An automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system. The system includes a housing, a control structure, a raw material processing structure, a fluid control structure, a waste liquid management structure, and a moving structure. The control structure is connected to the other structures and mounted on the housing, which is mounted on the moving structure. The control structure controls the operation of the raw material processing structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure, and immediately stops the corresponding structure functions in emergencies. The raw material processing structure stores and processes the radiopharmaceutical raw material, controlling its opening, closing, and needle insertion. The fluid control structure precisely controls the extraction and injection of the radiopharmaceutical raw material. The waste liquid management structure collects and stores waste liquid generated during extraction and injection. Implementing this system improves operational safety and accuracy while reducing costs and increasing drug utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automation equipment technology, and in particular to an automatic dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of nuclear medicine diagnostics, current procedures primarily rely on traditional manual methods for dispensing and injecting radiopharmaceuticals. This approach has significant limitations and risks: First, manual operation leads to substantial radiation exposure, posing a potential threat to the health of operators. Second, due to the difficulty in ensuring high precision during manual operation, significant errors occur in dispensing dosage and injection accuracy, affecting not only the consistency of treatment outcomes but also potentially posing additional risks to patients. Furthermore, while some hospitals have introduced imported automated dispensing and injection equipment in an attempt to address these issues, these devices are expensive, have high operating and maintenance costs, and still suffer from issues such as significant localized radiation exposure and waste during dispensing, failing to effectively improve drug utilization.

[0003] Another significant drawback of existing technology is the inadequacy of radiation protection measures. Particularly when handling raw materials with high doses of radiation, traditional equipment requires manual operation of the shielding tank and needle insertion. This process involves limited protective measures, increasing the likelihood of radiation exposure for operators. Furthermore, current equipment often employs unidirectional flow piping, meaning that in abnormal situations, the dispensed medication often needs to be treated as waste, further reducing drug utilization and increasing medical costs.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a new system that can improve operational safety and accuracy while reducing costs and increasing drug utilization. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the purpose of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: An automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system is provided, comprising: a housing, a control structure, a raw material processing structure, a fluid control structure, a waste liquid management structure, and a moving structure; the control structure is connected to the raw material processing structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure respectively; the control structure, the raw material processing structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure are respectively assembled on the housing, and the housing is assembled on the moving structure;

[0007] The control structure is used for the operation control of the raw liquid treatment structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure, and for immediately stopping the corresponding structural functions in an emergency.

[0008] The original solution processing structure is used to store and process the opening, closing, and needle insertion operations of the radiopharmaceutical original solution;

[0009] The fluid control structure is used for precise control of the extraction and injection process of the radiopharmaceutical stock solution.

[0010] The waste liquid management structure is used to collect and store waste liquid generated during extraction and injection.

[0011] The further technical solution is as follows: the raw liquid treatment structure includes a raw liquid shielding tank and an inlet assembly; the raw liquid shielding tank is placed inside the inlet assembly.

[0012] The further technical solution is as follows: the original liquid treatment structure includes a pin assembly and a cap opening assembly, which are assembled inside the housing.

[0013] The further technical solution is as follows: the fluid control structure includes a single three-way valve assembly, a drug pump, a double three-way valve assembly, an injection pump, and a dispensing pipeline; the dispensing pipeline is respectively installed in the single three-way valve assembly, the drug pump, the double three-way valve assembly, and the injection pump.

[0014] A further technical solution is as follows: the fluid control structure includes a dose calibrator, and the dose calibrator is equipped with the dispensing pipeline.

[0015] The further technical solution is as follows: the waste liquid management structure includes a waste liquid outlet and a waste liquid bottle; the waste liquid outlet is connected to the waste liquid bottle; the waste liquid outlet is connected to the dispensing pipeline.

[0016] A further technical solution is as follows: a waste liquid shielding chamber is provided on the side of the shell, and the waste liquid bottle is placed in the waste liquid shielding chamber.

[0017] The further technical solution is as follows: the housing is provided with a push door; the control unit includes an operation screen, the operation screen is placed on the push door, and the housing is provided with a lead shielding chamber.

[0018] A further technical solution is as follows: the movable structure includes a roller, which is mounted on the lower part of the housing.

[0019] A further technical solution is that the housing is provided with a hanging bracket.

[0020] The advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies are as follows: By integrating a control structure, a raw material treatment structure, a fluid control structure, and a waste liquid management structure into a single mobile housing, this invention improves operational safety and accuracy while reducing costs and increasing drug utilization. Specifically, the control structure centrally controls each functional module and can immediately stop the system in emergencies, ensuring operator safety; the raw material treatment structure is responsible for critical operations such as storing, opening, closing, and inserting needles for the radiopharmaceutical raw material, reducing the possibility of human error; the fluid control structure ensures precise control of the extraction and injection of the radiopharmaceutical raw material, thereby improving the accuracy of drug use; and the waste liquid management structure effectively collects and stores waste liquid, preventing environmental pollution, and also reduces overall costs by recovering reusable components from the waste liquid. These design features work together to not only improve the system's safety and efficiency but also optimize resource utilization, making the entire treatment process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of an automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 A right-side structural schematic diagram of an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the left side of an automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the main structure of an automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 A rear view of an automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals provided in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 A top view of an automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Explanation of the markings in the image:

[0030] 1. Control panel; 2. Emergency stop button; 3. Printer; 4. Original solution shielding tank; 5. Tank inlet assembly; 6. Single three-way valve assembly; 7. Drug pump; 8. Double three-way valve assembly; 9. Injection pump; 10. Dosage calibrator; 11. Waste liquid outlet; 12. Waste liquid bottle; 13. Needle assembly; 14. Cap opening assembly; 15. Lead shielding chamber; 16. Housing; 17. Push door; 18. Dispensing pipeline; 19. Hanger; 20. Rollers; 21. Waste liquid shielding chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0032] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0033] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0035] Currently, the field of nuclear medicine diagnostics primarily relies on manual operation for the dispensing and injection of radiopharmaceuticals. This method not only exposes operators to a high risk of radiation exposure but also makes it difficult to ensure consistency in dosage and injection accuracy, affecting treatment efficacy and potentially posing additional risks to patients. Although some hospitals have introduced expensive imported automated equipment in an attempt to address these issues, these devices still have shortcomings in terms of cost, local radiation exposure control, and drug utilization. Furthermore, when handling high-dose radioactive materials, existing technologies lack effective radiation protection measures and unidirectional flow pipeline designs, which can easily lead to drug waste under abnormal conditions, further increasing medical costs and limiting improvements in drug utilization.

[0036] Therefore, this utility model provides an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system that can improve operational safety and accuracy while reducing costs and increasing drug utilization.

[0037] Specifically, this automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system integrates control, raw material processing, fluid control, and waste management structures within a mobile housing 16, achieving automated processing, precise extraction and injection of radiopharmaceuticals, and safe waste disposal. Its design utilizes shielded containers and chambers to effectively reduce radiation risks, while precise control components ensure accurate drug dosage and reduce human error. The waste management system avoids environmental pollution and improves resource utilization. Furthermore, the system's modular design and lead shielding measures not only enhance operational safety and convenience but also extend equipment lifespan, thereby reducing overall costs. The entire process is highly automated, reducing manual intervention, further ensuring operator safety and improving work efficiency, while also optimizing drug utilization.

[0038] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0039] Please see Figures 1 to 6 An automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals includes: a housing 16, a control structure, a raw material treatment structure, a fluid control structure, a waste liquid management structure, and a moving structure; the control structure is connected to the raw material treatment structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure respectively; the control structure, the raw material treatment structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure are respectively assembled on the housing 16, and the housing 16 is assembled on the moving structure.

[0040] The control structure is used for the operation control of the raw liquid treatment structure, fluid control structure, and waste liquid management structure, as well as to immediately stop the corresponding structural functions in case of emergency.

[0041] The raw material processing structure is used to store and process the opening, closing, and needle insertion operations of the radiopharmaceutical raw material; the fluid control structure is used for precise control of the extraction and injection process of the radiopharmaceutical raw material; and the waste liquid management structure is used to collect and store the waste liquid generated during the extraction and injection process.

[0042] In this embodiment, all components are assembled inside the housing 16 to form an integral unit, and the housing 16 itself is mounted on a movable structure with rollers 20, making the entire device easy to move.

[0043] As the brain of the system, the control structure is responsible not only for the operation and control of the raw liquid treatment structure, fluid control structure, and waste liquid management structure, but also for immediately stopping the corresponding functions in an emergency to ensure safety.

[0044] The raw material handling structure includes a raw material shielding container 4, a container inlet assembly 5, a pin insertion assembly 13, and a cap opening assembly 14. It is used to safely store radiopharmaceutical raw materials and to perform operations such as opening, closing, and pin insertion. The shielding design reduces the radiation exposure risk to operators.

[0045] The fluid control structure consists of a single three-way valve assembly 6, a drug solution pump 7, a double three-way valve assembly 8, an injection pump 9, and a dose calibrator 10, enabling precise extraction and injection control of the radiopharmaceutical stock solution. This ensures the accuracy and efficiency of drug use while reducing waste.

[0046] The waste liquid management structure includes a waste liquid outlet 11 and a waste liquid bottle 12, which are specially designed to collect and store waste liquid generated during the injection process, prevent environmental pollution, and protect the safety of operators.

[0047] First, the system is activated via the control panel 1, and the original solution shielding container 4 is positioned and the needle insertion is completed. Then, the drug pump 7 draws saline solution into the dispensing tubing 18 for tubing integrity testing, and then connects to the patient to begin precise radiopharmaceutical injection. If waste fluid is generated, it is automatically discharged into the waste bottle 12. After injection, the system automatically cleans the tubing and returns any remaining drug to the original solution shielding container 4 for decay treatment.

[0048] This system is highly automated, reducing manual intervention and effectively lowering the radiation exposure risk for operators. Precise control improves drug utilization, while the high localization rate of components effectively controls equipment costs, facilitating widespread adoption. Furthermore, the lead-shielded chamber 15 further ensures the safety of the operating environment. In conclusion, this automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system significantly improves work efficiency and safety, demonstrating significant practical value.

[0049] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The above-mentioned raw liquid treatment structure includes a raw liquid shielding tank 4 and an inlet assembly 5; the raw liquid shielding tank 4 is placed inside the inlet assembly 5.

[0050] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 The above-mentioned original liquid treatment structure includes a pin assembly 13 and a cap opening assembly 14, which are assembled inside the housing 16.

[0051] In one specific embodiment, according to Figure 1 The automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system shown includes two key components in its raw material handling structure: a raw material shielding container 4 and an infeed assembly 5. The raw material shielding container 4 is specifically designed to store the radiopharmaceutical raw material, and its construction effectively reduces radiation leakage, ensuring operator safety. This shielding container is carefully placed within the infeed assembly 5, which is responsible for safely and accurately delivering the raw material shielding container 4 to the designated location within the system for subsequent processing.

[0052] The shell 16 has an opening on one side, and the inlet assembly 5 is placed at the opening. The inlet assembly 5 is provided with a slide rail and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is provided with a mounting groove for placing the original liquid shielding tank 4. The slide rail is located below the mounting bracket and can slide along the opening to facilitate pushing the original liquid shielding tank 4 into the shell 16.

[0053] Further reference Figure 3 In another embodiment, the raw material processing structure also includes a needle insertion assembly 13 and a cap opening assembly 14, both of which are also assembled within the housing 16. The needle insertion assembly 13 is designed to accurately insert a needle into the raw material shielding container 4 when needed for the extraction of radiopharmaceuticals; simultaneously, it can precisely withdraw the needle after the task is completed, ensuring safety during operation. The cap opening assembly 14 is responsible for opening and closing the cap of the raw material shielding container 4, ensuring that the radioactive material inside the container is properly sealed when not in use, avoiding the risk of leakage.

[0054] The integrated design of these two components (pin assembly 13 and capping assembly 14) with the housing 16 not only improves the overall system efficiency but also significantly reduces the need for manual intervention through automated operation, thereby further reducing the risk of operator exposure to radiation. Furthermore, the ingenious design and efficient operation of these components are key factors in achieving high precision and high safety in automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection systems.

[0055] In summary, as can be seen from the above embodiments, each component in the raw material processing structure (including the raw material shielding tank 4, the tank inlet assembly 5, the needle insertion assembly 13, and the cap opening assembly 14) is carefully designed and arranged to ensure the efficient operation of the entire system and the safety of the operators. The close cooperation between these components makes the automated dispensing and injection process of radiopharmaceuticals both precise and safe, demonstrating the important innovations and technical advantages of this invention.

[0056] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 6 The fluid control structure described above includes a single three-way valve assembly 6, a drug pump 7, a double three-way valve assembly 8, an injection pump 9, and a dispensing pipeline 18; the dispensing pipeline 18 is installed in the single three-way valve assembly 6, the drug pump 7, the double three-way valve assembly 8, and the injection pump 9, respectively.

[0057] In this embodiment, firstly, the single three-way valve assembly 6 is a key component for guiding the direction of liquid flow. It can selectively direct the liquid along different paths, ensuring the correct flow direction of the fluid in the system. Next, the liquid is propelled by the drug pump 7, which mainly provides power to allow the drug liquid to flow throughout the system, and the flow rate can be adjusted as needed.

[0058] Subsequently, the liquid reaches the dual three-way valve assembly 8, a more complex valve system that allows for more flexible control of the fluid's flow path and direction. Compared to a single three-way valve, it offers more fluid path options, increasing the system's flexibility and functionality.

[0059] Next, the liquid enters the infusion pump 9, which is primarily designed for precise control of the injected dose. The infusion pump 9 can very accurately measure and deliver a specific volume of liquid, which is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of drug dosage.

[0060] Finally, all these components are connected to the dispensing line 18, which runs through the single three-way valve assembly 6, the drug pump 7, the double three-way valve assembly 8, and the syringe pump 9, serving to transfer the liquid. The design of the dispensing line 18 must take into account chemical resistance, biocompatibility, and safety to ensure that the drug is not contaminated or lost during transportation.

[0061] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 6 The fluid control structure described above includes a dose calibrator 10, in which a dispensing line 18 is installed.

[0062] Specifically, the dosing calibrator 10 also contains a dispensing tubing 18. The main function of the dosing calibrator 10 is to perform final calibration and verification of the drug dosage to be dispensed to the patient, ensuring that the dispensed drug dosage is both accurate and safe. By using the dosing calibrator 10, the accuracy of the entire system's drug dosage control can be further improved, errors can be reduced, and the safety and effectiveness of patient medication can be guaranteed.

[0063] In summary, based on Figure 6 Two embodiments of the fluid control structure are presented, encompassing the entire process from liquid guidance to precise metering and final dose calibration. Each component plays an indispensable role in the overall fluid control system, and together they achieve the high precision and high reliability of the automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system.

[0064] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The waste liquid management structure includes a waste liquid outlet 11 and a waste liquid bottle 12; the waste liquid outlet 11 is connected to the waste liquid bottle 12; the waste liquid outlet 11 is also connected to a dispensing pipeline 18. Specifically, the waste liquid outlet 11 is directly connected to the waste liquid bottle 12 to safely transfer waste liquid generated within the system to the waste liquid bottle 12 for collection and subsequent treatment. Furthermore, the waste liquid outlet 11 is also connected to the dispensing pipeline 18, meaning that any waste liquid or unwanted liquid generated during drug dispensing can be guided through the dispensing pipeline 18 to the waste liquid outlet 11 and ultimately into the waste liquid bottle 12.

[0065] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The casing 16 has a waste liquid shielding chamber 21 on its side, and the waste liquid bottle 12 is placed inside the waste liquid shielding chamber 21. The main purpose of this design is to provide additional safety, especially important when handling waste liquid containing radioactive or other hazardous substances. The waste liquid shielding chamber 21 is usually made of materials that can effectively block radiation, such as lead, lead glass, tungsten alloys, and other high-density materials, which can minimize the impact of potentially hazardous substances in the waste liquid on the external environment and operators.

[0066] The above design not only achieves effective management and safe storage of waste liquid, but also ensures the environmental friendliness and safety of the entire system. Specifically:

[0067] Connection between waste liquid outlet 11 and waste liquid bottle 12: This direct connection method ensures that waste liquid can be quickly and completely discharged from inside the system into waste liquid bottle 12, reducing the risk of waste liquid residue in the system.

[0068] The connection between the waste liquid outlet 11 and the dispensing pipeline 18 ensures that any waste liquid during the dispensing process can be treated in a timely and effective manner, avoiding the possibility of cross-contamination.

[0069] The design of the waste liquid shielding chamber 21 provides physical isolation for the waste liquid bottle 12. Especially when handling radioactive waste liquid, this shielding measure greatly protects the safety of operators and prevents radioactive materials from leaking into the environment.

[0070] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The aforementioned housing 16 is provided with a push door 17; the control unit includes an operation panel 1 and an emergency stop button 2, the operation panel 1 is placed on the push door 17, and a lead shielding chamber 15 is provided inside the housing 16.

[0071] A key operating component—the push door 17—is located on the housing 16. This push door 17 not only provides users with a convenient entry point for accessing the interior of the housing 16, facilitating operations such as maintenance, inspection, or replacement of internal components, but also enhances the overall sealing and security of the equipment. Specifically, an important part of the control unit—the operation panel 1—is installed on the push door 17. By placing the operation panel 1 on the push door 17, users can easily operate and monitor the equipment's status directly from the outside, obtaining necessary information or executing commands without opening the equipment, greatly improving ease of use and efficiency.

[0072] Furthermore, this embodiment mentions that a lead shielding chamber 15 is provided within the housing 16. The lead shielding chamber 15 is designed primarily to provide an additional layer of safety protection, which is particularly important when the equipment involves handling radioactive materials. Lead, as a highly efficient radiation shielding material, can effectively block harmful radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays, ensuring that this radiation does not leak into the external environment, thereby protecting the safety of operators and the surrounding environment.

[0073] In addition, the emergency stop button 2 is used to stop the system operation in an emergency.

[0074] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The movable structure includes a roller 20, which is mounted below the housing 16.

[0075] In this embodiment, this design enables the entire device to be highly mobile, allowing it to be easily moved from one location to another as needed. This is particularly useful for applications requiring the device to be used in different locations, such as medical field services, transfers between laboratories, or rapid deployment in emergencies. The assembly of the rollers 20 also takes into account the stability and load-bearing capacity of the device, ensuring safe and smooth movement even when loaded with heavy objects or when the device itself is heavy.

[0076] By setting up an operation panel 1 on the sliding door 17, convenient operation and monitoring functions are realized, while enhancing the safety and sealing of the equipment.

[0077] To address potential radiation risks, a lead-shielded room 15 is installed inside, providing effective protection and ensuring operational safety.

[0078] The rollers 20 mounted at the bottom give the equipment excellent mobility, adapt to diverse application scenarios, and enhance the equipment's flexibility and applicability.

[0079] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The aforementioned housing 16 is equipped with a hanger 19 for hanging the concentrate bags. This provides a convenient and stable way to store these liquid containers. With this design, users can easily suspend the concentrate bags in designated locations, simplifying the operation process and optimizing space utilization.

[0080] The design of the rack 19 takes into account various practical needs, such as ensuring that the concentrate bags can be hung securely without slipping or being damaged, while also facilitating installation and removal by the user. In addition, a well-arranged rack 19 can help maintain a clean and orderly working environment, improve work efficiency, and may reduce the risk of contamination or other safety hazards caused by improper storage.

[0081] In summary, the hanger 19 mentioned in this embodiment provides a practical suspension solution for the raw material bag, which not only improves the convenience of use, but also enhances the functionality and safety of the overall equipment.

[0082] The system described in this embodiment aims to automate drug dispensing and injection in the field of nuclear medicine diagnostics. This system is designed to replace traditional manual operation methods, addressing the current industry needs for improved dispensing accuracy, reduced radiation exposure risks, and increased drug utilization.

[0083] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The aforementioned automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system includes a printer 3, which is connected to the control structure and can print out records and reports for each operation, which is crucial for quality control and compliance checks.

[0084] The operator starts the system via the control panel 1, activating the automatic dispensing and injection program. The canister insertion assembly 5 accurately delivers the raw material shielding container 4 into the designated position of the automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system. Subsequently, the needle insertion assembly 13 raises the canister insertion assembly 5 to a predetermined height, allowing the cap opening assembly 14 to smoothly open the cap of the raw material shielding container 4. Next, the needle insertion assembly 13 further raises to the needle insertion position, completing the needle insertion action and preparing for subsequent steps.

[0085] The drug delivery pump 7 begins operation, drawing saline solution from an external source and delivering it through dispensing tubing 18. The infusion pump 9 then pumps this saline solution out through dispensing tubing 18 to check for tubing integrity. Once confirmed to be leak-free or without other issues, the system connects dispensing tubing 18 to the patient. Next, the drug delivery pump 7 draws radiopharmaceutical from the original shielding container 4 and delivers it to the dosimeter calibrator 10 for activity measurement. After measurement, the infusion pump 9 pumps out a precise amount of radiopharmaceutical solution, administering the injection to the patient. This process can be repeated to support continuous dispensing and injection operations.

[0086] Any waste fluid generated during treatment will be collected and treated. When waste fluid is generated, the outlet of the dispensing pipeline 18 will be repositioned to the waste fluid discharge port 11, which is connected to the waste fluid bottle 12 via a pipeline. The system will automatically discharge the waste fluid into the waste fluid bottle 12, ensuring environmental safety and preventing pollution.

[0087] After all patients have received their injections, the system enters an automatic cleaning mode, flushing the dispensing tubing 18 with saline solution and recovering any remaining medication into the original solution shielding container 4. Once the medication has decayed to a safe dosage range, the needle insertion assembly 13 descends, removes the needle, and returns to its initial position. The cap opening assembly 14 then functions again, replacing and sealing the cap of the original solution shielding container 4. Subsequently, the container inlet assembly 5 removes the original solution shielding container 4 from the system, where the operator must manually place it in a safe storage location.

[0088] The final step is system reset and maintenance. The operator must unlock the safety lock via the control panel 1, open the push door 17, and then manually disassemble the dispensing pipe 18, placing it in the designated waste recycling location for subsequent cleaning or replacement. This step ensures the safety and hygiene standards of the equipment, while also preparing it for the next use.

[0089] The meticulously designed dispensing method enables precise control of drug flow, reducing drug loss; the protective shielding design ensures a safe level of radiation exposure; the automated process reduces manual intervention, effectively protecting the health of operators; and the high localization rate of components (up to 95%) keeps equipment costs under control, facilitating widespread adoption. These improvements significantly overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, enhancing work efficiency and safety.

[0090] In this embodiment, the cap opening and pin insertion processes are achieved through precision mechanical components and automated control. The cap opening assembly 14 operates on the following principle: It utilizes a ball linear guide as a guiding device to ensure the accuracy and stability of the movement. A motor drives the ball screw to rotate, enabling the original liquid shielding tank cap to move linearly in the horizontal direction. When the pin insertion assembly 13 lifts the original liquid shielding tank to the predetermined opening position, the cap opening assembly 14 moves to the slot position of the original liquid shielding tank cap. Subsequently, the pin insertion assembly 13 descends, separating the cap from the original liquid shielding tank. Then, the cap opening assembly 14 moves the original liquid shielding tank cap horizontally to a clearance position, completing the entire cap opening process.

[0091] The function and operation of the pin insertion assembly 13 are as follows: The tubing needle is fixed at a designated position directly above the raw liquid shielding tank, and the raw liquid shielding tank is accurately delivered to a specific position inside the equipment by the tank inlet assembly, that is, directly above the inner support plate of the pin insertion assembly 13. The pin insertion assembly 13 also uses a ball linear guide for guidance and uses a motor to drive the ball screw to achieve the linear movement of the raw liquid shielding tank in the vertical direction. In this process, the support plate of the pin insertion assembly 13 is responsible for lifting the raw liquid shielding tank. This process includes two key positions—first, reaching the opening position; after completing the opening action, the pin insertion assembly 13 will continue to lift the raw liquid shielding tank to the highest point (i.e., the pin insertion position), thereby completing the pin insertion operation.

[0092] This design not only improves the precision and efficiency of operation, but also ensures the stability and reliability of the system, making it suitable for occasions requiring high-precision operation.

[0093] The aforementioned automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system integrates a control structure, a raw material processing structure, a fluid control structure, and a waste liquid management structure within a single mobile housing 16. This enhances operational safety and accuracy while reducing costs and increasing drug utilization. Specifically, the control structure centrally controls each functional module and can immediately halt system operation in emergencies, ensuring operator safety. The raw material processing structure handles critical operations such as storing, opening, closing, and inserting the needle for the radiopharmaceutical raw material, minimizing the possibility of human error. The fluid control structure ensures precise control of the radiopharmaceutical raw material extraction and injection process, thereby improving the accuracy of drug use. The waste liquid management structure effectively collects and stores waste liquid, preventing environmental pollution, and also reduces overall costs by recovering reusable components from the waste liquid. These design features work together to not only improve system safety and efficiency but also optimize resource utilization, making the entire treatment process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

[0094] In one embodiment, a method for operating the above-described automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system is also provided, comprising:

[0095] The control structure starts and guides the raw liquid treatment structure so that the raw liquid shielding tank 4 enters the designated position and completes the insertion of the pin;

[0096] The fluid control structure draws physiological saline and radiopharmaceuticals, performs dose calibration, and then performs precise injection.

[0097] If waste liquid is generated, it will be automatically collected and stored by the waste liquid management structure;

[0098] After all injections are completed, clean the tubing and return any remaining medication to the original solution shielding tank 4. Remove the medication after it has safely decayed.

[0099] Specifically, first, the operator starts the system via the control panel 1 of the control structure. Next, the canister insertion assembly 5 delivers the shielded container containing the radiopharmaceutical stock solution into the designated position within the system. Then, the needle insertion assembly 13 raises the canister insertion assembly 5 to an appropriate height, and the lid opening assembly 14 opens the lid of the shielded container. Afterward, the needle insertion assembly 13 continues to rise to the preset needle insertion position to complete the needle insertion operation, preparing for subsequent drug extraction.

[0100] The drug delivery pump 7 first draws normal saline into the dispensing tubing 18, while the infusion pump 9 pumps the saline out of the tubing to check its integrity. After confirmation, the dispensing tubing 18 is connected to the patient, and then the drug delivery pump 7 draws radiopharmaceutical from the original shielding container 4 into the dispensing tubing 18 and delivers it to the dose calibrator 10 for activity measurement. After dose calibration, the infusion pump 9 is responsible for injecting the precisely measured dose of radiopharmaceutical into the patient, achieving safe and effective treatment.

[0101] Any waste liquid generated during the injection process will be automatically collected. Specifically, when waste liquid is generated, the outlet of the dispensing pipeline 18 will be moved to the waste liquid discharge port 11, and the waste liquid will flow into the waste liquid tank through the pipeline, ensuring that the waste liquid is properly treated and preventing environmental pollution.

[0102] After completing the injections for all patients, the system automatically cleans the tubing and returns any remaining medication to the original solution shielding container 4. Once the medication has decayed to a safe dosage range, the needle insertion assembly 13 descends to remove the needle and replaces the container lid. Finally, the container inlet assembly 5 ejects the original solution shielding container 4 from the system, where it is manually placed in a designated storage location.

[0103] The operator unlocks the safety lock and opens the push door 17 via the operation screen 1, disassembles the used packaging pipe 18, and places it in the designated waste recycling location for further processing or disposal.

[0104] Through the above steps, the system not only achieves safe and accurate dispensing and injection of radiopharmaceuticals, but also effectively manages and disposes of the generated waste liquid, while ensuring the safety of equipment use and the convenience of maintenance.

[0105] It should be noted that those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the specific implementation process of the above-mentioned automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing and injection system can be referred to the corresponding description in the aforementioned system embodiments. For the sake of convenience and brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0106] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a housing, a control structure, a raw liquid treatment structure, a fluid control structure, a waste liquid management structure, and a moving structure; the control structure is connected to the raw liquid treatment structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure respectively; the control structure, the raw liquid treatment structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure are respectively assembled on the housing, and the housing is assembled on the moving structure; The control structure is used for the operation control of the raw liquid treatment structure, the fluid control structure, and the waste liquid management structure, and for immediately stopping the corresponding structural functions in an emergency. The original solution processing structure is used to store and process the opening, closing, and needle insertion operations of the radiopharmaceutical original solution; The fluid control structure is used for precise control of the extraction and injection process of the radiopharmaceutical stock solution. The waste liquid management structure is used to collect and store waste liquid generated during extraction and injection.

2. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The raw liquid treatment structure includes a raw liquid shielding tank and an inlet assembly; the raw liquid shielding tank is placed inside the inlet assembly.

3. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 2, characterized in that, The original liquid treatment structure includes a pin assembly and a cap opening assembly, which are assembled inside the housing.

4. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fluid control structure includes a single three-way valve assembly, a drug pump, a double three-way valve assembly, an injection pump, and a dispensing pipeline; the dispensing pipeline is respectively installed in the single three-way valve assembly, the drug pump, the double three-way valve assembly, and the injection pump.

5. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fluid control structure includes a dose calibrator, in which the dispensing tubing is installed.

6. The automated dispensing and injection system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The waste liquid management structure includes a waste liquid outlet and a waste liquid bottle; the waste liquid outlet is connected to the waste liquid bottle; the waste liquid outlet is connected to the dispensing pipeline.

7. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 6, characterized in that, The side of the shell is provided with a waste liquid shielding chamber, and the waste liquid bottle is placed in the waste liquid shielding chamber.

8. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a push door; the control unit includes an operation screen, which is placed on the push door, and a lead shielding chamber is provided inside the housing.

9. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable structure includes rollers, which are mounted on the lower part of the housing.

10. The automatic dispensing and injecting system for radiopharmaceuticals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is equipped with a hanging bracket.

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