Cooling devices used in medical applications

Abstract

A cooling device (10) for maintaining a medical material at a temperature below ambient room temperature preferably includes a casing (12) and a thermoelectric cooler (78) coupled to and supported by the casing (12) and having a hot side (132) and a cold side (134). A fluid moving device (72) moves a fluid into thermal contact with the hot side (132) and removes heat therefrom. First and second vial receivers (164, 184) are in thermal contact with the cold side (134) of the cooler (78) for receiving vials (172, 174) containing first and second medical materials. An agitator (34) is provided for agitating the medical material in the first vial (172) and / or the second vial (174).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to cooling devices, and more particularly to cooling devices used in medical applications. [Background technology]

[0002] It is not uncommon for medical products to require storage for a period of time under temperature-controlled refrigerated conditions, whereby the product is kept at a temperature lower than the general ambient temperature of the room the product is stored in. Additionally, some products further require agitation during storage to keep the product's ingredients or materials well dispersed and prevent them from reverting to an undesirable separated or solidified state.

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

[0004] Materials such as these often require special handling. Typically, the material is prepared at the manufacturer's location, placed in a vial, and transported, often by rapid transit, to the location where the material will be used, typically a hospital or clinic. At the hospital or clinic, the storage or transport vial is ultimately sent to a procedure or operating room where the material will be implanted in the patient. While the implantable material is in the procedure or operating room, the vial must be cooled and agitated.

[0005] Before implantable materials are implanted in a patient, they are transferred from a shipping vial to an application or implantation vial, such as a syringe, which is used to administer the medication to the patient. In the case of a syringe, this application takes the form of an injection into the patient. Preferably, this is accomplished just before the procedure begins or early during the procedure, so that the syringe filled with the implantable material is available when the physician decides to implant the material. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Applicants have therefore found it useful to provide a device capable of cooling and maintaining not only storage / transport vials, but also application / implantation vials, such as syringes. One object of the present invention is to provide such a device for providing a cooling apparatus capable of both holding vials and agitating implantable medical material and maintaining implantable medical material at a temperature below normal ambient temperature. In this regard, ambient room temperature is generally considered to be in the range of 19.44°C to 25.56°C (67°F to 78°F). [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a cooling device is provided for maintaining medical materials at temperatures below ambient room temperature.

[0008] The cooling device preferably includes a casing having an interior configured to receive a plurality of components. A thermoelectric cooler is coupled to and supported by the casing. The thermoelectric cooler includes a hot side and a cold side. A fluid moving device is provided for moving a fluid into thermal contact with the hot side to remove heat from the hot side.

[0009] A first vial receiver is in thermal contact with the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler and is configured to receive a first vial having an interior configured to receive a medical material. A second vial receiver is also provided and is in thermal contact with the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. The second vial receiver is configured to receive a second vial having an interior configured to receive a medical material. An agitator is provided for agitating the medical material in the first vial and / or the second vial.

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

[0011] Further, the first vial may include at least two first vials, and the agitator is configured to agitate the medical material in the first two vials. Further, at least one applicator configured to apply the medical material to the patient may be provided, and the cooling device may include at least one applicator receiver in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler to maintain the medical material in the applicator at a temperature below ambient temperature.

[0012] Additionally, the applicator may include a body having an outer surface, an inner surface for defining an inner needle-engaging end, an open plunger-receiving proximal end, and a plunger insertable therein, wherein 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 a further preferred embodiment, the applicator may include a body having an outer surface, an inner surface for defining a needle-engaging distal end, an open plunger-receiving proximal end, and a plunger insertable therein. 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 engageable with the applicator and the applicator receiver to securely position the applicator and the applicator receiver may be provided, the locking mechanism including a slot formed in the proximal end of the applicator receiver and a thumbscrew insertable into the slot and engageable with the annular groove of the applicator.

[0015] The cooling device may further include an applicator receiver coupled to the casing and itself including a tubular cavity having an open proximal end for receiving the applicator and a closed distal end, the proximal end of the tubular cavity being positioned higher than the distal end to position the applicator disposed therein at an oblique angle relative to the cooling device test on the mounting surface.

[0016] The cooling device may further include an applicator receiver and an applicator configured to apply the medical material to the patient. The applicator receiver may include at least one tubular passage configured to receive the applicator therein.

[0017] Additionally, an applicator-receiving radiation shield having a hollow interior for receiving the applicator therein and an applicator locking mechanism engageable between the radiation shield and the applicator to maintain the applicator within the hollow interior of the radiation shield may be provided. The applicator may include an angular groove, and the locking mechanism may include a threaded screw having an end receivable in the angular groove of the applicator.

[0018] The cooling device can also include an applicator receiver including a thermally conductive support member coupled to the casing and in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler. The support member can include at least two tubular passages configured to receive a tubular-shaped applicator having a proximal end and a distal end. The two tubular passages include relatively raised proximal ends for receiving the proximal end of the syringe-shaped applicator and distal ends for receiving the distal end of the applicator, positioning the applicator at an oblique angle relative to a mounting surface on which the cooling device rests.

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

[0020] Most preferably, the casing includes a lower casing member and further includes a heat sink in thermal contact with the exterior of the thermoelectric cooler, and the casing includes openings for allowing cooling fluid to pass between the ambient atmosphere and the interior of the casing and the heat sink.

[0021] Preferably, the fluid movement device includes an air movement device for drawing ambient air into the interior of the first casing member, moving the ambient air through the applicator into the interior of the first casing member, moving the air past the heat sink to absorb heat from the heat sink, and exhausting the heat from the heat sink from the casing through the opening. A heat sink receiving chamber may also be provided for receiving the heat sink.

[0022] Alternatively, a container for receiving a vial containing radioactive material may be provided. The container has a bottom, a sidewall including an outer surface, an inner surface, and an upper opening, and is constructed of a radiation-attenuating material having an internal cavity defined by the inner surface and a thickness defined by the distance between the inner and outer surfaces. A cap member is positionable over the upper 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 member and the thickness of the sidewall are great enough to absorb enough radiation emitted by the radioactive material so that the level of radioactivity outside the container is at an acceptably safe level.

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

[0025] These and other features and advantages will be described in the accompanying description of the drawings and the description of the invention that follows, but are limited only by the breadth and breath of the claims contained herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cooling device of the present invention showing partial disassembly of the casing with the top and middle members removed to expose the thermoelectric (Peltier) cooler and heat sink. [Figure 1A] 4 is a further exploded view similar to FIG. 3, showing one of the heat sinks removed to expose the fan member of the air handling portion of the cooling device. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective schematic view of a cooling device, some of the components of which are shown transparent; FIG. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary thermoelectric or Peltier cooler. [Figure 3]1 is a front-biased perspective view of the present invention, showing some of the components in transparency; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic agitator assembly of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a front view of a portion of the vent port of the air handler assembly. [Figure 4B] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is another rear left perspective view of the cooling device, showing some components in transparency. [Figure 6] FIG. 9 is an enlarged version of a portion of the diagram shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the front of the cooling device showing a syringe inserted into the syringe receiving member and a portion of the air handler assembly. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing the front and a portion of the top of the cooling device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a bottom-biased perspective view showing a portion of the upper assembly and magnetic stirring assembly. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a partial top view of the cooling device, seen from above, showing the vial-receiving member including the cover. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a side view of a shielded syringe of the present invention. [Figure 11A] The elements of the prior art device include an "a" after the part number, a prior art sealed syringe. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a syringe radiation shield of the present invention showing a syringe coupled thereto. [Figure 12A] FIG. 1 is a top view of the syringe shield of the present invention without a syringe connected thereto. [Figure 12B] FIG. 2 is a side view of the syringe shield of the present invention. [Figure 12C] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a syringe shield of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of an upper casing member of the alternative embodiment of the cooling device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14]14 is a frontal isometric view of an upper casing member of the present invention; FIG. 15 is a frontal isometric view of an upper casing member of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a front isometric view of the cooling device of the alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing the power plug. FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a front perspective view of the cooling device of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in transparent form. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is another front perspective view of the cooling device of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in transparent form. FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a cooling device of the present invention taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 19] 19 is a perspective rear view of an alternative embodiment of the cooling device of the present invention shown in solid lines. FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is another perspective rear view of the present invention shown in solid lines; FIG. 21 is a view of a cooling device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 21] 21 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24. FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling device of an alternative embodiment of the present invention taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 25. FIG. [Figure 23] 23 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 24. FIG. [Figure 24] 28 is a diagram of a cooling device of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 24. [Figure 25] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a syringe shield and a vial shield of the present application. [Figure 26] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the syringe shield of FIG. 14 with a syringe inserted therein. [Figure 27] FIG. 30 is a side perspective view of the vial shield of FIG. 29, shown with a vial positioned therein. [Figure 28] 1 depicts an exemplary radiation attenuating transport container according to a first aspect of the present application. [Figure 29A] 1 depicts an alternative radiation-attenuating transport container according to a further aspect of the present application. [Figure 29B] 1 depicts an alternative radiation-attenuating transport container according to a further aspect of the present application. [Figure 29C] 1 depicts an alternative radiation-attenuating transport container according to a further aspect of the present application. [Figure 29D] 1 depicts an alternative radiation-attenuating transport container according to a further aspect of the present application. [Figure 29E] 1 depicts an alternative radiation-attenuating transport container according to a further aspect of the present application. [Figure 29F] 1 depicts an alternative radiation-attenuating transport container according to a further aspect of the present application. [Figure 29G] 1 depicts an alternative radiation-attenuating transport container according to a further aspect of the present application. [Figure 30] 29A-29G depict a radiation-attenuating transport container as described with respect to FIGS. 29-29G in a fully assembled configuration. [Figure 31] 29 depicts the radiation-attenuating transport container of FIG. 28 with the lid removed in a ready-to-load configuration. [Figure 32] 29 depicts the radiation attenuating transport container of FIG. 28 in a fully loaded, ready-to-ship configuration. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 33. [Figure 35] FIG. 34 is a transparent perspective view of the upper raising of the embodiment of FIG. 33. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the solid upper casing of FIG. 35. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The following description describes, illustrates, and illustrates one or more specific embodiments of the present invention in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiment or embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may understand these principles and, with that understanding, apply them to implement not only the embodiment or embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may be conceived in accordance with these principles.

[0028] The scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such embodiments as may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0029] It should be noted that in the description and drawings, similar or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with different reference numerals, for example, when such a representation facilitates a clearer description. Furthermore, the drawings described herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some cases, proportions may be exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. Such representation and depiction methods do not necessarily imply an underlying essential purpose.

[0030] Additionally, certain figures are side views depicting only one side or one set of components of a multi-set array of components of a device. However, it will be understood that the opposite side and other sets of components are generally identical. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present invention as taught herein and as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0031] As best seen in the figures, medical material cooling device 10 has a casing 12. Casing or housing 12 includes an upper casing member 16, a lower casing member 18, and an intermediate casing member 22. Preferably, casing members 16, 18, and 22 are each constructed from a type of plastic material that can withstand antiseptic cleaning, such as cleaning in an autoclave or with harsh chemicals.

[0032] Upper casing member 16 and intermediate casing member 22 define an upper interior chamber 26, which may be generally hollow or, alternatively, filled with a solid block of thermally conductive material formed to include a hollow portion, such as a syringe-receiving passageway. Lower casing member 18 and intermediate casing member 22 define a lower interior chamber 28, which is also generally hollow but which contains multiple components therein.

[0033] The air handler assembly 32, along with the magnetic agitator 34, is housed within the lower interior chamber 28. The lower casing member 18 is generally open-box shaped and has a rectangular parallelepiped configuration. The lower casing member 18 includes a bottom panel 44 and four side panels 48, including a first short side panel 50, a second short side panel 52, a first long side panel 54, and a second long side panel 56. The four side panels 48 are disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the bottom panel 44 and define the sides of the open-box shaped lower casing member 18.

[0034] A first active heat sink 68 is disposed within the first heat sink receiving chamber 67 and is in thermal contact with the "hot" electrode of a first thermoelectric cooler, often 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 shelf 70 upon which a fan 72 of the first active heat sink 68 is disposed.

[0035] The first active heat sink 68 also includes a finned aluminum heat sink 74 having an expanded diameter portion and a reduced diameter central portion 76. The reduced diameter central portion 76 is provided to receive a first Peltier cooler 78 in thermally conductive relationship with the finned aluminum heat sink member 74. The thermoelectric cooler 78 is received on an upper surface of the reduced diameter central platform portion 76.

[0036] A diagram of a thermoelectric cooler 128 is shown in Figure 2A. A thermoelectric cooler, often called a Peltier cooler, is a semiconductor-based electronic component that operates on the Peltier effect. The Peltier cooler 128 acts as a mini-refrigerator or heat pump, depending on the application. When a DC current is passed through the Peltier cooler 128, one side 134 becomes the cold side 134 and the other side 132 becomes the hot side 132. A heat sink is required next to the thermoelectric (or Peltier) cooler 128 to continuously transfer heat from the cold side 134 to the hot side 132, keeping it cooler.

[0037] Typical Peltier cooler 128 components include a second, cold-side ceramic or aluminum substrate 135, which is provided to absorb heat from items in thermal contact with substrate 135. Cooler 128 also includes a first, hot-side ceramic or aluminum substrate 133, which is provided to absorb heat from cold-side substrate 135 and transfer the heat to a heat sink, such as heat sink 68 or heat sink 90.

[0038] A plurality of P-type semiconductor 136 and N-type semiconductor pellets 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.

[0039] A first wire lead 139 makes electrical contact to the semiconductor through a conductor 141, preferably made from copper. A second wire lead 142 is electrically coupled to the device through a second conducting tear 143 for conducting a negative current into the device.

[0040] A second heat sink receiving chamber 82 is provided in lower casing member 18 for receiving a second active heat sink 84. Second heat sink receiving chamber 82 includes a fan receiving shelf 86 for receiving a second fan 88 (FIG. 16) that is similar, if not identical, to first fan 72. Second active heat sink 84 is generally similar to first active heat sink 68.

[0041] The second active heat sink 84 includes a second fan 88 and a finned aluminum heat sink 90, which includes an expanded diameter portion and a reduced diameter central platform portion 92. The underside of a second Peltier cooler 94 is in thermal communication with and is positioned on the reduced diameter central portion 92.

[0042] The Peltier coolers 78, 94 have a cold side 134 and a hot side 132. The cold side 134 faces upward and is positioned adjacent to the vial and syringe. The hot side 132 is positioned against a finned aluminum heat sink. The Peltier coolers 78, 94 are reasonably efficient; they were able to cool adjacent chambers of the device 10 to about 5°C within about 15 minutes using two of the 48-watt Peltier coolers 78, 94.

[0043] The Peltier coolers 78, 94 are also very effective at keeping the cooled material within a desired temperature range. Preferably, the Peltier coolers 78, 94 keep the material within a range of anywhere from about 2°C to 8°C. The material in the syringe should not get any colder than this and freeze. A small controller (not shown) is operatively coupled to the Peltier coolers 78, 94 and controls their operation so that the Peltier coolers maintain the proper temperature and prevent the cooled medical material from freezing or overheating.

[0044] The second long side panel 56 of the lower casing unit 16 includes a plurality of suction openings 93. The suction openings 93 allow air to enter the first suction chamber 110 and the second suction chamber 112 to cool the heat sinks 74, 84 and thereby the Peltier coolers 78, 94. The first suction chamber 110 is disposed below the first heat sink 74 and the Peltier cooler, and the second suction chamber 112 is disposed below the second heat sink 84 and the Peltier cooler 94.

[0045] The lower casing member 18 includes an upper edge 96 and a transverse central member 97 that extends between the first long side panel 54 and the second long side panel 56. The upper edge 96 and the upper surface of the transverse central member 97 are sized and positioned to receive a lower edge 98 of the peripheral skirt of the intermediate casing member 22. A vertically oriented bolt-receiving opening 100 is threaded to receive a threaded bolt 180 that connects the upper casing member, the intermediate casing member 22, and the lower casing member 18 together.

[0046] An output shaft receiving opening 102 is centrally disposed in the transverse central member 97 and is sized and positioned to receive an output shaft 104 of the magnet member 34. The intermediate casing member 22 also includes a horizontally disposed panel 106. The peripheral skirt 99 includes a plurality of exhaust openings 114 through which air that has already passed over the first heat sink 74 and the second heat sink 84 can be exhausted to the ambient atmosphere.

[0047] The intermediate member 22 also includes four bolt receiving openings 113 that are aligned with the bolt receiving openings 100 of the base member, and the connecting bolts 180 pass through the bolt receiving openings 113. The horizontally disposed panel 106 also includes a first Peltier cooler receiving opening 116 and a second Peltier cooler receiving opening 118 for receiving the first Peltier cooler 78 and the second Peltier cooler 94, respectively.

[0048] A central recess 120 is formed in the horizontally disposed panel 106 and is generally located in the center of the horizontally disposed panel 106. The horizontally disposed panel 106 of the middle casing member 22 includes a transverse member 119 extending transversely between the first long side and the second long side, and is sized, configured, and positioned to engage the transverse member 97 of the lower casing member 16.

[0049] The central recessed portion 120 is sized and positioned to receive the magnet housing 122 along with the first magnet 124 and second magnet 126 of the magnetic agitator member 34. A central opening 130 is formed in the central recessed portion 120 to receive the output shaft 104 of the magnet member 34.

[0050] The magnetic agitator 34 has a motor 140, an output shaft 104, and a magnet 122 including a first magnet 124 and a second magnet 126. Magnets of the type shown are commercially available from a variety of sources, and preferably, the magnetic member 34 is designed to operate with a 12V DC electrical input.

[0051] The upper casing member 18 includes a top panel 146, a first short side panel 148, a second short side panel 150, a first long side panel 152, and a second long side panel 154. Like the lower casing member 18, the upper casing member 16 is generally rectangular in configuration.

[0052] A vial receiver 164 extends generally vertically through the center of upper casing member 16. Vial receiver 164 includes a collar portion 166 that extends over the upper surface of the top panel of upper casing member 16. A cap 168 is hingedly connected to collar 166 and is movable between an open position and a closed position.

[0053] Vial receiver 164 includes a vial-receiving chamber 170 into which a first vial 172 and a second vial 174 may be placed. First vial 172 and second vial 174 contain medical material that has been cooled by a deployable cooling device and are vials in which the medical material is stored before being placed for transport to a hospital or facility and / or placed into an application vial, such as the syringe shown herein.

[0054] A coin-shaped first vial-receiving platform 176, preferably made from aluminum, is disposed on the base of vial-receiving chamber 170 so as to be positioned below first vial 172. A coin-shaped second vial-receiving platform 178, also preferably made from aluminum, is positioned at the bottom of vial-receiving chamber 170 below second vial 174.

[0055] The upper casing member 16 includes four bolt-receiving passages 179 for receiving four bolts 180, each having a threaded end 183. The bolts 180 pass through the receiving passages 179, pass through mating openings 113 in the middle casing member 22, and enter blind holes 100 in the lower casing member 16 that are threaded to receive the threads 183 of the bolts 180.

[0056] Once engaged within passage 179 and received by the threads of base member 16, bolt 180 securely engages and connects the three casing members 16, 18, 22 to one another. However, bolt 180 is also removable from its threaded engagement with base member 16 to allow the three casing members 16, 18, 22 to be separated from one another, thereby facilitating both manufacturing and repair of device 10.

[0057] A cylindrical first vial shield 182 is disposed on top of the first coin-shaped vial plate 176 and is sized and configured to receive the first vial 172 therein within the vial-receiving chamber 170. Similarly, a cylindrical second vial shield 184 is disposed on top of the second coin-shaped vial platform 178 and is sized and configured to receive the second vial 174 within the vial-receiving chamber 170. As described below, the vial platform 176 may be coupled to the vial shield 182 to serve as the base 176 of the vial shield 182.

[0058] The purpose of the first vial shield 182 and the second vial shield 184 is to contain the radiation within the vials 172, 174 and help prevent radiation from escaping the vials 172, 174 and entering the ambient atmosphere around the cooler 10. Due to the low radiation output of beta emitters such as yttrium, applicants have found that a polycarbonate material works well to serve as the vial shields 182, 184.

[0059] One advantage of using polycarbonate material is that it is transparent, allowing the user to monitor the levels of material in first vial 172 and second vial 174. Nevertheless, it is envisioned that other materials may be or may need to be used if different types of radioactive materials are used, requiring different levels of shielding to prevent the escape of dangerous radioactive emissions.

[0060] A first medical material applicator 196, a second medical material applicator 194, a third medical material applicator 195, and a fourth medical material applicator 197, shown here as syringes 196, 194, 195, and 197, are provided along with the cooling devices 10, 410 shown in the figures. The medical material applicators 196, 194, 195, and 197 are provided for applying medical material to a patient, such as by implanting radioactive material into tissue to help eradicate cancer cells in the patient.

[0061] Nevertheless, it will be understood that other models, sizes, and configurations may be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, a chiller device 10 may be employed that is capable of cooling a single syringe 190 or multiple syringes, such as six, eight, or twelve syringes 190 beyond the present model shown in the drawings. In this regard, the device 10 may be scaled to increase or decrease the number and size of syringes 190 and vials 172, 174 to accommodate various needs.

[0062] Additionally, the vial receiver can be scaled to accommodate various sizes of vials. For example, cooling device 10 can be scaled to hold, and the device can be said to hold, 10 mL vials, 20 mL vials, or even larger or smaller vials.

[0063] Additionally, the power of the Peltier cooler cooling components 78, 94 and their associated heat sinks can be varied from that shown, such as by employing a Peltier cooler component (e.g., 78) with four times the cooling capacity of the 48 W cooler shown in the drawings. If this high performance Peltier cooler is used, Peltier cooling can be achieved with a single cooler rather than the dual coolers 78, 94 shown in the drawings, because the aluminum block is an efficient heat conductor. With a single cooler component, device 10 can be reconfigured so that all vials and syringes are located on a single Peltier cooler unit.

[0064] The upper casing member 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.

[0065] Syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198 are each generally cylindrical in shape and sized and configured to receive generally cylindrical syringes 190, 194, 195, 197. Syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198 are also configured to be positioned relatively high on the front panel of device 10 and low on the back panel of the device so that when syringes 190, 194, 195, 197 are placed in their respective syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198, the syringes are tilted at an oblique angle relative to the surface on which their casings rest, such that their distal or needle ends are positioned at a lower level than their proximal or plunger ends.

[0066] This angled arrangement helps to concentrate the material in the syringes 190, 194, 195, 197 near the proximal ends of the syringe barrels, thereby placing the material inside the cooling device and helping to maintain the material in the syringes at the proper temperature.

[0067] Syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198 each have an open proximal end 202 through which a syringe can be inserted and a closed distal end 204. A slotted thumbscrew receiving slot 208 is formed near the proximal end 202 of the syringe receiver and is sized and configured to receive a thumbscrew 210. Thumbscrew 210 can be rotated and moved axially to engage and disengage the syringe, helping to maintain the syringe in position within the respective syringe receiver and preventing it from falling out and being damaged.

[0068] A cylindrical rounded-bottom shield 212 having a hollow interior and a closed distal end is coupled to the distal portion of each of the syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198 to receive the distal end of the syringe therein. The rounded-bottom shield 212 helps to provide shielding against radioactive emissions.

[0069] 15, each syringe, for example 190, includes a proximal end 220 into which a plunger 222 is inserted, a central body or barrel portion 224, and a distally disposed needle portion 226. A needle cover 228 is disposed over the distal needle portion 226 to prevent damage to the needle portion 226 and to prevent the user from being inadvertently pricked by the needle of the distal needle portion 226.

[0070] An applicator receiving radiation shield 230 is provided to be received within each of the syringe receivers 192, 193, 196, 198 and is sized and configured to receive the syringes 190, 194, 195, 197 within a hollow interior receiving cavity 238 of the applicator receiving radiation shield 230 itself.

[0071] An exemplary radiation-attenuating applicator shield 230 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 11A, 12A-12C, 25 and 26. FIG.

[0072] Radiation-attenuating applicator shield 230 is configured to surround and encase syringe 190 and serves to attenuate radiation emitted from a radioactive material contained in syringe 190. Radiation-attenuating shield 230 is hereinafter referred to as syringe shield 230. Syringe shield 230 is configured to reduce the amount of radiation a user is exposed to when using syringe 190 to inject a target (e.g., a patient), for example, during treatment.

[0073] Syringe shield 230 is depicted in the form of a substantially hollow cylinder 326 extending between proximal end 232 and distal end 236. Syringe shield 230 has a central body portion 234 defined by an outer wall 336. Central body portion 234 is configured to receive and surround the central body of syringe 190 therein. In this manner, radiation emitted from the radioactive material contained within the central body of syringe 190 passes through outer wall 336 of syringe shield 230 before contacting the user.

[0074] An outer wall 336 of syringe shield 230 is fabricated from a radiation-attenuating material 324. In this manner, syringe shield 230 reduces the intensity (e.g., level) of radiation to which a user is exposed. Outer wall 336 includes a thickness 340. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the particular material 324 utilized and the thickness 340 of the material will affect the radiation reduction (e.g., attenuation) provided by syringe shield 230.

[0075] The radiation-attenuating material 324 can take the form of polycarbonate. Applicants have found that the use of polycarbonate material 324 provides adequate attenuation / shielding capabilities against beta radiation waves, which are the type of waves commonly emitted by exemplary yttrium radioactive materials often used in connection with the present invention. Advantageously, the polycarbonate 324 syringe shield 230 can also be transparent, thereby allowing a user to easily view the syringe and markings through the syringe shield 230.

[0076] However, syringe shield 230 may be formed from a variety of radiation-attenuating polymers, including PVC, acrylic, etc., and / or a variety of other radiation-attenuating materials. The material selected should work well with the particular type of radiation being emitted in addition to the desired radiation reduction. Syringe shield 230 may be scaled to accommodate syringes 190 of various sizes and / or to accommodate various strengths of radioactive material.

[0077] In the assembled configuration, with the syringe 190 properly positioned within the syringe shield 230, the needle portion 226 of the syringe 190 extends outward from the opening 330 toward the distal end 326, and the plunger 222 of the syringe 190 extends outward from the opening 338 located toward the proximal end 232.

[0078] Syringe 190 is retained within syringe shield 230 via locking mechanism 210. As best shown in FIG. 26 , thumbscrew locking mechanism 210 includes a threaded rod 319 that extends through a threaded opening 244 located in outer wall 336.

[0079] When the locking mechanism 210 is threaded into the opening 244, the distal end (not shown) of the threaded rod 319 contacts the syringe 190 and holds the syringe 190 within the syringe shield 230, thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the syringe 190 within the syringe shield 230.

[0080] The interior of the distal end 236 of the syringe shield 230 may include a reduced diameter portion or stop for contacting the distal end of the syringe 190. Preferably, an O-ring 331 is located on the interior surface of the syringe shield 230 toward the opening 330 in the distal end 236. The O-ring 331 is configured to snugly engage the syringe 190 to prevent movement of the syringe 190 within the syringe shield 230.

[0081] To insert the syringe 190 into the syringe shield 230, the needle portion 226 of the syringe 190 is inserted through the proximal opening 338. The needle portion 226 passes through the hollow interior cavity 328 and extends through the distal opening 330. With the needle portion 226 extending outward from the distal opening 330, the central portion of the syringe 190 is surrounded by the outer wall 336 and the locking mechanism 210 can be secured.

[0082] Syringe shield 230 is depicted as including a gripping portion 334 located toward the proximal end. Gripping portion 334 is configured to provide a location for a user to grip syringe shield 230. For example, a user may grasp gripping portion 334 between their index and middle fingers when manipulating plunger 222 to draw radioactive material into syringe 190 and / or to inject radioactive material from syringe 190.

[0083] 14, it has been discovered that constructing syringe shield 230 from polycarbonate material 324 provides syringe shield 230 with a relatively thin profile compared to prior art syringe shields, even though thickness 340 of outer wall 336 material 324 is sufficiently thick to provide the desired radiation reduction. This relatively thin profile, which results from reducing the outer diameter of syringe shield 230 (compared to that of the prior art), is believed to make syringe shield 230 easier to handle and use.

[0084] As best shown in FIG. 15 , a power supply is provided for the present invention. The power supply 248 preferably plugs into a standard 110V AC outlet and converts the power to a 12V DC power output. This power supply can be a standard power supply or can include a controller 249 for controlling the operation of the device, such as whether the device is turned on or off. The controller 249 can also control the operation of the Peltier coolers 78, 94 to ensure that they cool the material to the appropriate temperature range and maintain the temperature within that appropriate range. Alternatively, a separate controller (not shown) can be provided on the device 10. As with most such power supplies, the device 10 is provided with an outlet into which the power supply 248 is plugged.

[0085] An alternative embodiment chiller device 251 is shown in Figures 13-22. The alternative embodiment device 251 is generally similar to the primary chiller device 10 described above and includes like components numbered similarly to corresponding parts of the chiller 10. Primarily, the alternative embodiment chiller device 251 represents an improved version of the chiller device 10 shown in Figures 1-16.

[0086] The following components are notably modified in the alternative embodiment device 251. First, there is a controller 252, including a display, that operates the device. The controller 252 includes a display that displays the current parameters of the device, such as whether it is on or off, and the temperature of one or more internal portions of the device, which should be reasonably close to the temperature of the material contained in the syringe. Additionally, the display 252 can display the rotational speed of the magnetic agitator 34.

[0087] The primary purpose of controller 252 is to control the temperature of cooling device 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) is in communication with or is part of controller 252, allowing controller 252 to know the real-time temperature of aluminum block 266, or preferably a shield for the test tube.

[0088] A magnetic agitator speed control knob 254 is located adjacent to the display-containing controller 252. Both the magnetic agitator speed control knob 254 and the display-containing controller 252 are connected to a box-shaped controller housing 258 that is connected to the side of the base casing member 16.

[0089] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, an alternative embodiment syringe bottom receiving shield 260 is shown that includes sufficient interior space to receive the distal ends of two test tubes, rather than the single test tube capacity receptacle shown in cooling device 10 of Figures 1-12.

[0090] 13 and 14, an aluminum block chiller 266 is shown. The aluminum block chiller 266 is sized and positioned to fit within the interior of the upper casing member 18. The aluminum block chiller 266 functions as a thermal conductor, exchanging heat from the Peltier coolers 78, 94 and positioning it adjacent the vial housing 170 and test tube receptacles 192, 193, 196, 198 to better cool the test tubes contained therein. Preferably, the chiller block 266 is made from aluminum, which is lightweight and a very efficient heat conductor.

[0091] 29 and 31, an exemplary vial shield assembly 182 will be described in more detail. The vial shield assembly 182 serves as a radiation shield for attenuating radiation to reduce exposure from radioactive material contained within the vial 172. The vial shield assembly 182 extends between a closed lower portion 310 defined by the first vial-receiving platform 176 and an upper portion 312. An outer wall 302 extends upwardly from the platform 176 to the upper portion 312.

[0092] A vial-receiving cavity 318 is defined above base 176 and within outer wall 302. Vial-receiving cavity 318 includes an inner diameter 307 large enough to accommodate vial 172 therein. Vial-receiving cavity 318 is accessible through an opening 316 located in upper portion 312.

[0093] The vial shield assembly 182 (FIG. 27) may have a cylindrical shape 308 with a substantially hollow interior. The outer wall 302 is shown as having a height approximately equal to or greater than the height of the vial 172, which is depicted as approximately equal to the vial cap 303.

[0094] 27, an outer wall 302 of the vial shield assembly container 182 surrounds the vial 303. The outer wall 302 is constructed of a radiation-attenuating material, such as polycarbonate. In this manner, radiation emitted by the radioactive material within the vial 172 is attenuated by the outer wall 302.

[0095] The present application has found that using polycarbonate material 306 provides adequate radiation shielding for beta radiation and is advantageously transparent. However, vial shield assembly 182 may alternatively be formed from a variety of radiation-attenuating polymers, including PVC, acrylic, etc., and / or may be formed from a variety of other radiation-attenuating materials. The material selected is based on the particular type of radiation emitted and the desired radiation reduction.

[0096] The outer wall 302 has a thickness 304 that affects the reduction of radiation. In general, the degree of shielding is proportional to the thickness of the outer wall 302.

[0097] The lower portion 310 of the vial shield assembly 182 includes a base 176 that is configured to facilitate heat transfer between the vial 172 and the Peltier cooling elements 78 and 94 when the vial shield assembly 182 is placed within the cooling device 10. The base 176 is constructed of a thermally conductive material 311, such as aluminum. However, the base 176 may be constructed of a variety of alternative thermally conductive materials.

[0098] Base 176 is depicted as being a stepped base 176 including a lower base 314 portion and a reduced diameter upward extension 315 portion. The lower surface of outer wall 302 rests on lower base 314. Upward extension portion 315 extends upward and is disposed within outer wall 302.

[0099] The lower portion of vial 172 rests on upward extension 315. Lower base 314 and upward extension 315 may take the form of a flattened cylinder, roughly coin-like in shape.

[0100] The vial 172 is retained within the vial shield assembly 182 by a locking mechanism 188. The locking mechanism 188 includes a threaded rod 320 that threadingly engages a threaded opening 301 in the outer wall 302. When a user screws the threaded rod 320 inward, a distal end 309 of the threaded rod 319 having a thumbscrew 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 threaded rod 319 contacts the vial 172 at a location above the shoulder 305 of the vial 172, retaining the vial 172 within the internal cavity 318.

[0101] 28, there is shown an exemplary radiation-attenuating vial shipping container 341. The shipping container 341 includes a housing 342 that receives a vial 172 therein within a vial-receiving cavity 350. The primary purpose of the housing 342 is to serve as a radiation shield for the radioactive material contained within the vial 172 during transport.

[0102] Housing 342 includes a base 344 and a lid 352. Base 344 extends between a closed lower portion 346 and an open upper portion 348. A vial-receiving cavity 350 extends downwardly into base 344 and is configured to receive and house the lower portion of vial 172 therein.

[0103] The underside 369 of the lid 352 is depicted as including an upwardly extending chamber 368. The chamber 368 is configured to receive an upper portion of the vial 172, such as the top portion 303 of the vial 172. When the lid 352 is secured onto the base 344, the vial 172 is completely surrounded and enclosed by the container 340.

[0104] The shipping container 340 can include a locking mechanism 354. The locking mechanism 354 is configured to maintain the lid 352 securely on the base 344 during transport. As shown, the locking mechanism 354 can take the form of a locking ball plunger, which includes a threaded rod 351 from which a spring-loaded plunger ball 355 extends.

[0105] A threaded rod 351 extends inwardly from a wall 353 of the base 344. A lower portion of the lid 369 includes a grooved channel 356 configured to cooperate with and receive a spring-loaded plunger ball 355.

[0106] A plunger ball 355 coupled to the base 344 is inserted into a channel 356 in the lid 352, thereby securely locking the lid 352 to the base 344. Alternatively, the lid 352 can be securely held to the base 344 through a variety of other mechanisms, such as threads, twist locks, snap locks, bayonet mounts, etc.

[0107] The lid 352 and base 344 are constructed of a material 364 having radiation attenuating properties. The shipping container 340 is depicted as being formed from acrylic 364. However, a variety of materials having suitable radiation attenuating properties may be utilized.

[0108] Examples of such materials include PVC, polycarbonate, or other radiation-attenuating materials. The base 344 and lid 352 may be formed of similar or different materials, depending on the desired characteristics of the finished container 340.

[0109] Base 344 must include a wall thickness 358 that is large enough to provide the desired level of attenuation. As discussed above, the thickness 358 necessary to ensure that the user is not overexposed to radiation depends on the characteristics of the particular radioactive material contained within vial 172. These characteristics include the intensity and wavelength of the radiation, as well as the material 364 from which shipping container 340 is constructed. The thickness of lid 352 and the thickness of lower portion 346 must also be considered when determining the attenuation of shipping container 340.

[0110] Shipping container 340 is depicted as including a substantially cylindrical exterior 362. Lid 352 may include a finger-engageable recessed groove 360 ​​to facilitate manipulation by a user.

[0111] 29A to 32, a further embodiment of radiation-attenuating transport container 370 will be described. Similar to transport container 341, transport container 370 functions as a radiation shield for attenuating radiation emitted from the radioactive material in vial 172, and also functions as a container for containing vial 172.

[0112] Shipping container 370 includes a base 372 and a lid 382. The base defines an interior cavity 386 configured to receive vial 172 therein. Base 372 includes an upper portion 378 and a lower portion 374.

[0113] Base 372 includes a double-walled design. Base 372 includes an interior hollow liner 376 extending between a first end 373 and a second end 375. Second end 375 of liner 376 extends into and is secured to lower portion 374. First end 373 of liner 376 extends into and is secured to upper portion 374. Hollow liner 376 defines an interior cavity 386 in which vial 172 is disposed.

[0114] Lower portion 374 includes a closed, substantially planar bottom 394. An opening 392 is located in upper portion 378. Opening 392 provides access to interior cavity 386 when threaded lid 382 is disengaged from the female-threaded opening 392 in base 372 of container 370.

[0115] When the lid 382 is engaged with the base 372, the transport container 370 contains and encloses the vial 172. In this manner, radiation emitted from the radioactive material within the vial 172 must travel through the walls of the container 370 before reaching a human user.

[0116] Lid 382 includes a plurality of external male threads 384 that cooperate with and engage internal threads 380 formed in the inner wall extending radially inward to upper portion 378 to selectively open and close container 370. Lid 382 may include a hexagonal-shaped upper portion 383 for ease of gripping and adjustment by hand or with a wrench.

[0117] The transport container 370 is depicted as being constructed of PVC 180. However, the use of other radiation-attenuating materials is contemplated herein. The transport container 370 is depicted as having a substantially cylindrical configuration 396.

[0118] 32 depicts shipping container 370 in a closed, ready-to-ship configuration. In this configuration, vial 172 is placed in internal cavity 386 and lid 382 is threaded onto base 372, thereby enclosing internal cavity 386 and enclosing vial 172 therein. Shipping container 370 may be inserted into support block 398 to securely hold container 370 during transport.

[0119] The support block 398 is depicted as a Styrofoam block having an opening 400 therethrough that is sized and configured to snugly receive the container 370 therein. The lower portion 374 of the container 370 is inserted into and snugly received by the opening 400. The support block 398 with the container 370 inserted therein can then be packaged and shipped in a standard box or other external shipping container (not shown).

[0120] 33-36, there is shown another alternative embodiment cooling device 410. Cooling device 410 generally includes the same functional components as cooling device 10 described above, but arranges those components in a manner different from the manner in which the components are arranged in the cooling device described above in connection with FIGS.

[0121] The cooling device 410 includes a first casing member 414, a second casing member (not shown) in which a thermoelectric cooler (not shown) is mounted, and a third casing member 418.

[0122] The third casing member may comprise an aluminum block into which various features are drilled or machined. The third casing member 418 must comprise a thermally conductive material, and the material housed by the third casing member 418 is in thermal contact with a thermoelectric cooler (not shown) to maintain the material at a temperature below ambient room temperature.

[0123] The cooling device 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 generally similar to those described above and are preferably in contact with a magnetic agitator (not shown) so that the medical material contained therein can be agitated by the magnetic agitator. A cap member 426 is provided to cover the first vial 423 and the second vial 425. The cap serves as an insulator to insulate the first vial 423 and the second vial 425 and also serves as a radiation attenuator to insulate the surrounding area around the cooling device 410 from radioactive emissions that may be emitted by the medical material in the first vial 423 and the second vial 425. However, as mentioned above, this radiation isolation feature primarily serves as a backup to the radioactive attenuation provided by the thickened polycarbonate material from which first vial container 423 and second vial container 425 are made.

[0124] The third casing member 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 provided for receiving therein a syringe-type applicator 434 encased within a radiation shield 436.

[0125] While the present invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under law. The scope of the present invention should therefore be considered in terms of the following claims, and not be understood to be limited to the details of construction and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.

[0126] The use of the words preferred, preferably, or preferred in the above description indicates that the feature so described may be more desirable, but it should nevertheless be understood that it may not be necessary, and any embodiment lacking it may be contemplated as being within the scope of the invention, which scope is defined by the claims that follow.

[0127] When reading the claims, the use of terms such as "a," "an," "at least one," "at least a portion," etc., is intended to indicate that no attempt is made to limit the claim to only one item unless the claim specifically states to the contrary. Furthermore, the use of the language "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" means that an item may include a portion and / or an entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0128] Below is a list of numbered parts that are disclosed and described in connection with the present invention. [Table 1] [Table 2] [Table 3] [Table 4]

[0129] [Embodiment] (1) A cooling device (10) for maintaining a medical material at a temperature below ambient room temperature, comprising: a. a casing (12) having an interior (20) configured to receive a plurality of components; b. a thermoelectric cooler (78) coupled to and supported by the casing (12), the thermoelectric cooler (78) including a hot side (132) and a cold side (134); c. a fluid mover (72) for moving a fluid into thermal contact with said hot side (132) and removing heat from said hot side (132); d. a first vial receiver (164) in thermal contact with the cold side (134) of the thermoelectric cooler (78), the first vial receiver (164) configured to receive a first vial (170) having an interior configured to receive a medical material; e. a second vial receiver (184) in thermal contact with the cold side (134) of the thermoelectric cooler (78), the second vial receiver (184) configured to receive a second vial (174) having an interior configured to receive a medical material; f. an agitator (34) for agitating the medical material in the first vial (170) and / or the second vial (174); a cooling device. (2) The cooling device of embodiment 1, wherein the first vial (172) and the second vial (174) are configured for transporting and / or storing the medical material. (3) The cooling device of embodiment 2, wherein the first vial receiver (164) comprises a plastic container having a metal bottom for facilitating heat transfer between the exterior and interior of the container, and the container is constructed of a radiation-attenuating material. (4) The cooling device according to embodiment 2, wherein the agitator (34) is configured to agitate the medical material in the first vial (172) and the second vial (174). (5) The cooling device of embodiment 1, further comprising at least one applicator (190) configured to apply medical material to a patient, wherein the cooling device (10) comprises at least one applicator receiver (192) in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler (78) to maintain the medical material in the applicator (190) below ambient temperature.

[0130] (6) further comprising an applicator shield (230) for receiving the applicator (190) therein; The applicator (190) includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface for defining an inner needle-engaging distal end, an open plunger-receiving proximal end (220), and an internally insertable plunger (222); A cooling device as described in embodiment 5, wherein the applicator shield (230) includes an annular groove configured to be engaged by a user's finger to facilitate movement of the applicator shield (230) and the applicator (190). (7) The cooling device of embodiment 6, further comprising a locking mechanism (210) engageable with the applicator (190) and the applicator receiver (192) to securely position the applicator (190) within the applicator receiver (192). (8) A cooling device as described in embodiment 6, wherein the locking mechanism (210) includes a slot (208) formed in the proximal end of the applicator receiver (192) and a threaded rod (210) insertable into the slot (208) and engageable with the applicator shield (230). (9) A cooling device as described in embodiment 6, wherein the applicator receiver (192) is connected to the casing (12) and includes a tubular cavity having an open proximal end (202) for receiving the applicator and a closed distal end (204), and the proximal end (202) of the tubular cavity is positioned higher than the distal end (204) to position the applicator placed therein at an oblique angle relative to the mounting surface of the cooling device (10). (10) further comprising an applicator receiver (192) and an applicator (190) configured to apply the medical material to the patient; 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the applicator receiver (192) includes at least one tubular passage configured to receive the applicator (190) within the passage.

[0131] (11) The cooling device 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) to maintain the applicator (190) within the hollow interior of the applicator radiation shield (230). (12) The cooling device of embodiment 11, wherein the applicator radiation shield (230) includes an annular groove, and the locking mechanism (210) includes a threaded rod having an end receivable within the applicator radiation shield (320) and engageable with the applicator (190). (13) The cooling device according to embodiment 10, wherein the applicator receiver (192) includes a thermally conductive support member coupled to the casing (12) and in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler (78), the support member including at least two tubular passages (192, 193) configured to receive tubular applicators (190, 194) having proximal and distal ends (220, 226), the two tubular passages (192, 193) including relatively raised proximal ends (202) for receiving the proximal ends (220) of the tubular applicators (190, 194) and distal ends (204) for receiving the distal ends (226) of the tubular applicators (190, 194), thereby positioning the applicators at an oblique angle relative to a mounting surface on which the cooling device (10) rests. (14) The cooling device of embodiment 1, wherein the casing (12) includes a first casing member (18) for housing the fluid moving device, a second casing member (22) to which the thermoelectric cooler (78) is attached, and a third casing member (16) to which an applicator receiver (190) is connected, and the applicator receiver (192) is in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler (78). (15) The casing (12) includes a first casing member (18), a heat sink (68) in thermal contact with the hot side (132) of the thermoelectric cooler (78); 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the casing includes an opening (114) for allowing a cooling fluid to pass between the ambient atmosphere and the interior of the casing (12) and the heat sink (68).

[0132] (16) The cooling device of claim 15, wherein the fluid movement device (72) includes an air movement device for drawing ambient air into the interior of the first casing member (18), moving the ambient air into the interior of the first casing member (18) through the opening (114), moving the air past the heat sink (68) to absorb heat from the heat sink (68), and exhausting the heated air from the casing (12) through the opening (114). (17) The cooling device of claim 16, further comprising a heat sink receiving chamber (66) for receiving the heat sink (68). (18) A container (182) for containing a vial (172) containing radioactive material, said container (172) having a bottom (310), a sidewall (302) including an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper opening (315), a vial-receiving interior cavity (318) defined by said inner surface, and a radiation-attenuating material having a thickness defined by the distance between said inner surface and said outer surface; a cap member (352) positionable over the top opening (315), the cap member (352) having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a thickness defined by a distance between the top surface and the bottom surface; It consists of The thickness (358) of the cap member and the sidewall (302) is great enough to absorb sufficient radiation emitted by radioactive medical material so that the level of radioactivity outside the container (182) is at an acceptably safe level. (19) further comprising a locking mechanism (351) for maintaining the second container (303) within the container (182); 19. The container of claim 18, wherein the container (182) includes a metal bottom for facilitating cooling of the radioactive material contained within the container (182) and the second container (303).

Claims

1. A cooling device (10) for maintaining a medical material at a temperature below ambient room temperature, comprising: a. a casing (12) having an interior (20) configured to receive a plurality of components; b. a thermoelectric cooler (78) coupled to and supported by the casing (12), the thermoelectric cooler (78) including a hot side (132) and a cold side (134); c. a fluid mover (72) for moving a fluid into thermal contact with said hot side (132) and removing heat from said hot side (132); d. a first vial receiver (164) in thermal contact with the cold side (134) of the thermoelectric cooler (78), the first vial receiver (164) configured to receive a first vial (170) having an interior configured to receive a medical material; e. a second vial receiver (184) in thermal contact with the cold side (134) of the thermoelectric cooler (78), the second vial receiver (184) configured to receive a second vial (174) having an interior configured to receive a medical material; f. an agitator (34) for agitating the medical material in the first vial (170) and / or the second vial (174); a cooling device.

2. 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the first vial (172) and the second vial (174) are configured for transport and / or storage of the medical material.

3. 3. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein the first vial receiver (164) comprises a plastic container having a metal bottom to facilitate heat transfer between an exterior and an interior of the container, the container being constructed of a radiation-attenuating material.

4. 3. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein the agitator (34) is configured to agitate medical material in the first vial (172) and the second vial (174).

5. 10. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising at least one applicator configured to apply medical material to a patient, the cooling device including at least one applicator receiver in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler to maintain the medical material in the applicator below ambient temperature.

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

7. 7. The cooling device of claim 6, further comprising a locking mechanism (210) engageable with the applicator (190) and the applicator receiver (192) to fixedly position the applicator (190) within the applicator receiver (192).

8. 7. The cooling device of claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism includes a slot formed in a proximal end of the applicator receiver and a threaded rod insertable into the slot and engageable with the applicator shield.

9. 7. The cooling device of claim 6, wherein the applicator receiver (192) is connected to the casing (12) and includes a tubular cavity having an open proximal end (202) for receiving the applicator and a closed distal end (204), the proximal end (202) of the tubular cavity being positioned higher than the distal end (204) to position the applicator positioned therein at an oblique angle relative to a mounting surface of the cooling device (10).

10. an applicator receiver (192) and an applicator (190) configured to apply the medical material to the patient; 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the applicator receiver (192) includes at least one tubular passageway configured to receive the applicator (190) therein.

11. 11. The cooling apparatus 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) to maintain the applicator (190) within the hollow interior of the applicator radiation shield (230).

12. 12. The cooling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the applicator radiation shield includes an annular groove, and the locking mechanism includes a threaded rod having an end receivable within the applicator radiation shield and engageable with the applicator.

13. 11. The cooling device of claim 10, wherein the applicator receiver includes a thermally conductive support member coupled to the casing and in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler, the support member including at least two tubular passages configured to receive tubular applicators having proximal and distal ends, the two tubular passages including relatively raised proximal ends for receiving the proximal ends of the tubular applicators and distal ends for receiving the distal ends of the tubular applicators, thereby positioning the applicators at an oblique angle relative to a mounting surface on which the cooling device rests.

14. 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the casing (12) includes a first casing member (18) for housing the fluid movement device, a second casing member (22) to which the thermoelectric cooler (78) is mounted, and a third casing member (16) to which an applicator receiver (190) is coupled, the applicator receiver (192) being in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler (78).

15. The casing (12) includes a first casing member (18); a heat sink (68) in thermal contact with the hot side (132) of the thermoelectric cooler (78); 2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the casing includes an opening (114) for allowing a cooling fluid to pass between the ambient atmosphere and the interior of the casing (12) and the heat sink (68).

16. 16. The cooling system of claim 15, wherein the fluid movement device includes an air movement device for drawing ambient air into an interior of the first casing member, moving the ambient air into the interior of the first casing member through the openings, moving the air past the heat sink to absorb heat from the heat sink, and exhausting the heated air from the casing through the openings.

17. The cooling device of claim 16, further comprising a heat sink receiving chamber (66) for containing the heat sink (68).

18. a container (182) for containing a vial (172) containing radioactive material, said container (172) having a bottom (310), a sidewall (302) including an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper opening (315), a vial-receiving interior cavity (318) defined by said inner surface, and a radiation-attenuating material having a thickness defined by the distance between said inner surface and said outer surface; a cap member (352) positionable over the top opening (315), the cap member (352) having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a thickness defined by a distance between the top surface and the bottom surface; It consists of The thickness (358) of the cap member and the side wall (302) is great enough to absorb sufficient radiation emitted by radioactive medical material, so that the level of radioactivity outside the container (182) is at an acceptably safe level.

19. further comprising a locking mechanism (351) for maintaining a second container (303) within said container (182); 20. The vessel of claim 18, wherein the vessel (182) includes a metal bottom to facilitate cooling of the radioactive material contained within the vessel (182) and the second vessel (303).

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