Radiant energy – Radiation controlling means – Shielded receptacles for radioactive sources
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-12
2001-11-27
Anderson, Bruce (Department: 2881)
Radiant energy
Radiation controlling means
Shielded receptacles for radioactive sources
C250S506100, C250S42300F
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323501
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to containers for the storage and transportation of devices which contain radioactive material, preferably for shipping of radioactive seeds used for medical treatments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Radioactive materials may be used for treating various illnesses including tumors and nodules. For example, radioactive materials, such as iodine
125
palladium
103
, or the like, may be implanted into a patient to provide localized radiation treatment of tumors.
It will be appreciated that such radioactive materials must be stored and transported in containers which protect patients, medical personnel and others that must handle the radioactive material from unnecessary exposure to radiation. Additionally, the radioactive materials must be packaged to allow safe transport from the manufacturer to an end user. Further, such radioactive materials must be safely packaged for storage at a facility, such as a warehouse or a hospital.
Conventional containers for transporting devices containing radioactive material are generally made of lead or steel or some other radiation shielding material. These containers, however, may be large, awkward, and heavy. Shipping such containers may be difficult, thereby increasing costs for the radioactive material, and discouraging return, cleaning and/or reuse of the containers.
One such existing container is made from a large block of steel having a handle formed integrally therewith. Within the steel block are formed a number of cylindrical cavities each for receiving a magazine containing radioactive seeds. Such steel containers are inordinately heavy and cumbersome and do not provide complete shielding of the radiation which escapes from the magazine.
Additionally, it is often necessary to sterilize medical equipment before use. The large size and weight of existing containers for magazines of radioactive seeds make them awkward to clean and/or sterilize. Also, these containers are unwieldy for handling the small quantities of radioactive material used in individual surgical procedures.
These and other drawbacks for presently available containers exist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to overcome these and other drawbacks in existing containers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient, relatively lightweight container for storage and transportation of radioactive materials.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for transporting and storing devices housing radioactive material, wherein the container and the device cooperate to provide radiation shielding.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for transporting and storing devices housing radioactive material, whereby the devices are secured within the container to resist movement during transport and use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for transporting and storing devices housing radioactive material, wherein the container includes a separate device holder which may be sterilized within or apart from the radiation shielding container, thereby easing the process of sterilizing the devices for use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for transporting and storing devices housing radioactive material, wherein the devices are sealed within the container of the invention in a sterilized condition, thereby enabling transportation of sterilized devices.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished according to various embodiments of the invention. One embodiment of the invention provides a container for storage and transportation of one or more devices each containing a plurality of individual dosage units of radioactive material. The container of the invention includes a radiation shielding material. The container also includes structure for retaining the devices within the container for transport. The container of the present invention is designed such that the container of the invention acts to contain at least some of the radiation emitted by the stored radioactive material.
Other objects and advantages exist for the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3256441 (1966-06-01), Grasty
patent: 3744661 (1973-07-01), Fischer, Jr.
patent: 3882315 (1975-05-01), Soldan
patent: 4151912 (1979-05-01), Harrold
patent: 4240547 (1980-12-01), Taylor
patent: 4501360 (1985-02-01), Levy et al.
patent: 4759345 (1988-07-01), Mistry
patent: 4783309 (1988-11-01), Popp et al.
patent: 4826003 (1989-05-01), Levy
patent: 4847505 (1989-07-01), Suthanthiran
patent: 4932533 (1990-06-01), Collier
patent: 4997090 (1991-03-01), Lenmark, Sr. et al.
patent: 5460592 (1995-10-01), Langton et al.
patent: 5829589 (1998-11-01), Nguyen et al.
patent: 5860909 (1999-01-01), Mick et al.
Dill Glenn A.
Jacobs Mary Christine
Rodgers Joseph J.
White Jack C.
Anderson Bruce
Knoble & Yoshida LLC
Theragenics Corporation
Wells Nikita
LandOfFree
Container for storing and shipping radioactive materials does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Container for storing and shipping radioactive materials, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Container for storing and shipping radioactive materials will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2615108