Radionuclide Source Clip Attachment for Sealed Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

The handling and shipping of radionuclide sources with short half-lives, such as lead 212, are challenging due to their rapid decay into undesirable progeny radionuclides during transport and storage, and existing systems struggle to maintain their position and seal them effectively during manipulation and transport.

Innovation Solution

A radionuclide source clip handling system with a housing and a movable interface that attaches and engages a radionuclide source clip to a holder, maintaining the source's position and forming a sealed volume to prevent contamination during transport and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a radionuclide source holder is used to contain and transport the source, then the source is protected and contained, but the source may move or shift position during handling and transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesource containmentVSAvoidsource position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The source holder is divided into separate functional components: a receptacle for containing the source, a clip for securing the source in position, and a handling system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively - the receptacle provides containment while the clip ensures positional stability during handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clip is pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage with the source when it is inserted into the receptacle. This preliminary positioning ensures that the source is immediately secured upon insertion, preventing any movement or shifting during subsequent handling and transport operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the source holder is designed to allow easy insertion and removal of the source, then handling is simplified, but sealing effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesource insertion and removalVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clip incorporates a spring mechanism that provides dynamic engagement and disengagement capability. The spring-loaded design allows the clip to automatically engage with the source during insertion and to be easily released during removal, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring secure containment and effective sealing during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clip acts as an intermediary element between the source and the receptacle walls. It provides the necessary sealing contact force against the source container while allowing simple insertion and removal operations, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of secure sealing and ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a secure clip mechanism is used to prevent source movement, then source position stability is improved, but the complexity of the handling system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesource position stabilityVSAvoidclip mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded clip is designed to be self-actuating and self-latching. It automatically engages with the source when inserted and maintains secure positioning without requiring additional control mechanisms. This self-service design provides reliable source position stability while minimizing the overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the handling system is designed for simple operations, then ease of use is improved, but the ability to maintain source position and prevent contamination is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handling system merges multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the receptacle provides containment, the spring-loaded clip ensures secure positioning and sealing, and the overall design enables simple insertion and removal operations. This merging of functions achieves both handling simplicity and contamination prevention through the coordinated action of its components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250303193A1Radionuclide source clip attachment system

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 ARTBIO INC

AI summary

Some aspects of the present disclosure are generally related to a radionuclide source clip handling system configured for use with a radionuclide source holder. In some embodiments, the radionuclide source clip handling system is configured to engage a radionuclide source clip with a radionuclide source holder to maintain a position of a radionuclide source disposed in a receptacle of the radionuclide source holder. Still other aspects are generally directed to related methods of use of the radionuclide source clip and radionuclide source clip handling system.