230, the needle portion 226 of the syringe 190 extends outward from the opening 330 toward the distal end 326; the plunger 222 of the syringe 190 extends outward from the opening 338 located toward the proximal end 232.

[0122] The syringe 190 is retained within the syringe protector 230 via the locking mechanism 210. For example... Figure 26 As shown, the wing screw locking mechanism 210 includes a screw 319 that extends through a threaded hole 244 located in the outer wall 336.

[0123] When the locking mechanism 210 is screwed into the orifice 244, the distal end (not shown) of the screw 319 will contact the syringe 190 to retain the syringe 190 within the syringe guard 230, which prevents longitudinal movement of the syringe 190 within the syringe guard 230.

[0124] The interior of the distal end 236 of the syringe protector 230 may include a reduced-diameter portion or stop to contact the distal end of the syringe 190. Preferably, an O-ring 331 is located on the inner surface of the syringe protector 230, facing the opening 330 at the distal end 236. The O-ring 331 is configured to tightly engage the syringe 190 to prevent movement of the syringe 190 within the syringe protector 230.

[0125] To insert the syringe 190 into the syringe guard 230, the needle portion 226 of the syringe 190 is inserted through the proximal opening 338. The needle portion 226 passes through the hollow internal cavity 328 and extends through the distal opening 330. As the needle portion 226 extends outward from the distal opening 330, the central portion of the syringe 190 is surrounded by the outer wall 336, and a locking mechanism 210 can be secured.

[0126] The syringe protector 230 is depicted as including a grip portion 334 located near the proximal end. The grip portion 334 is configured to provide a position for the user to hold the syringe protector 230. For example, when the user operates the plunger 222 to draw radioactive material into and / or inject radioactive material from the syringe 190, the user can grip the grip portion 334 with their index and middle fingers.

[0127] Brief Reference Figure 14 It has been found that syringe protectors 230 made of polycarbonate material 324 offer a relatively thin profile compared to prior art syringe protectors, even though the thickness 340 of the material 324 on the outer wall 336 is sufficient to provide the required radiation reduction. This relatively thin profile, resulting from the reduced outer diameter of the syringe protector 230 (relative to the prior art), is believed to make the syringe protector 230 less bulky and easier to use.

[0128] like Figure 15As best shown, the present invention provides a power supply. Power supply 248 is preferably plugged into a standard 110V AC outlet and converts the power to a 12V DC output. This power supply can be a standard power supply, or it can be a power supply including a controller 249 for controlling the operation of the device, such as turning the device on or off. The controller 249 can also control the operation of the Peltier coolers 78, 94 to ensure they cool the material to and maintain the temperature within the appropriate temperature range. Alternatively, it can be controlled by a separate controller (not shown) on device 10. As with most such power supplies, device 10 is provided with an outlet into which power supply 248 is plugged.

[0129] Figure 13 – Figure 22 A cooler device 251 of an alternative embodiment is shown. The alternative embodiment device 251 is generally similar to the main cooler device 10 described above and includes similar components, which are assigned similar numbers to corresponding parts in the cooler 10. In essence, the alternative embodiment cooler device 251 is... Figure 1 – Figure 16 An improved version of the cooler device 10 shown.

[0130] The following components in the alternative embodiment device 251 are significantly changed. First, there is the controller 252, which includes a display screen for operating the device. The controller 252 includes a display screen for displaying current parameters of the device, such as whether the device is on or off, and the temperature of one or more internal parts of the device, which should be reasonably close to the temperature of the material contained within the syringe. Furthermore, the display screen 252 can display the rotational speed of the magnetic stirrer 34.

[0131] The primary purpose of controller 252 is to control the temperature of cooler 251, thereby maintaining the temperature of the medical material at an appropriate temperature, or at least within an appropriate temperature range. A sensor (not shown) communicates with controller 252, or is part of controller 252, so that controller 252 knows the real-time temperature of aluminum block 266, or preferably, the real-time temperature of test tube protector.

[0132] The magnetic stirrer speed control knob 254 is located near the controller 252, which includes a display screen. Both the magnetic stirrer speed control knob 254 and the controller 252 with the display screen are coupled to a box-shaped controller housing 258, which is coupled to the side of the base housing member 16.

[0133] like Figure 19 and Figure 20 As shown, an alternative embodiment of the syringe bottom receiving guard 260 is illustrated, which includes sufficient internal space to receive the distal ends of two test tubes, instead of... Figure 1 – Figure 12The single test tube capacity receiver shown in the cooler 10.

[0134] Now for reference Figure 13 and Figure 14 The diagram illustrates an aluminum block cooler 266. The aluminum block cooler 266 is sized and positioned to fit within the upper housing member 18. The aluminum block cooler 266 functions as a heat conductor to exchange heat from the Peltier coolers 78, 94 and is placed near the vial housing 170 and test tube receivers 192, 193, 196, 198 for better cooling of the test tubes contained therein. Preferably, the cooler block 266 is made of aluminum, which is lightweight and a highly efficient heat conductor.

[0135] Now refer to Figure 29 and Figure 31 The exemplary vial protection assembly 182 will now be described in more detail. The vial protection assembly 182 serves as a radiation shield to attenuate radiation, thereby reducing radiation exposure from the radioactive material contained within the vial 172. The vial protection assembly 182 extends between a closed lower portion 310 and an upper portion 312 defined by a first vial receiving platform 176. An outer wall 302 extends upward from the platform 176 to the upper portion 312.

[0136] The vial receiving cavity 318 is defined within the outer wall 302 above the base 176. The vial receiving cavity 318 includes a sufficiently large inner diameter 307 to accommodate the vial 172. Access to the vial receiving cavity 318 is possible via an opening 316 located at the upper portion 312.

[0137] Small bottle protective component 182 ( Figure 27 It can be cylindrical 308, with a substantially hollow interior. The outer wall 302 is shown to have a height approximately equal to or greater than the height of the vial 172, which is depicted as approximately equal to the height of the vial cap 303.

[0138] like Figure 27 As shown, the outer wall 302 of the vial protective assembly container 182 surrounds the vial 303. The outer wall 302 is made of a radiation-attenuating material such as polycarbonate. In this way, radiation emitted by the radioactive material inside the vial 172 will be attenuated by the outer wall 302.

[0139] The applicant found that polycarbonate material 306 provides suitable radiation protection for beta radiation waves, and advantageously, it is transparent. However, the vial protective component 182 can also be made of a variety of radiation-attenuating polymers, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylic, etc., and / or can be made of a variety of other radiation-attenuating materials. The material chosen is selected based on the specific type of radiation emitted and the desired radiation reduction.

[0140] The outer wall 302 has a thickness 304, which affects radiation reduction. Generally, the level of protection is proportional to the thickness of the outer wall 302.

[0141] The lower portion 310 of the vial protection assembly 182 includes a base 176 configured to facilitate heat transfer between the vial 172 and the Peltier cooling elements 78 and 94 when the vial protection assembly 182 is placed in the cooler 10. The base 176 is made of a thermally conductive material 311 such as aluminum. However, the base 176 can be made of a variety of alternative thermally conductive materials.

[0142] The base 176 is depicted as a stepped base 176, including a lower base portion 314 and an upwardly extending portion 315 with a reduced diameter. The lower surface of the outer wall 302 rests on the lower base 314. The upwardly extending portion 315 extends upward and is located inside the outer wall 302.

[0143] The lower part of the vial 172 rests on the upward extension 315. The lower base 314 and the upward extension 315 can be in the form of flat cylinders, almost like a coin.

[0144] The vial 172 is held within the vial protection assembly 182 by a locking mechanism 188. The locking mechanism 188 includes a screw 320 that threadedly engages with a threaded orifice 301 within the outer wall 302. When the user screws the screw 320 inward, the distal end 309 of the screw 319 with the wing-head 320 extends inward into the receiving cavity 318. When the locking mechanism 188 is in the locked position, the distal end 309 of the screw 319 contacts the vial 172 above the shoulder 305 of the vial 172, holding the vial 172 within the internal cavity 318.

[0145] Now for reference Figure 28 An exemplary radiation attenuation vial transport container 341 is shown. The transport container 341 includes a housing 342 that internally receives vials 172 within a vial receiving cavity 350. The primary purpose of the housing 342 is to provide radiation protection for the radioactive material contained within the vials 172 during transport.

[0146] The housing 342 includes a base 344 and a cap 352. The base 344 extends between a closed lower portion 346 and an open upper portion 348. A vial receiving cavity 350 extends downward into the base 344 and is configured to receive and accommodate the lower portion of the vial 172 therein.

[0147] The lower surface 369 of the cap 352 is depicted as including an upwardly extending chamber 368. This chamber 368 is configured to receive the upper portion of the vial 172, such as the top 303 of the vial 172. When the cap 352 is secured to the base 344, the vial 172 is completely surrounded and enclosed by the container 340.

[0148] The transport container 340 may include a locking mechanism 354. This locking mechanism 354 is configured to securely hold the lid 352 onto the base 344 during transport. As shown, the locking mechanism 354 may take the form of a locking ball plunger, which includes a screw 351 from which a spring-loaded plunger ball 355 extends.

[0149] The screw 351 extends inward from the wall 353 of the base 344. The lower part of the cover 369 includes a grooved channel 356 configured to engage with a spring-loaded plunger ball 355 to receive the plunger ball 355.

[0150] Inserting the plunger ball 355, which is coupled to the base 344, into the channel 356 on the cover 352 securely locks the cover 352 to the base 344. Alternatively, the cover 352 can be securely held to the base 344 by various other mechanisms such as threaded connection, turn-lock, snap-lock, bayonet mounting, etc.

[0151] The lid 352 and the base 344 are made of a material 364 with radiation attenuation properties. The transport container 340 is depicted as being made of acrylic 364. However, various materials with suitable radiation attenuation properties may also be used.

[0152] Examples of such materials include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, or other radiation-damping materials. The base 344 and lid 352 can be made of similar or different materials, depending on the desired characteristics of the finished container 340.

[0153] The base 344 should include a sufficiently large wall thickness 358 to provide the required attenuation level. As previously stated, the thickness 358 required to ensure that the user is not overexposed to radiation will depend on the characteristics of the specific radioactive material contained within the vial 172. These characteristics include its radiation intensity and wavelength, as well as the material 364 used to manufacture the transport container 340. The thickness of the lid 352 and the thickness of the lower portion 346 should also be considered when determining the attenuation of the transport container 340.

[0154] The transport container 340 is depicted as having a generally cylindrical shape 362. The lid 352 may include recessed finger-engaging grooves 360 for user manipulation.

[0155] Now for reference Figure 29A – Figure 32 Now, another form of radiation attenuation transport container 370 will be described. Similar to transport container 341, transport container 370 serves as a radiation shield to attenuate radiation released from radioactive material within vial 172, and also serves as a container for holding vial 172.

[0156] The transport container 370 includes a base 372 and a lid 382. The base defines an internal cavity 386 configured to internally receive a vial 172 therein. The base 372 includes an upper portion 378 and a lower portion 374.

[0157] The base 372 includes a double-walled design. The base 372 includes an internal hollow liner 376 extending between a first end 373 and a second end 375. The second end 375 of the liner 376 extends into and is secured in a lower portion 374. The first end 373 of the liner extends into and is secured in an upper portion 374. The hollow liner 376 defines an internal cavity 386 within which the vial 172 is disposed.

[0158] The lower portion 374 includes a closed, generally flat bottom 394. An opening 392 is located in the upper portion 378. When the threaded cap 382 is removed from its engagement with the internally threaded opening 392 of the base 372 of the container 370, the opening 392 provides access to the internal cavity 386.

[0159] When the cap 382 is engaged with the base 372, the transport container 370 contains and encloses the vial 172. In this way, radiation emitted from the radioactive material inside the vial 172 must pass through the walls of the container 370 before reaching a human user.

[0160] The lid 382 includes a plurality of external threads 384. These external threads 384 mate and engage with internal threads 380 formed on the radially inward inner wall of the upper portion 378 to selectively open and close the container 370. The lid 382 may include a hexagonal top 383 for gripping and turning by hand or wrench.

[0161] Transport container 370 is depicted as being made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 180. However, the use of other radiation-attenuating materials is also considered herein. Transport container 370 is depicted as having a substantially cylindrical shape 396.

[0162] Figure 32 The transport container 370 is depicted in a closed and transport-ready configuration. In this configuration, the vial 172 has been placed inside the internal cavity 386, and the cap 382 has been screwed into the base 372, thereby closing the internal cavity 386 and encapsulating the vial 172 therein. The transport container 370 can be inserted into the support block 398 to securely retain the container 370 during transport.

[0163] The support block 398 is depicted as a foam block with a through opening 400, the opening 400 being sized and configured to tightly receive the container 370 internally. The lower part 374 of the container 370 is inserted into and tightly received by the opening 400. The support block 398 with the container 370 inserted can then be packaged in a standard box or other external transport container (not shown) for transport.

[0164] Now for reference Figure 33 – Figure 36 The diagram illustrates another alternative embodiment of a cooler 410. Cooler 410 typically includes the same functional components as the cooler 10 described above, but the arrangement of these components is similar to that described above. Figure 1 – Figure 32 The components in the discussed coolers are arranged differently.

[0165] The cooler 410 includes a first housing member 414, a second housing member (not shown) on which a thermoelectric cooler (not shown) is mounted, and a third housing member 418.

[0166] The third housing component may include an aluminum block with various features drilled or machined therein. The third housing component 418 should include a thermally conductive material such that the material contained in the third housing component 418 will be in thermal contact with a thermoelectric cooler (not shown), thereby keeping the material at a temperature below ambient room temperature.

[0167] The cooler 410 also includes a first vial receiver 422 for receiving a first vial 423 and a second vial receiver 424 for receiving a second vial 425. The first vial 423 and the second vial 425 are substantially similar to the vials described above and are preferably in contact with a magnetic stirrer (not shown) so that the medical material contained therein can be stirred by the magnetic stirrer. A cap member 426 is provided to cover the first vial 423 and the second vial 425. This cap serves as a heat insulator for the first vial 423 and the second vial 425 and also as a radiation attenuator to protect the ambient area surrounding the cooler 410 from radioactive radiation that may be emitted by the medical material within the first vial 423 and the second vial 425. However, as discussed above, this radiation insulation feature primarily serves as a backup for the radioactive attenuation provided by the thickened polycarbonate material used to manufacture the first vial container 423 and the second vial container 425.

[0168] The third housing component 418 also includes a first applicator receiver 428, a second applicator receiver 430, a third applicator receiver 432, and a fourth applicator receiver 433. The applicator receivers are used to internally receive a syringe-type applicator 434 encapsulated within the radiation shield 436.

[0169] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with embodiments currently considered to be most practical and preferred, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures permitted by law. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be considered in accordance with the following claims, and it should be understood that it is not limited to the structural and operational details shown and described in the specification and drawings.

[0170] It should be understood that although the words “preferred,” “ideally,” or “preferred” used in the above description indicate that the described feature may be more desirable, it may not be necessary, and any embodiment lacking such a feature may be considered within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

[0171] When reading the claims, it should be noted that the use of words such as "an," "a," "at least one," and "at least a portion" does not intend to limit the claim to only one item unless expressly stated otherwise in the claim. Furthermore, when the expressions "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" are used, the item may include a portion and / or the entire item unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0172] The following is a list of numbered parts that have been disclosed and described in relation to this invention.

Claims

1. A cooler (10) for maintaining medical materials at a temperature below ambient room temperature, The cooler includes: a. A housing (12) having an interior (20) configured to receive a plurality of components; b. A thermoelectric cooler (78) coupled to and supported by the housing (12), the thermoelectric cooler (78) comprising a hot side (132) and a cold side (134); c. A fluid mover (72) for moving fluid to thermal contact with the hot side (132) to remove heat from the hot side (132); d. A first vial receiver (164) thermally contacts the cold side (134) of the thermoelectric cooler (78), the first vial receiver (164) being configured to receive a first vial (170) having an interior configured to receive medical materials; e. A second vial receiver (184) thermally contacting the cold side (134) of the thermoelectric cooler (78), the second vial receiver (184) being configured to receive a second vial (174) having an interior configured to receive medical materials; and f. A stirrer (34) for stirring the medical material in the first vial (170) and / or the second vial (174).

2. The cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first vial (172) and the second vial (174) are configured for transporting and / or storing the medical material.

3. The cooler according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first vial receiver (164) includes a plastic container having a metal bottom for facilitating heat transfer between the outside and inside of the container, and wherein the container is made of a radiation-attenuating material.

4. The cooler according to claim 2, characterized in that, The stirrer (34) is configured to stir the medical materials in the first vial (172) and the second vial (174).

5. The cooler of claim 1 further includes at least one applicator (190) configured to apply medical material to a patient, and the cooler (10) includes at least one applicator receiver (192) in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler (78) for maintaining the medical material in the applicator (190) below ambient temperature.

6. The cooler of claim 5 further includes an applicator guard (230) for internally receiving the applicator (190), wherein the applicator (190) includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface for defining an internal needle engagement distal end, an open plunger receiving proximal end (220); and an internally insertable plunger (222); wherein the applicator guard (230) includes an annular groove configured to be engaged by a user's finger to facilitate movement of the applicator guard (230) and the applicator (190).

7. The cooler according to claim 6 further includes a locking mechanism (210) engageable with the applicator (190) and the applicator receiver (192) for securing the applicator (190) in the applicator receiver (192).

8. The cooler according to claim 6, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (210) includes a slot (208) formed near the applicator receiver (192) and a screw (210) that can be inserted into the slot (208) and engaged with the applicator guard (230).

9. The cooler according to claim 6, characterized in that, The applicator receiver (192) is coupled to the housing (12) and includes a tubular cavity having an open proximal end (202) and a closed distal end (204) for receiving the applicator. The proximal end (202) of the tubular cavity is positioned higher than the distal end (204) so ​​that the applicator placed therein is positioned at an angle relative to the placement surface of the cooler (10).

10. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising an applicator receiver (192) and an applicator (190) configured to apply medical material to a patient. The applicator receiver (192) includes at least one tubular channel configured to receive the applicator (190) within the channel.

11. The cooler of claim 10, further comprising an applicator receiving radiation shield (230) having a hollow interior for receiving the applicator (190) therein; and an applicator locking mechanism (210) engageable between the applicator radiation shield (230) and the applicator (190) for retaining the applicator (190) within the hollow interior of the applicator radiation shield (230).

12. The cooler according to claim 11, characterized in that, The applicator radiation shield (230) includes an annular groove, and the locking mechanism (210) includes a screw, one end of which is received in the applicator radiation shield (320) and is engageable with the applicator (190).

13. The cooler according to claim 10, characterized in that, The applicator receiver (192) includes a thermally conductive support member coupled to the housing (12) and in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler (78). The support member includes at least two tubular channels (192, 193) configured to receive a tubular applicator (190, 194) having a proximal end (220) and a distal end (226). The two tubular channels (192, 193) include a proximal end (202) with opposing proximal projections for receiving the proximal end (220) of the tubular applicator (190, 194), and a distal end (204) for receiving the distal end (226) of the tubular applicator (190, 194), such that the applicator is positioned at an angle relative to the placement surface on which the cooler (10) is placed.

14. The cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (12) includes a first housing member (18) for accommodating the fluid mover, a second housing member (22) on which the thermoelectric cooler (78) is mounted, and a third housing member (16) coupled to the applicator receiver (190), the applicator receiver (192) being in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler (78).

15. The cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (12) includes a first housing member (18) and a heat sink (68) that is in thermal contact with the hot side (132) of the thermoelectric cooler (78). The housing includes an opening (114) for allowing cooling fluid to pass between the ambient atmosphere and the interior of the housing (12) and the radiator (68).

16. The cooler according to claim 15, characterized in that, The fluid mover (72) includes an air mover for drawing ambient air into the interior of the first housing member (18), moving the ambient air through the orifice (114) and into the interior of the first housing member (18), moving the air through the radiator (68) to absorb heat from the radiator (68), and discharging the heated air from the housing (12) through the orifice (114).

17. The cooler according to claim 16, further comprising a radiator receiving chamber (66) for encapsulating the radiator (68).

18. A container (182) for encapsulating a vial (172) containing radioactive material, the container (172) being made of a radiation-attenuating material and having a bottom (310); sidewalls (302) including an outer surface and an inner surface; the vial receiving an internal cavity (318) having a top opening (315) and defined by the inner surface; and a thickness defined by the distance between the inner surface and the outer surface, and A cap member (352) that can be placed above the top opening (315), the cap member (352) having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a thickness defined by the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface. The thickness (358) of the cap component and the sidewall (302) is sufficiently large to absorb enough radiation emitted by the radioactive medical material, thereby keeping the level of radioactivity outside the container (182) at an acceptable and safe level.

19. The container of claim 18, further comprising a locking mechanism (351) for retaining the second container (303) within the container (182), and The container (182) includes a metal bottom for facilitating the cooling of the radioactive material contained within the container (182) and the second container (303).

Images