Transport container for radioisotope elution system

Abstract

The invention is a transport container for a radioisotope elution system, said transport container comprising a hollow housing (20), which is disposed in a way to surround a radiation shield (2) that is made from radio-opaque material, especially from lead, and that encloses a radioactive isotope-carrying elution column (1); a seat (27), which is provided in an upper portion (22) of the housing (20) and which carries an elution slot (23) and a solution slot (25) that are adjacent to each other; and a protective upper lid (10), which covers the seat (27) in an entirely impermeable manner.

Description

[0001] TRANSPORT CONTAINER FOR RADIOISOTOPE ELUTION SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a transport container used as a secondary package in the radioisotope elution system.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] The radioactive elution system enables the radioactive substances and the radiopharmaceuticals to be eluted, stored, and transported in a safe manner. During the process of elution, the radioactive substances are extracted with a solvent via an adsorbent, and thus, a particular radioactive isotope is obtained. These isotopes are generally used in the practices of medical diagnosis and treatment. An outer container, which constitutes a secondary package of the elution system, is designed specially to enable the radioactive substance to be eluted in an effective and safe manner.

[0006] A variety of systems are available to prepare, preserve, transport, dispense, and use the radiopharmaceuticals. A radiopharmaceutical generator, which comprises an elution column, and an input connector (e.g., an injector needle) and an output connector (e.g., an output needle) in fluid communication with this column, may be mentioned as an example of these systems. In a standard procedure, a technician transfers a vial with eluent capacity (e.g., a vial containing saline) to the input connector, while adding an empty elution vial with partial vacuum to the output connector. The vacuum in the empty elution vial enables the eluent (e.g., saline) to pass through the elution column and fill into the elution vial. The saline, while flowing through the column, elutes the radioisotopes and is filled into the elution vial as radioisotope-enriched saline. The elution vial is usually preserved in a special radiation shielding box; these boxes are sometimes referred to as pharmacy shield or elution shield.

[0007] The patent document no. WO2013169314 discloses an elution tool for a radiopharmaceutical elution system. There is provided an elution tool. The tool has a vial chamber sized and shaped for receiving an elution vial. An access opening is aligned with a septum of the elution vial when the elution vial is received in the vial chamber. The elution tool lid is secured to the elution tool body by a hinged connection. There is a generator handle rotatably secured to the lid. The handle is rotatable between a storage position, at which said handle is located below the upper surface of the lid on a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the housing, and a transport position, at which said handle is located above the upper surface of the lid on a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the housing. The generator handle allows a technician to lift the generator in order to position said generator into an auxiliary shield apparatus and remove said generator from the auxiliary shield apparatus. The generator handle may be manufactured from plastic or another suitable material and may be rotatably connected to the generator housing via rotary connections or other suitable types of connection.

[0008] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a safe handle for the transport apparatus of a radioisotope elution system.

[0010] In order to achieve said object, the invention provides a transport container for a radioisotope elution system, said transport container comprising a hollow housing, which is disposed in a way to surround a radiation shield that is made from radio-opaque material, especially from lead, and that encloses a radioactive isotope-carrying elution column; a seat, which is provided in an upper portion of the housing and which carries an elution slot and a solution slot that are adjacent to each other; and a protective lid, which covers the seat in an entirely impermeable manner. The transport container comprises a hard handle, which has a bridge member extending in a distanced manner all along a cup-like top portion of the protective lid and which is fixed at the opposite connection ends of said bridge member to a skirt portion extending from the top portion to the housing. Here, the phrase hard means rigid, and the handle with a rigid structure constitutes a steering wheel-like form in the protective lid where the housing may be carried. In this structure, while a radiopharmaceutical technician is able to carry the housing with one hand or both hands, sufficient distance is also provided to enable the same to be carried with one hand each of two technicians positioned to face one another.

[0011] Preferably, the handle is arranged in a U-like angular form where the respective first and second free upper extensions of the bridge member diverge. The first and second upper extensions enable especially two different radiopharmaceutical technicians to carry with one hand of each the housing via the protective lid in a way providing a safe distance. When the radioisotope-containing elution column is placed into the housing, the handle enables the two technicians to grip the container via the protective lid with a safe distance and holding angle and carry the same between the process stations. Preferably, the bridge member comprises an upper extension, which extends in a straight manner, at the joining end of the free first upper extension and second upper extension. The upper extension, by extending in a straight manner, enables a technician to grip the handle in a manner parallel to the ground and to carry the container via the protective lid.

[0012] Preferably, the connection ends are in the form of extensions, which advance angularly in way to form an elbow towards the free ends of the respective first and second upper extensions while extending radially outwards from the skirt portion. In this case, an additional safety distance is provided from the section where the top portion and the bridge member are connected. In the case where the technician grips with his / her hand the handle by the first side extension or the second side extension, the contact distance with the housing, in which the radioactive isotope is to be carried, is increased radially outwards. This reduces the radioactivity to which the technician is to be exposed.

[0013] Preferably, the angle between the upper extension and the first and second extensions is set to be greater than 90 degrees and the two angles are equal. In this case, the upper extension, together with the adjacent first or second side extension, forms two adjacent extension structures that allow holding with two hands. Thus, in case where it is necessary to angularly position the housing during the lifting of the radioactive isotope, a technician is enabled to perform a safe gripping with two hands.

[0014] Preferably, the top portion and the upper extension are arranged to extend parallel to one another. This makes it possible to carry the housing in a manner parallel to the ground and allows an elution column to be safely carried by the technician without any shake.

[0015] Preferably, the handle and the protective lid are manufactured by plastic injection and have a monolithic form. The monolithic form provides a safe strength against the stresses transferred to the handle via the protective lid during the transport. This safety allows the protective lid to perform its function without breaking even in case of an impact causing a shock, for instance.

[0016] Preferably, the bridge member has a D-like sectional form where the portion facing inwards, i.e., facing the protective lid, is rounded and the opposite portion facing outwards is straightened. The D sectional form allows the handle to ergonomically fit, via the inner part thereof and without causing any cut, into the form of the hand when gripped with one hand, and enables an increase in the friction surface. Preferably, the connection end is connected to the skirt portion in a way to extend all along the width of the same. In this way, the stresses are reduced between the handle and the protective lid and the handle is prevented from being detached from the lid in any case of impact.

[0017] Preferably, the housing has a cylindrical form and the skirt portion comprises a mouth, which removably fits in an upper portion of the housing in a mounting position. In this way, owing to the container, a structure, which complies with the safety standards related to the transport of the radioisotope material, is formed, and at the same time, it is made possible to perform the elution in a practical manner via access from the top by lifting the protective lid.

[0018] A preferred embodiment comprises a pushbutton, which is provided on the cup-form top portion in a way to allow the pushing action and which, when the bridge member is held with one hand and said pushbutton is pushed by being aligned with the hand access distance, deactivates a lid lock separating the protective lid from the housing. The pushbutton makes it possible for the technician to grip the handle via the bridge member and at the same time open the protective lid with his / her one hand. In a possible embodiment, the pushbutton is provided in a quantity of more than one, as a safety measure. This makes it necessary to simultaneously push more than one button and prevents the protective lid from opening as a result of an involuntary pushing action on a single button.

[0019] Preferably, the pushbutton is arranged in the top portion in a manner extending radially outwards at an angle to the extension axis of the bridge member. The technician is able to grip the bridge member and at the same time push with his / her one hand the button that extends radially outwards.

[0020] Preferably, the top portion is arranged parallel to and distanced from the seat. In this case, it becomes possible for the top portion of the protective lid to protect the elution slot and the solution slot arranged on the seat and it becomes possible to obtain a compact structure.

[0021] Preferably, the elution slot and the solution slot are arranged such that their central axes on the seat are in the extension direction of the handle. In this case, the handle, with its rigid structure, counteracts the first shock imparted on the protective lid in any case of fall or impact on the seat and thus shields the impact. As a result, especially during the transport of an elution column with the container, an obstacle is formed, preventing the impact from directly reaching the seat in a way to cause damage to the elution slot and the solution slot, which are in fluid communication with the elution column. Preferably, the outer wall of the skirt portion is arranged to be aligned with the outer wall of the housing and is characterized by being arranged to be positioned on the upper side of the upper portion along its lower side. In this way, the sealing is achieved between the protective lid and the housing.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective assembly view of a representative embodiment of a three-piece container for the radioisotope elution system according to the invention, comprising a base, a housing, and a protective lid for the same.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1 where the protective lid and a handle for the same are shown in a zoomed-in state.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the protective lid of the housing in the disassembled state.

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the housing in a state without lid and suitable for elution, along with the slots thereof on a seat.

[0027] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the protective lid in a state mounted and locked to the housing.

[0028] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5, in the unlocked state.

[0029] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the base, which is locked to the lower portion of the housing, along with a key member.

[0030] Figure 8 is a view of the base locked to the housing in a state carrying thereon a radiation shield that surrounds an elution column.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In this detailed description, the structure according to the invention and the preferred embodiments of the same will be described only for the purpose of enabling a better understanding of the subject matter, in a way not leading to any limiting effect. Figure 1 presents a perspective view of a container manufactured from plastic material, which is prepared to transport a radioisotope in an elution system. The container has a cylindrical form and comprises, in the respective order from the bottom to the top, a base (30); a housing (20), which fits in a bottom recess (32) of the base (30) and is locked via a lower side (24) thereof to the base (30) in an upright manner; and a protective upper lid (10), which fits in an upper portion (22) of the housing (20) and is locked to the housing (20) in a manner releasable with the help of a pushbutton ( 52).

[0033] The protective upper lid (10) has a cup-like form. A top portion (12), with an inverted cup structure and a flat ceiling, of the protective upper lid (10) fits peripherally in an upper portion (22) of the housing (20) via a skirt portion (1 1 ), which is a cylindrical extension arranged with a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the housing (20). A handle (40) has a bridge member (41 ) with a U-like form, the sides of which are arranged angularly outwards, and it is fixed to the skirt portion (1 1 ) via the opposite free connection ends (48) by extending in a way to pass through the center of the top portion (12). The bridge member (41 ) comprises a straight upper extension (42), arranged parallel to and distanced from the ceiling of the top portion (12), and a first side extension (44) and an opposite second side extension (46) with mirror symmetry with said first side extension (44), which extend from the opposite ends of said straight upper extension (42). The first and second extensions (44, 46) bend inwards from their lower ends to thus form an elbow and the elbow provides the connection end (48) and joins the skirt portion (11 ) along its width. The handle (40) and the protective upper lid (10) are manufactured together as a monolithic structure, by means of plastic injection. The handle (40) is manufactured with a D-like sectional form wherein it has a short depth at the first and second side extensions (44, 46) and a long depth at the upper extension (42). The angle of the first and second side extensions (44, 46) with the upper extension (42) is 120 degrees. The elbow portion also joins the skirt portion (1 1 ) as a result of the connection end (48) making an angle of 120 degrees in the opposite direction with the corresponding first and second side extensions (44, 46). In this way, the handle (40) forms on the protective upper lid (10) a monolithic structure, which has a hollow central portion and which follows a diamond-like line so that the short side will be the upper extension (42) and the long side will be the skirt portion

[0034] (11 ).

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, two opposite pushbuttons extend outward and perpendicular to the extension axis of the bridge member (41 ) on the peripheral edge of the cup-form top portion

[0036] (12) that faces radially outwards. For this purpose, a cup-form cut is formed and the respective pushbutton (52) is positioned in the top portion (12). The cut structure is arranged in a way to penetrate the ceiling of the top portion (12). Thus, the pushbutton (52) is accessible from the top along the entire length. The pushbutton (52) has a rectangular form and is positioned in the top portion (12) in such a way that its short side extends to the ceiling and its long side extends to the peripheral edge of the cup form.

[0037] Figures 3 and 4 show the upper portion (22) of the housing (20), where the protective upper lid (10) is removed to mount a radioisotope elution system to the container. For this operation, the protective upper lid (10) is pulled and removed from the upper portion (22) of the housing (20) by pushing the pushbutton (52). In order to achieve the pulling action, the technician is required to mutually push the pushbutton (52) while at the same time gripping the handle (40) via the upper extension (42) and pulling the same in the direction of separation. The cylindrical seat (27) located on the upper portion (22) of the housing (20) fits into the skirt portion (11 ). The upper surface of the seat (27) is planar and a cylindrical elution slot (23) and a solution slot (25), which is distanced from the elution slot (23) and is provided with a narrow diameter, extend inwards. The vacuum vial and the saline vial (not shown) of an elution system are fitted respectively into the elution slot (23) and the solution slot (25) and the transfer of the fluid into the housing (20) is enabled by means of the needles shown at the bottom. The elution system is a system known in the art and an elution system of the mentioned type is disclosed in the description of the document no. WO2013169314 incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] The opposite inward upper recesses (21 ) are formed at each of the sections of the seat (27) corresponding to the pushbutton (52) on the protective upper lid (10). The upper recess (21 ) has a triangle-like form that narrows down radially inwards and a lock tab (26) is present at the inner corner of the same.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the lid lock (50) in detail, by taking a cross-section of the protective upper lid (10) and the upper portion (22) of the housing (20) in a direction perpendicular to the extension axis of the handle (40). The planar ceiling of the top portion (12) of the protective upper lid (10) extends inwards from the section where the pushbutton (52) fits, thereby forming a support pin (122). The support pin (122) extends radially outwards and a compression spring (54) is mounted between said support pin (122) and a corresponding pusher pin (53) behind the pushbutton (52). The two opposite pushbuttons (52) of the lid lock (50) have equivalent geometrical forms and both have the structure of a plastic trigger. In the section where the trigger portion extends radially outwards, a trigger seat ( 16) is formed in the top portion (12). The trigger portion of the pushbutton (52) extends radially outwards from the trigger seat ( 16). A lever portion (55) is disposed at the lower end of the trigger portion of the pushbutton (52). The lever portion (55) is formed below the top portion (12) by being bent towards a corresponding abutment surface of a central hub (14) that extends partially to the skirt portion (11 ). A trigger seat (16) is formed inside the skirt portion (1 1 ) and a latch (56) in the form of a flat arm extends to the trigger seat (16) in the continuation of the lever portion (55) of the lid lock (50). The free end of the latch (56) bends radially inwards in an angled manner to thereby form a hook (58). Upon the compression spring (54) pushing the pushbutton (52) outwards, the latch (56), by using the support of the lever portion (55), pushes the hook (58) to the lock tab (26) and the hook (58) engages the lock tab (26) in a way to switch into a locking mode. In this way, the lid lock (50) inside the trigger seat (16) blocks the respective movement due to the engagement, when it is attempted to pull up the protective upper lid (10) via the handle (40). In the locking mode, the skirt portion (1 1 ) fits on the upper side of the upper portion (22) in a sealing manner. A gasket form, which extends, in a way to provide the sealing, radially inwards from the inner wall of the skirt portion (11 ) to a cylindrical hub (14) mounted in a coaxial manner inside the protective upper lid (10), fits in the radial outer portion of an inner lid (17) with a cup form. The inner lid (17) fits via its inner side on the outer side of the seat (27) in the upper portion of the lock tab (26). Moreover, an inner gasket (28) is provided, which peripherally fits in a corresponding inner cavity of the hub (14) along the peripheral edge of a raised portion of the seat (27) that carries the elution slot (23) and the solution slot (25). In order to enable the hub (14) to fit in the top portion (12), a cylindrical upper wall (19) engages, in the manner of a close-fit, the inner wall of the inner extension where the support pin (122) is also disposed.

[0040] Figure 6 provides the cross-sectional view of Figure 5 in the unlocked state. Here, the pushbuttons (52) are, via two opposite trigger portions, pushed radially inwards with respect to the protective upper lid (10). During the pushing action, the pushbutton (52), via the pusher pin (53) behind it, compresses the compression spring (54) in a way that a force is applied on the support pin (122). As the trigger portion advances radially inwards, the lever portion (55) abuts the corresponding abutment portion (18) on the outer wall of the hub (14) and enables the hook (58) at the end of the latch (56) to move radially outwards. In this case, the locking is terminated upon the hook (58) being separated from the corresponding lock tab (26). When the protective upper lid (10) is pulled up while the application of the compressive force continues, the skirt portion (11 ) separates from the upper portion (22) where it fits and the lid becomes entirely detached from the housing (20).

[0041] Figure 7 provides a perspective view of the lower portion of the housing (20). A lock tab (26), which enables the snap-fit, is located on the circular lower side (24) of the hollow cylindrical lower portion of the housing (20). The base (30) is in the form of a cup with opening facing upwards. The outer diameter of the upper opening portion of the base (30) and the outer diameter of the housing (20) are arranged to be the same. Thus, the housing (20) with tubular form may be fitted on the base (30) by way of being pushed down. Meanwhile, the lock tab (26) is enabled to engage a upper recess 21 , which is located in the angular transition area provided at the corner between the bottom and the lateral wall in the peripheral lower side of the base (30). The lock tab (26) extends downwards in an inverted manner and catches on the upper side of the upper recess (21 ). As a result, an annular key member (60), via the pusher extensions (62) thereon corresponding to each of the bottom recesses (32), fully fits in the bottom recess (32) and thus, by pushing the fixing tab (29) radially inwards, enables the housing (20) to be detached from the base (30) when desired. The snap-fit connection is shown in more detail in Figure 8 illustrating the lower portion of the container via a cross-section. The lead radiation shield (2) is fitted on the circular bottom (36) of the base (30). In order to ensure that the radiation shield (2) is not dislodged, a mounting surface with coaxial steps engaging each other from the narrow towards the wide is disposed on the bottom (36) and on the bottom of the radiation shield (2). At the center of the radiation shield (2), an elution column (1 ) containing the radioisotope is fitted by means of a slot-like structure in a way constituting a shape connection. The peripheral edge of the bottom (36) of the base (30) is bent inwards and the transverse tabs are formed at the free end thereof. In this way, the peripheral edge of the bottom (36) enters the housing (20) from the lower side (24) thereof via the inner radial portion. Meanwhile, the flexible tab engages the holder extension (34) on the bottom recess (32) in a way to contact the same via its inner wall and thus fits in the opening of the holder extension (34) by way of snap-fit. As a result, the base (30) is mounted on the lower side (24) of the housing (20).

[0042] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0043] 1 Elution column 30 Base

[0044] 2 Radiation shield 32 Bottom recess

[0045] 10 Protective upper lid 34 Holder extension

[0046] 11 Skirt portion 36 Bottom

[0047] 12 Top portion 40 Handle

[0048] 122 Support pin 41 Bridge member

[0049] 13 Slot 42 Upper extension

[0050] 14 Hub 44 First side extension

[0051] 15 Outer gasket 46 Second side extension

[0052] 16 Trigger seat 48 Connection end

[0053] 17 Inner lid 50 Lid lock Abutment portion 52 Pushbutton Upper wall 53 Pusher pin Housing 54 Compression spring Upper recess 55 Lever portion Upper portion 56 Latch Elution slot 58 Hook Lower side 60 Key member Solution slot 61 Crown portion Lock tab 62 Pusher extension Seat Inner gasket Fixing tab

Claims

CLAIMS1. A transport container for a radioisotope elution system, said transport container comprising a hollow housing (20), which is disposed in a way to surround a radiation shield (2) that is made from radio-opaque material, especially from lead, and that encloses a radioactive isotope-carrying elution column (1 ); a seat (27), which is provided in an upper portion (22) of the housing (20) and which carries an elution slot (23) and a solution slot (25) that are adjacent to each other; and a protective upper lid (10), which covers the seat (27) in an entirely impermeable manner, characterized in that the transport container comprises a hard handle (40), which has a bridge member (41 ) extending in a distanced manner all along a cup-like top portion (12) of the protective upper lid (10) and which is fixed at the opposite connection ends (48) of said bridge member (41 ) to a skirt portion (1 1 ) extending from the top portion (12) to the housing (20).

2. A transport container according to Claim 1 characterized in that the handle (40) is arranged in a U-like angular form where the respective first and second side extensions (44, 46) of the bridge member (41 ) diverge.

3. A transport container according to Claim 2 characterized in that the bridge member (41 ) comprises an upper extension (42), which extends in a straight manner, at the joining end of the free first side extension (44) and second side extension (46).

4. A transport container according to Claims 2-3 characterized in that the connection ends (48) are in the form of extensions, which advance angularly in way to form an elbow towards the free ends of the respective first and second side extensions (44, 46) while extending radially outwards from the skirt portion (1 1 ).

5. A transport container according to Claims 3-4 characterized in that the angle between the upper extension (42) and the first and second side extensions (44, 46) is set to be greater than 90 degrees and the two angles are equal.

6. A transport container according to Claims 3-5 characterized in that the top portion (12) and the upper extension (42) are arranged to extend parallel to one another.

7. A transport container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the handle (40) and the protective upper lid (10) are manufactured by plastic injection and have a monolithic form.

8. A transport container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the bridge member (41 ) has a D-like sectional form where the portion facing inwards, i.e., facing the protective upper lid (10), is rounded and the opposite portion facing outwards is straightened.

9. A transport container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the connection end (48) is connected to the skirt portion (1 1 ) in a way to extend all along the width of the same.

10. A transport container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the housing (20) has a cylindrical form and the skirt portion (1 1 ) comprises a mouth, which removably fits in an upper portion (22) of the housing (20) in a mounting position.1 1 . A transport container according to Claim 7 characterized in that the transport container comprises a pushbutton (52), which is provided on the cup-form top portion (12) in a way to allow the pushing action and which, when the bridge member (41 ) is held with one hand and said pushbutton is pushed by being aligned with the hand access distance, deactivates a lid lock (50) separating the protective upper lid (10) from the housing (20).

12. A transport container according to Claim 8 characterized in that the pushbutton (52) is arranged in the top portion (12) in a manner extending radially outwards at an angle to the extension axis of the bridge member (41 ).

13. A transport container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the top portion (12) is arranged parallel to and distanced from the seat (27).

14. A transport container according to Claim 10 characterized in that the elution slot (23) and the solution slot (25) are arranged such that their central axes on the seat (27) are in the extension direction of the handle (40).

15. A transport container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the outer wall of the skirt portion (1 1 ) is arranged to be aligned with the outer wall of the housing (20) and is arranged to be positioned on the upper side of the upper portion (22) along its lower side.

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