Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for transporting a syringe containing radioactive material that provides many advantages, including the safe enclosure of the syringe both before and after use, which reduces the possibility of contamination of the radiopharmaceutical pig. The present invention also provides a radiopharmaceutical pig that eliminates the need for a protective plastic outer shell and has a convenient grip. Finally, the present invention allows the user to readily determine if a syringe within a closed sharps container is full or spent without handling the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: An improved drawing station system for handling radioactive material for use in syringes in the health care industry. The system includes a drawing station, a syringe shield and two different radiopharmaceutical pigs. The drawing station has a base with a support and two arms mounted thereto to support a first radiopharmaceutical pig enclosing a container of radioactive material. The radiopharmaceutical pig is releasably mounted to the second arm so that the radiopharmaceutical pig is pivotable about two predetermined axes to position the container for penetration by the syringe needle to draw radioactive material from the container into the syringe.

Abstract: An improved radiation dense container for transporting radioactive iodine and the like, including a cup-shaped base having a cavity with an opening that is sized to receive radioactive iodine in the form of either one or more iodine capsules or a vial of iodine solution. The vial has a cap with a septum through which the radioactive iodine solution can be withdrawn from the vial in situ by an oral radioisotope administration set. A lid threadedly engages the base over the cavity opening to substantially seal it when threaded in place and to allow the insertion and removal of the radioactive iodine when removed. The base and the lid are both formed of tungsten. The container includes one or more activated charcoal filters to absorb any gases given off by the radioactive iodine when sealed in the cavity. An inner cup-shaped container and cap, made of plastic and sized and configured for a close fit within the base cavity, may be utilized to conveniently hold the capsules or, optionally, the vial.

Abstract: A method that provides a preferred generator profile that includes a set of generators, described in terms of their size, calibration and day of receipt, that will meet radioisotope requirement for a location for a preselected period of time. The method also selects generators for elution of radioisotope and determines an elution schedule which allocates elution of the generators throughout the preselected period of time so that the radioisotope requirement is met while avoiding undue wastage of radioactivity.