Modular container for transporting radiopharmaceuticals or thermolabile drugs

Abstract

A modular container (1) for carrying at least one article (34), including a radiopharmaceutical, comprising two container bodies (2) couplable to each other and a rigid casing (3) formed by two covers (4) connected to each other by means of two connector elements (5) to hold the two container bodies (2) coupled together. Each container body (2) has a base portion (6), which has an inner face (7) couplable to the inner face (7) of the other container body (2), a bottom face (8) parallel to the inner face (7), two lateral outer faces (9, 10) parallel to each other and orthogonal to the inner face (7) and at least one seat (11) accessible from the inner face (7) and capable of being placed upside down on the seat (11) of the other container body (2) to close the article (34) between the two seats (11) when the two inner faces (7) are coupled together. Each cover (4) has a first portion (19) suitable for being placed on the bottom face (8) of one container body (2) and a second portion (20) orthogonal to the first portion (19) and suitable for being placed on the same lateral outer face (9, 10) of both container bodies (2).

Description

[0001] "MODULAR CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS OR THERMOLAB I LE DRUGS"

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102023000006069 filed on March 29 , 2023 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to a modular container for transporting radiopharmaceuticals or thermolabile drugs .

[0006] In particular, the present invention has an advantageous , but not exclusive , application in the distribution to the so-called radiopharmacies of radiopharmaceuticals contained in hermetic and shielded bottles , to which the description that follows will refer explicitly, but without thus losing its general nature .

[0007] Context

[0008] Up until now, most radiopharmaceuticals containing radioisotopes have normally been distributed to the so-called radiopharmacies in liquid form, in hermetic bottles which, in turn, are enclosed inside shielded containers , made of lead for example , for containment of the radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals .

[0009] The shielded container must be able to be transported safely by land and by air, which is why it must satis fy the stringent requirements imposed by the IAEA ( International Atomic Energy Agency) . In particular, document no . SSR- 6 (Rev . l ) of the IAEA identi fies the type of containment packaging to be used for the transport of radiopharmaceuticals as TYPE-A PACKAGING . This type of packaging must be substantially simple and inexpensive and simultaneously have a high mechanical resistance .

[0010] TYPE-A PACKAGING shipping containers are normally prepared manually by an operator, who inserts the shielded containers of radiopharmaceuticals one by one and then closes the shielded container . Manual preparation of TYPE -A PACKAGING shipping containers of the known type is too laborious and exposes the operator to the radiation for a considerable amount of time .

[0011] Summary

[0012] The obj ect of the present invention is to create a container for transporting one or more shielded containers for a radiopharmaceutical that is free from the problems described here above and, at the same time , is simple and cheap to manufacture .

[0013] According to the present invention, a modular container is provided for transporting at least one article comprising a radiopharmaceutical or a thermolabile drug in accordance with what is defined in the appended claims .

[0014] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and are to be considered as an integral part of this description .

[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred and non-limiting embodiment is described below, with reference to the appended drawings , wherein :

[0017] - Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the modular container of the present invention;

[0018] Figures 2 to 6 show, according to the same number of axonometric views , steps of preparing the modular container of Figure 1 .

[0019] Description of Embodiments

[0020] In Figure 1 , the number 1 indicates , as a whole , the modular container of the invention for containing at least one article (not shown) comprising a radiopharmaceutical , for example a shielded container enclosing a vial in turn containing a radiopharmaceutical . The modular container 1 comprises two container bodies 2 couplable to each other for containing the article and a removable rigid casing 3 formed of two rigid covers 4 connected to each other by means of two connector elements 5 to hold the two container bodies 2 coupled together .

[0021] Each container body 2 comprises a respective base portion 6 , which has an inner face 7 couplable to the inner face 7 of the other container body 2 in a movement parallel to an axis 2a perpendicular to the face 7 to obtain the coupling between the two container bodies 2 , a bottom outer face 8 parallel to the inner face 7 , another two lateral outer faces 9 and 10 parallel to each other and orthogonal to the inner face 7 , and comprises at least one cup seat 11 accessible from the inner face 7 , i . e . having a mouth that opens onto the inner face 7 and capable of being placed upside down, in a coaxial manner, on the cup seat 11 of the other container body 2 to close the article between the two cup seats 11 when the two inner faces 7 are coupled together .

[0022] Preferably, the cup seat 11 has a cylindrical shape . In particular, the axis of the cup seat 11 is parallel to the axis 2a . In the example shown, the base portion 6 comprises four cup seats 11 arranged with respective axes parallel to each other and in two rows , so that each cup seat 11 of a container body 2 is capable of being placed upside down on another cup seat 11 of the other container body 2 . Advantageously, each cup seat 11 is provided with a respective inner sleeve 12 , only one of which is shown in Figure 1 for simplicity, made of shielding material , for example lead, to shield the radiation originating from the radiopharmaceutical contained inside the article placed in the relative cup seat 11 .

[0023] Furthermore , each container body 2 comprises a wall 13 , which proj ects from the base portion 6 and has a second inner face 14 flat and transverse , in particular perpendicular , to the inner face 7 , and the relative base portion 6 comprises a third inner face 15 , which is flat and parallel to the inner face 14 to go in contact with the inner face 14 of the other container body 2 when the inner faces 7 of the two container bodies 2 are coupled together .

[0024] The wall 13 proj ects from a side o f the base portion 6 , so that the wall 13 and the base portion 6 define a single exposed outer face 16 of the container body 2 transverse , and in particular orthogonal , to the bottom outer face 8 and therefore parallel to the axis 2a .

[0025] Basically, the two container bodies 2 have respective L-shapes complementary to each other, so as to allow their coupling . Advantageously, the two container bodies 2 are two identical modules , so as to reduce the production costs , so that any one of the two is turned upside down onto the other by one hal fturn to close an article or several articles between a pair of cup seats 11 or, respectively, between respective pairs of cup seats 11 .

[0026] Advantageously, each base portion 6 comprises a protrusion 17 , which protrudes from the inner face 7 and extends along the inner face 7 in a C-shape , and a groove 18 , which is formed along the inner face 7 and has a shape complementary to the protrusion 17 for coupling with the protrusion 17 of the other base portion 6 when the two inner faces 7 are coupled together . In particular, the protrusion 17 defines a semi-perimeter around the mouths of the cup seats 11 and the groove 18 defines the remaining semi-perimeter around the mouths of the cup seats 11 . In this manner, it is possible to seal more carefully an inner volume between the two container bodies 2 coupled together, in which the articles housed in the respective cup seats 11 are present . Advantageously, each container body 2 is made in one piece . Each container body 2 is made of a thermally insulating material , for example high density polystyrene .

[0027] Each cover 4 comprises a first portion 19 , which is suitable for being placed on the bottom outer face 8 of one container body 2 , and a second portion 20 , which is orthogonal to the first portion 19 and is suitable for being placed on the same lateral outer face 9 , 10 of both container bodies 2 .

[0028] Each connector element 5 comprises a pin 21 and a lever 22 solidly constrained to the pin 21 . Each cover 4 comprises at least one first annular element 23 at an edge of the first portion 19 and at least one second annular element 24 at an edge of the second portion 20 . The annular element 23 of one cover 4 and the annular element 24 of the other cover 4 are designed to be placed coaxial to each other to be simultaneously engageable by one of the two pins 21 , so as to make one respective connection between the two covers 4 . Each lever 22 allows the respective pin 21 to be extracted to disconnect the covers 4 and to remove the rigid casing 3 .

[0029] According to the particular embodiment shown in Figure 1 , each cover 4 comprises a plurality of annular elements 23 arranged like a comb and a plurality of annular elements 24 arranged like a comb and designed to be arranged alternating and coaxial to the annular elements 23 .

[0030] The connection defined by each pin 21 that engages the annular elements 23 of a cover 4 and the annular elements 24 of the other cover 4 creates a latch closure . For this purpose , the second portion 20 of each cover 4 comprises an eyelet 25 and each lever 22 has a bi furcated end 26 that may be blocked at the eyelet 25 by means of a padlock (not shown) .

[0031] Basically, the two covers 4 have respective L shapes that are closed around four sides of the group formed by the two container bodies 2 coupled together to hold together the two container bodies 2 in the direction of the axis 2a . Advantageously, the two covers 4 are two identical modules , so as to reduce the production costs .

[0032] Advantageously, each cover 4 comprises at least two retaining elements 27 and 28 , which protrude from two respective opposite lateral edges 19a and 19b of the first portion 19 . The exposed outer face 16 has two end portions 29 and 30 parallel to the bottom outer face 8 . The retaining element 27 is designed to embrace an end portion 29 , 30 of the exposed outer face 16 of a container body 2 and the retaining element 28 is designed to embrace the other end portion 30 , 29 of the exposed outer face 16 of the other container body 2 to hold together the two container bodies 2 in an orthogonal direction to the axis 2a and to the outer faces 16 .

[0033] According to a particular embodiment shown in the figures , each cover 4 comprises two retaining elements 27 in a lateral edge and another two retaining elements 28 in the opposite lateral edge .

[0034] Advantageously, the first portion 19 of each cover 4 comprises two coupling elements 31 to facilitate stable stacking between several modular containers 1 at the first portions 19 of the covers 4 . Each coupling element 31 comprises a protrusion 32 and a groove 33 of a complementary shape to the protrusion 32 , so that one protrusion 32 turned upwards of a first modular container 1 couples with the groove 33 turned downwards of another modular container 1 stacked on top of the first one .

[0035] Advantageously, each cover 4 is made in one piece of moulded material . Each cover 4 is made of moulded plastic material .

[0036] Figure 2 shows the modular container 1 with a first container body 2 placed on a first cover 4 , and the rigid casing 3 open, and in particular with the second cover 4 connected to the first cover 4 by means of a single connector element 5 (not visible in Figure 2 ) and rotated around the pin 21 of said connector element 5 , and four articles 34 arranged in four cup seats 11 of the container body 2 . In particular, each article 34 is a shielded container that contains a bottle (not visible ) with a radiopharmaceutical .

[0037] Figure 3 shows the modular container 1 of Figure 2 with the addition of a second container body 2 placed upside down above the first container body 2 and ready for coupling with the first container body 2 .

[0038] Figure 4 shows the modular container with the two container bodies 2 coupled and the rigid casing 3 still open .

[0039] Figure 5 shows the modular container 1 with the rigid casing 3 closed, thanks to rotation of the second cover 4 around the pin 21 of a connector element 5 , and the pin 21 of the other connector element 5 ready to engage the relative annular elements 23 and 24 arranged coaxial between them and with the annular elements 23 alternated with the annular elements 24 . Therefore , the connection defined by each pin 21 that engages the annular elements 23 of a lid 4 and the annular elements 24 of the other lid 4 also creates a hinge that allows opening and closing of the rigid casing 3 to insert and remove the articles 34 .

[0040] Figure 6 shows the modular container 1 with the rigid casing 3 closed with both the connector elements 5 that have the respective pins 21 in engagement position and the respective levers 22 blocked on the relative eyelets 25 . The pins 21 are not visible , as they are completely concealed inside the relative annular elements 23 and 24 . Obviously, in order to extract the articles 34 from the modular container 1, it is sufficient to perform the operations shown from Figures 2 to 6 in reverse order.

[0041] The two exposed outer faces 16 remain visible even when the rigid casing 3 is closed. Therefore, on the exposed outer faces 16 it is possible to apply labels (not shown) that provide information on the contents, on the sender and on the recipient of the modular container 1.

[0042] Although the invention described here above makes particular reference to an example of a precise embodiment, it is not to be considered as limited to said example of an embodiment, as its scope includes all those variants, changes or simplifications covered by the appended claims, such as, for example: the modular container 1 is used to contain articles comprising thermolabile drugs; and the inner sleeves 12 are made of other materials, such as aluminium, stainless steel, or plexiglass, for example, depending on the type of article to be transported .

[0043] The main advantage of the modular container 1 described above is the extreme speed in preparing it, both in closing and opening, and it therefore reduces the exposure time of the operator to the radiation. Furthermore, it is very sturdy, thanks to the rigid casing 3, and protective for the contents, thanks to coupling of two container bodies 2 made of lightweight and thermally insulating material, for example high density polystyrene. The modular container 1 is inexpensive to produce, as it consists essentially of only three different pieces, i.e. the container body 2, cover 4 and connector element 5 and for each different piece two specimens or modules. Lastly, the modular container 1 is reusable a large number of times.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A modular container for carrying at least one article (34) comprising a radiopharmaceutical or a thermolabile drug, the modular container (1) comprising two container bodies (2) couplable to each other for containing the article (34) and a rigid casing (3) formed by two covers (4) connected to each other by means of two connector elements (5) to hold the two container bodies (2) coupled together; each container body (2) comprising a respective base portion (6) , which comprises a first inner face (7) couplable to the first inner face (7) of the other container body (2) to provide the coupling between the two container bodies (2) , a bottom outer face (8) parallel to the first inner face (7) , two lateral outer faces (9 10) parallel to each other and orthogonal to the first inner face (7) , and at least one cup seat (11) accessible from the first inner face (7) and capable of being placed upside down on the cup seat (11) of the other container body (2) to close the article (34) between the two cup seats (11) when the two first inner faces (7) are coupled together; each cover (4) comprising a first portion (19) , which is suitable for being placed on the bottom outer face (8) of one container body (2) , and a second portion (20) , which is orthogonal to the first portion (19) and is suitable for being placed on the same lateral outer face (9, 10) of both container bodies (2) .

2. The modular container according to claim 1, wherein each container body (2) comprises a wall (13) , which projects from the base portion (6) and has a second inner face (14) flat and transverse to the first inner face (7) , and the respective base portion (6) comprises a third inner face (15) , which is parallel to the second inner face (14) to go in contact with the second inner face (14) of the other container body (2) when the first inner faces (7) of the two container bodies (2) are coupled together .

3. The modular container according to claim 2, wherein each container body (2) comprises an exposed outer face (16) , which is transverse to the bottom outer face (8) and extends along the base portion (6) and the wall (13) , and each cover (4) comprises at least a first retaining element (27) and a second retaining element (28) , which protrude from two respective opposite lateral edges (19a, 19b) of the first portion (19) and are designed to embrace a first end portion (29, 30) of the exposed outer face (16) of a container body (2) and a second end portion (30, 29) of the exposed outer face (16) of the other container body (2) , respectively.

4. The modular container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each base portion (6) comprises a protrusion (17) , which protrudes from the first inner face (7) , and a groove (18) , which is formed along the first inner face (7) and has a shape complementary to the protrusion (17) for coupling with the protrusion (17) of the other base portion (6) when the two first inner faces (7) are coupled together.

5. The modular container according to claim 4, wherein each base portion (6) comprises a plurality of cup seats (11) , which are side-by-side with each other; the protrusion (17) defining a semi-perimeter around the mouths of the cup seats (11) and the groove (18) defining the remaining semi-perimeter around the mouths of the cup seats (11) .

6. The modular container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each connector element (5) comprises a pin (21) and each cover (4) comprises at least one first annular element (23) at the first portion (19) and at least one second annular element (24) at the second portion (20) ; the first annular element (34) of a cover (4) and the second annular element (24) of the other cover (4) being designed to be placed coaxial to each other to be simultaneously engageable by the pin (21) so as to make one respective connection between the two covers (4) .

7. The modular container according to any one of claims 1 to6, wherein the two container bodies (2) are identical and the two covers (4) are identical.

8. The modular container according to any one of claims 1 to7, wherein each container body (2) is made in one piece, preferably of high density polystyrene.

9. The modular container according to any one of claims 1 to7, wherein each cover (4) is made in one piece, preferably of plastic material.

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