Holder for radioactive material

[57] ABSTRACT

Holder for radioactive material fabricated of high density material to reduce transmission of energy, either by radiation or particle bombardment, either inwardly or outwardly thereof while yet enabling observation of material within an inner container or vial.

Claims, 6 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED JUM 2 7 1972

3.673,411

SHEET 1 OF 2

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ATTORXEYS

PATENTED JU’12 7 1272

3.673,411

SHEET 2 CF 2

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3,673,411

HOLDER FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

This application is a continuation-in-part of an application entitled SYRINGE, having Ser. No. 782,311 filed Dec. 9, 1968.

This invention relates, generally, to a holder and, more particularly, to a holder for radioactive materials.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a holder fabricated of high density material to reduce energy transfer through either radiation or particle bombardment outwardly thereof.

Another primary object of the present invention is the provision of a syringe holder therefor fabricated of high density material to reduce energy transfer through either radiation or particle bombardment outwardly thereof.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, is the provision of a vial and shielded holder which enables visual observation of the contents of a vial, syringe or the like held therein.

Still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, is the provision of such syringe and shielded holder which enables visual observation of the contents of the syringe.

Yet still further, another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such syringe holder therefor which may be readily assembled or disassembled for cleaning.

Another and yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such a syringe holder which may be readily assembled with a syringe and fixedly secured relative thereto.

Yet still further, it is another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to provide such holders which enable visual observation of graduations on the vial held therein.

Still further, it is another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to provide such holders which enable visual observation of graduations on the syringe cylinder and the position of the plunger relative thereto.

Another yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such a holder which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.

Another yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such syringe holder which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustration of a vial including a scale being inserted in the holder;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a syringe and holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational cross sectional view taken along line 5—5 ofFIG.4;and

FIG. 6 is a plan cross sectional view taken along line 6—6 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated therein a holder 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The shield or holder 100 may comprise a high density portion 102 fabricated of a high density material selected to provide maximum shielding with minimal thickness and may, for example, comprise a heavy metal such as lead. The holder includes a holder portion 104 with a threaded cover 106 therefor. The holder portion has a window 108 fabricated of a transparent material which may, to provide· maximum shielding, be of substantial thickness and may, for example, comprise a leaded glass. The window may be secured, as by means of adhesive, or the like, within a slot 109 provided in the front of holder portion 104.

The holder portion, preferably, is generally cylindrically shaped with a front protruding portion 110 in which slot 108 is disposed. The cylindrical shape and protruding portion provide a C- or U-shaped configuration with the protruding portion 110 being located within the legs thereof so as to define a bore 112 adapted to receive a vial or container holding a radioactive material. The top portion of the inner surface of holder portion 104 is provided with thread means.

The top or cover portion is disk shaped having a knurled outer edge 114 to facilitate its manipulation and a threaded stub portion to communicate with and connect to the holder portion 104 enclosing the shielded radioactive material. Cover portion 106 is provided with a concentrically located bore 116 adapted to receive a plug 118.

The holder, preferably, is adapted to contain a vial 119 holding radioactive material. The vial is provided with a longitudinally extending scale 120 which is visible through the leaded glass or window 108. The scale indicates the volume contained between individual markings, and may indicate volumetric measurement, as in cubic centimeters in accordance with conventional practice. When it is desired to extract the contents of the vial into a suitable syringe, the plug 118 is removed permitting a needle or the like to be inserted in the vial to draw the radioactive material into the syringe.

While the principles of the present invention may be advantageously utilized with a holder for a vial or the like, other embodiments thereof, and, in particular, a shielded syringe holder may be constructed.

With reference again to the drawing, and in particular FIGS. 4—6, there is shown and illustrated therein a syringe 10 disposed within a holder or shield constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 12.

The syringe 10 may be of substantially any desired construction and design and may, for example, comprise a cylinder portion 14 and a plunger portion 16 slidably disposed therewithin.

The syringe 10 may be of substantially any desired construction and design and may, for example, comprise telescopingly interengaged cylinder and plunger portions 14 and 16, respectively.

By way of example only, the cylinder portion 14, may, for example, comprise a generally tubular medial portion 18 of generally uniform diameter and wall thickness; a radially outwardly extending handle portion 20 disposed at one end portion thereof; and a generally conical generally closed end portion 22 at the other end portion thereof. The open end portion adjacent the handle portion 20 may be provided with a generally outwardly extending tapered mouth 24 to enable easy insertion therein of the plunger 16 and the generally closed end portion 22 may be provided with a generally axially forwardly extending boss 26 provided with a bore 28 extending therethrough from the apex of the conical portion 22, the outer surface of the boss 26 being generally cylindrical or of slightly tapered configuration so that a conduit-like member, such as a hypodermic needle, catheter, stylet, tubing, or the like, may be readily and easily structurally associated therewith. Yet further, as a further aid in providing secure structural association between the syringe 10 and a mating conduit member, the forward end portion of the syringe 10 may be further provided with a generally annular boss 30 extending generally co-axially and radially spaced outwardly of the boss 26 and provided with internal screw threads 32 for engaging such conduit members as may be provided with mating screw threads.

The handle portion 20 may extend substantially entirely radially outwardly of the medial portion 18 or may, as shown, be of generally elongated configuration comprising a pair of generally opposed ear or flange portions 34. The medial por3,673,411 window 62. Similar screw means 168 may be provided for clamping the vial 119, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The portion 60 may, for example, as shown, be of generally cylindrical configuration provided with a generally cylindrical 5 bore portion 70 extending longitudinally therethrough generally eccentrically to the axis thereof and a generally rectangular slot 72 extending through the thickest portion of the high density portion 60 and communicating with the cylindrical+ore 70 to define the bore 66 and with the window 62 IQ being disposed within the slot 72. The lower end portion of the density portion 60 may, as shown, be provided with a bevelled portion 74, as shown.

It is to be understood that terminology such as upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “forward and “rearward,” as 15 used in the preceding description and in the subjoined claims, along with other similar directional terminology, is to be construed and interpreted in its normal and accepted sense and with reference to the drawing herein. However, such terminology is not to be construed or interpreted in a limiting 20 sense either in the preceding description or the subjoined claims, since the same is used merely to facilitate an understanding of, and to clearly set forth and particularly define the present invention.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illus25 trated and shown in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be 30 suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of this patent application.