Patent ID: 9047996
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,G21F

Abstract:
1. A method of transferring a radioactive payload from a first shielding container to a second shielding container comprising: a) positioning a shield-gate apparatus atop the first shielding container, the shield-gate apparatus comprising a body, a passageway extending along an axis through the body from a first opening in a top surface of the body to a second opening in a bottom surface of the body, and one or more movable shielding gates; b) opening the one or more shielding gates of the shield-gate apparatus; c) lifting a removable shielding lid of the first shielding container through the passageway until the removable shielding lid is above the one or more shielding gates and closing the one or more shielding gates of the shield-gate apparatus; d) positioning a shielding block atop the shield-gate structure to enclose the first opening, the shielding block comprising a central axis and a first tool port offset from the central axis of the shielding block; e) removing a first shielding plug from the first tool port and opening the one or more shielding gates of the shield-gate apparatus; f) rotating the shielding block about the central axis of the shielding block to a first rotational position; g) inserting a first tool through the first tool port and removing one of a plurality of fasteners that secure a removable pressure vessel lid to a pressure vessel body using the first tool, the radioactive payload positioned within the pressure vessel; h) rotating the shielding block about the central axis from the first rotational position to a second rotational position; i) removing another one of the plurality of fasteners using the first tool; j) removing a second radiation shielding plug from a second tool port of the shielding block that is aligned with the central axis of the shielding block; k) inserting a second tool through the second tool port and lifting the pressure vessel lid through the passageway using the second tool until the pressure vessel lid contacts the shielding block; l) lifting both the shielding block and the removable pressure vessel lid using the second tool until the removable pressure vessel lid is above the one or more gates of the shield-gate apparatus and closing the one or more shielding gates of the shield-gate apparatus; m) positioning a second shielding container atop the shield-gate apparatus and opening the one or more shielding gates of the shield-gate apparatus; and n) lifting the radioactive payload through the passageway and into a second cavity of the second shielding container.