Radiation Shielding Lid Alignment Wings for Radioisotope Elution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing radiation shielding systems for radioisotope elution systems often suffer from misalignment issues during fluid connections, leading to bent, crushed, or broken connectors, which can result in system failure, monetary loss, and delays in nuclear medicine procedures.

Innovation Solution

A radiation shielding lid with alignment wings and finger recesses that facilitate proper alignment and handling of vials, reducing the likelihood of connector damage and ensuring secure connections by guiding the vials into the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removable radiation shielding lid is used to allow generator insertion and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to misalignment of connectors with vials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces alignment wings as intermediary structures between the lid and the vial. These wings extend from the lid body and engage with corresponding features on the vial to mediate the alignment process, ensuring that connectors are properly positioned relative to vial openings before fluid connection is made.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment wings perform preliminary alignment action before the actual fluid connection occurs. By guiding the vial into proper alignment with the connectors in advance, the system prevents misalignment damage during the connection process, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If hollow needles are used as input and output connectors, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to bending, crushing, or breaking from misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment wings provide beforehand cushioning by creating a protective guiding structure. As the vial is inserted, the wings cushion and guide the connection process, preventing direct impact and misalignment forces from reaching the hollow needles, thereby preventing bending, crushing, or breaking while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If no alignment guidance structures are provided, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to misalignment damage to connectors and vials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment function is segmented into separate alignment wings that are distinct from the main lid body and connector components. This segmentation allows the alignment function to be added with minimal complexity increase, as the wings are separate elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled, while significantly improving reliability by preventing misalignment damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8421044B2Radiation shielding lid for an auxiliary shield assembly of a radioisoptope elution system

Publication Date: 2013.04.16 CURIUM US LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a radiation shielding lid of a radiation shielding container (e.g., auxiliary radiation shield) designed to house a radioisotope generator assembly.