Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A radionuclide generator assembly comprising:a) a radionuclide generator having a distal end; an inlet port; an inlet connector assembly; an outlet port and an outlet connector assembly andb) a protective cover removably fixed at the distal end, wherein the protective cover covers the inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet connector assemblies and protects them from being crushed or kinked when the radionuclide generator is not in use. 2. The radionuclide generator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a radioactive resistant polypropylene. 3. A cover and radionuclide generator assembly comprising:a) a radionuclide generator comprising:1) a bucket; and2) a distal end having a generally flat top surface with an inlet port; an inlet connector assembly; and outlet port and an outlet connector assembly; andb) a protective cover removably fixed positioned over the generally flat top surface wherein the protective cover covers the inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet connector assemblies and protects them from being crushed or kinked when the radionuclide generator is not in use. 4. The cover and radionuclide generator assembly according to claim 3 wherein the cover comprises a radioactive resistant polypropylene. 5. A protective cover for a radionuclide generator comprising:a) a housing which covers the inlet and outlet ports as well as the inlet and outlet connector assemblies of the radionuclide generator;b) struts for releasably engaging the radionuclide generator, wherein the protective cover covers the inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet connector assemblies and protects them from being crushed or kinked. 6. The protective cover of claim 5, wherein:a) the housing has a distal end and comprises:1) a generally flat top surface;2) a first pair of side portions connected to the top surface;3) a second pair of side portions connected to the top surface;4) a semicircular notch disposed on each of the pair of first side portions; and5) a bottom surface connected to the first and second pairs of side portions; andb) at least two struts are connected to the bottom surface and projecting away from the generally flat top surface of the housing. 7. The cover according to claim 6 in combination with a radionuclide generator, the radionuclide generator comprising:a) an inlet port entering the radionuclide generator from a generally flat top surface;b) an outlet port exiting the radionuclide generator from a generally flat top surface;c) an inlet connector assembly entering the radionuclide generator through the inlet port;d) an outlet connector assembly exiting the radionuclide generator through the outlet port;e) a u-shaped handle connected to the bucket, the u-shaped handle having a bottom portion and a semicircular top portion designed to be contiguous with the semicircular notch disposed on each of the first pair of side portions of the protective cover. 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the at least two struts further comprise a ribbed portion. 9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the ribbed portion of the at least two struts engage the bottom portion of the handle of the bucket such that the engagement prevents the cover from being removed from the handle. 10. The protective cover according to claim 6 wherein the cover is made from a radioactive resistant polypropylene. 11. The protective cover according to claim 6 wherein the at least two struts further comprise four struts. 12. The protective cover according to claim 11 wherein each of the four struts further comprises a ribbed portion. 13. A combination protective cover and a radionuclide generator assembly comprising:a) a radionuclide generator having;1) a bucket;2) a distal end having two generally flat top surfaces, the two generally flat top surfaces having a first distance D1;3) an inlet port entering from the generally flat top surface;4) an outlet port exiting from the generally flat top surface; and5) an inlet connector assembly entering the radionuclide generator through the inlet port;6) an outlet connector assembly exiting the radionuclide generator through the outlet port; and7) a handle connected to the bucket, the handle having a bottom portion and a semicircular top portion, the semicircular top portion having a third distance D3;b) a protective cover positioned over the inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet connector assemblies, the semicircular top portion of the handle and the generally flat top surface of the distal end, the protective cover comprising:1) a generally rectangular housing comprising:a) a top portion;b) a first pair of side portions having corresponding inner surfaces, the first pair of side portions connected to the top portion and having a second distance D2 that lies between the inner surfaces;c) a second pair of side portions connected to the top portion;d) a semicircular notch on each of the first pair of side portions; ande) a bottom surface connected to the first and second pairs of side portions; and2) at least two struts connected to the bottom surface and projecting away from the top portion, the at least two struts having;a) an outer surface; andb) a fourth distance D4 that lies between the outer surfaces;wherein the first distance D1 is about equal to the second distance D2 and the third distance D3 is about equal to the fourth distance D4;wherein the about equal distances D1 and D2 provide an interference fit between the at least two struts and the generally rectangular top surface and the about equal distances D3 and D4 provide an interference fit between the outer surfaces of the struts and the semicircular top portion of the handle; and wherein the protective cover covers the inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet connector assemblies and protects them from being crushed or kinked. 14. A combination protective cover and a radionuclide generator assembly comprising:a) a radionuclide generator having;1) a bucket containing a lead liner and a column of radionuclide;2) a distal end having a generally flat top surface and generally rounded side surfaces, the generally flat top surface having a first distance D1;3) an inlet port entering from the generally flat top surface;4) an outlet port exiting from the generally flat top surface;5) an inlet connector assembly entering the radionuclide generator through the inlet port;6) an outlet connector assembly exiting the radionuclide generator through the outlet port; and7) a handle connected to the bucket, the handle having a bottom portion and a semicircular top portion having a third distance D3;b) a protective cover positioned over the inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet connector assemblies, the semicircular top portion of the handle and the generally flat top surface of the distal end, the protective cover comprising:1) a generally rectangular housing comprising:a) a top portion;b) a first pair of side portions having corresponding inner surfaces, the first pair of side portions connected to the top portion and having a second distance D2 that lies between the inner surfaces;c) a second pair of side portions connected to the top portion;d) a semicircular notch disposed on each of the first pair of side portions; ande) a bottom edge; and2) at least two struts connected to the bottom surface and projecting away from the top portion, each strut having;a) an outer surface;b) a rib disposed on the outer surface; andc) a fourth distance D4 lying between the outer surfaces; andwherein the first distance D1 is about equal to the second distance D2 and the third distance D3 is about equal to the fourth distance D4; andwherein the about equal distances D1 and D2 provide an interference fit between the at least two struts and the generally rectangular top surface and the about equal distances D3 and D4 provide an interference fit between the outer surfaces of the struts and the semicircular top portion of the handle; andwherein the ribbed portion of each strut latches and engages the bottom portion of the handle such that the engagement prevents removal of the cover from the radionuclide generator; andwherein the protective cover covers the inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet connector assemblies and protects them from being crushed or kinked. 15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the cover is made from a radioactive resistant polypropylene.