Radiopharmaceutical Delivery System Segmentation and Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiopharmaceutical delivery systems face challenges in efficiently managing radiopharmaceutical doses, leading to wastage and exposure risks due to the need for precise volume control and handling of varying container sizes, which complicates administration and disposal processes.
Innovation Solution
A radiopharmaceutical delivery system featuring an injector with a syringe actuation component, tubing management system, and syringe shield designed to minimize waste and exposure, including a motor-driven syringe actuation mechanism and shielding components to handle and manage radiopharmaceuticals safely and accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiopharmaceutical is aspirated from containers using a syringe pump, then injection can be performed, but radiopharmaceutical must be discarded to prevent infection
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the radiopharmaceutical delivery into separate functional modules: a reusable syringe pump unit and disposable syringe/connector assemblies. This allows the expensive radiopharmaceutical to remain in a sealed, sterile container while only the outer packaging is discarded, minimizing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile barrier or membrane is introduced between the syringe pump and the radiopharmaceutical container, allowing fluid transfer while maintaining sterility. This eliminates the need to discard the radiopharmaceutical itself, only the barrier component.
2Quantity of substance
If syringe is reloaded when more radiopharmaceutical is required, then adequate injection volume can be achieved, but time-consuming procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple syringes or containers are pre-prepared and staged before the procedure. When one syringe is depleted, a pre-prepared replacement is immediately available, eliminating reloading time and ensuring continuous delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe pump system is designed to accept multiple syringe sizes and configurations through a universal interface. This allows different volume requirements to be met by selecting from pre-prepared syringes of various capacities without requiring system reconfiguration.
3Ease of operation
If staff handle radiopharmaceutical procedures manually, then flexibility in administration is maintained, but staff are exposed to hazardous radiation
Solution Approach 1:
Manual handling operations are replaced with an automated syringe pump system that mechanically performs aspiration, delivery, and disposal functions. This reduces staff exposure to radiation while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-contained operations including automatic syringe advancement, fluid delivery control, and waste containment. The radiopharmaceutical delivery process is self-regulating, minimizing the need for staff to manually manipulate radioactive materials.
4Reliability
If containers are designed for single use, then infection risk is minimized, but expensive waste results when only portion is injected
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the radiopharmaceutical storage function from the injection function. The radiopharmaceutical remains in a sealed, single-use container that never leaves the sterile field, while a separate reusable syringe pump handles the injection process. This allows partial use of the radiopharmaceutical without compromising sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the outer container or protective barrier is discarded after single use, while the radiopharmaceutical itself can be partially utilized and the remaining portion preserved in its sealed container for future use or proper disposal, minimizing waste of the expensive active ingredient.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for delivery of a radiopharmaceutical and, in some embodiments, delivery of a pharmaceutical agent are described herein. Various other components for delivery systems including tubing management systems, primer caps, diffusion chambers, radiation shields and syringe shields, and other devices and methods are also described.