Protective shroud for nuclear pharmacy generators
View Patent ↗A protective shroud is provided for covering a radiation shield that surrounds a nuclear pharmacy generator. The radiation shield includes components having seams therebetween. The protective shroud includes a tubular body configured to contain the radiation shield, a first opening adapted for receiving the radiation shield, and a second opening for allowing access into the radiation shield.
1. A protective shroud covering a radiation shield of a nuclear pharmacy generator, the radiation shield having seams between components of the radiation shield, the shroud comprising;
a first shroud end comprising a first opening that receives the radiation shield;
a second shroud end that is disposed oppositely of and spaced from the first shroud end, wherein the second shroud end comprises a second opening that provides access to a portion of the radiation shield when the shroud is installed on the radiation shield, wherein the first and second openings face in opposite directions, wherein the second shroud end further comprises at least one flange that extends inward from the tubular body and that defines the second opening for the second shroud end;
a tubular body that extends between the first and second shroud ends and that is positioned about the radiation shield;
a raised boss disposed on the flange, wherein the raised boss is configured to store at least one radiopharmacy tool;
at least one hoop, wherein a first part of the hoop is disposed on the flange, and wherein a second part of the hoop extends outwardly from the tubular body and accommodates storing at least one radiopharmacy tool.
2. The protective shroud according to claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the second opening is less than a diameter of the first opening and is less than a diameter of the radiation shield.
3. The protective shroud according to claim 1 , in combination with a nuclear pharmacy generator.
4. The protective shroud according to claim 1 , wherein the shroud covers substantially all of the seams of the radiation shield.
5. The protective shroud according to claim 1 , wherein the tubular body has a continuously smooth exterior surface.
6. The protective shroud according to claim 1 , wherein the shroud includes a material that prevents damage to the radiation shield.
7. The protective shroud according to claim 6 , wherein the material includes one or more of vulcanized rubber, neoprene, polyurethane, plastics and silicone.
8. A nuclear pharmacy generator assembly comprising:
a radiation shielding body comprising a first end, an oppositely disposed second end, and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends, wherein the sidewall of the radiation shielding body comprises a plurality of seams;
a nuclear pharmacy generator disposed within said radiation shielding body;
an elution tool that houses an elution container that is fluidly connected with the nuclear pharmacy generator; and
a shroud installed on the radiation shielding body and comprising:
a first shroud end comprising a first opening, wherein the radiation shielding body is received within the first opening of the shroud;
a second shroud end that is disposed oppositely of the first shroud end and that comprises a second opening, wherein an entirety of the shroud is located between the first opening on the first shroud end and the second opening on the second shroud end, wherein the first and second openings of the shroud face away from each other in opposite directions, wherein the second opening of the shroud is disposed beyond the second end of the radiation shielding body with the second end of the radiation shielding body being located between the first end of the radiation shielding body and the second shroud end, and wherein the elution tool is accessible through the second opening on the second shroud end from an exterior of the nuclear pharmacy generator assembly and through the second end of the radiation shielding body, all when the shroud is installed on the radiation shielding body; and
a tubular body that extends between the first and second shroud ends and that is positioned about the sidewall of the radiation shielding body.
9. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 8 , wherein the shroud partially enshrouds the radiation shielding body.
10. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 8 , wherein the radiation shielding body comprises a plurality of rings which in turn comprises a base ring at the first end of the radiation shielding body, wherein a seam of the plurality of said seams is located between each adjacent pair of rings of the plurality of rings, and wherein substantially all of the base ring is covered by the shroud.
11. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 8 , wherein the shroud substantially covers each seam of the plurality of seams.
12. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second end of the shroud further comprises a flange that extends inwardly from the tubular body and forms the second opening of the shroud.
13. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 12 , wherein the radiation shielding body does not extend through the second opening of the shroud.
14. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 8 , wherein the shroud further comprises a first hoop positioned alongside the tubular body, and wherein the nuclear pharmacy generator assembly further comprises one of a vial holder and a recovering tool positioned within the first hoop.
15. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 8 , wherein the shroud further comprises first and second hoops that are each positioned alongside the tubular body, wherein the nuclear pharmacy generator assembly further comprises a vial holder positioned within the first hoop and a recovering tool positioned within the second hoop.
16. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
an eluant container;
an input connector to the nuclear pharmacy generator, wherein the eluant container is fluidly connected with the input connector; and
an output connector from the nuclear pharmacy generator, wherein the elution container is fluidly connected with the output connector.
17. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 16 , wherein the input connector comprises an input needle, and wherein the output connector comprises an output needle.
18. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 17 , wherein the eluant container stores an eluant fluid, wherein the eluant fluid exits the eluant container and enters the nuclear pharmacy generator through the input needle, and wherein a radioisotope-containing fluid exists the nuclear pharmacy generator through the output needle and enters the elution container.
19. The nuclear pharmacy generator assembly of claim 16 , wherein the eluant container stores an eluant fluid, wherein the eluant fluid exits the eluant container and enters the nuclear pharmacy generator through the input connector, and wherein a radioisotope-containing fluid exists the nuclear pharmacy generator through the output connector and enters the elution container.