Abstract:
A syringe shield for protecting a user from radiation emanating from a radioactive liquid disposed within an enclosed syringe. In a preferred embodiment the syringe shield includes a tungsten component housing or barrel fitted with a yieldable grip and a lead glass window for receiving the vial of a syringe containing the radioactive material. A barrel lock fits over the syringe vial and engages the syringe entry end of the barrel, such that resilient fingers provided on the barrel lock engage a barrel taper in the barrel and bend inwardly from an extended configuration to grip the syringe vial and maintain the syringe in position inside the barrel. The barrel lock can be friction-fitted or threaded in the receiving end of the barrel or it may be provided with a bayonet coupling pin which engages a companion bayonet slot in the barrel to close the barrel lock on the barrel such that the fingers tightly, yet removably, engage the syringe vial in a compression fit. Alternatively, the syringe can be secured inside the barrel using a lock nut which is tightened on a tapered, slotted barrel nipple extending from the entry end of the barrel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/850,303, Filed Oct. 10, 2006. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to devices for protecting users and handlers from radiation emitted by liquid radioactive materials in syringes, typically during medical procedures. More particularly, the invention relates to a syringe shield for protecting the users and handlers from radiation emanating from a liquid radioactive material disposed within an enclosed syringe vial. The syringe shield of this invention is characterized in a one embodiment by a cylindrical tungsten, tungsten-filled nylon and/or tungsten and barium-filled nylon barrel for receiving the syringe vial, and a barrel lock is designed to fit over the syringe vial and engage the entry end of the barrel to retain the syringe vial in the barrel. This action forces multiple, resilient fingers provided on one end of the barrel lock against the syringe vial in the barrel and secures the syringe inside the barrel in a compression fit. The syringe-receiving end of the barrel is typically fitted with one or more grooves or threads for receiving a corresponding thread or threads provided on the barrel lock and removably securing the barrel lock to the barrel. Alternatively, the syringe is secured inside the barrel by a lock nut that threads onto a tapered, slotted nipple extending from the syringe-entry end of the barrel. In still another embodiment a bayonet slot is provided at the receiving end of the barrel for receiving a bayonet pin provided on the barrel lock to removably secure the barrel lock on the barrel. In the barrel lock embodiment described above the housing barrel is provided with a tapered interior or throat at the syringe and barrel lock-receiving end, for receiving the correspondingly, shaped, spaced-apart barrel lock fingers as the fingers move into the barrel. There lock fingers engage the throat taper and bend inwardly against the syringe vial to secure the syringe vial inside the barrel. A leaded acrylic or glass window is typically provided in the barrel for viewing the syringe vial contents. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a barrel lock embodiment of the syringe shield of this invention with the syringe vial of a syringe mounted therein, which syringe is illustrated in phantom lines; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the syringe shield illustrated in  FIG. 1  and the syringe in phantom lines, more particularly illustrating a preferred threaded embodiment of the barrel lock element; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of the syringe shield illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of the syringe shield illustrated in  FIG. 3 , more particularly illustrating the threaded barrel lock illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  in functional position for threadably engaging the receiving end of the barrel; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a side view, partially in section, of the receiving end of the barrel, more particularly illustrating an embodiment of the barrel lock fitted with external threads for engaging internal threads provided in the receiving end of the barrel; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view of the barrel, illustrating another embodiment wherein the barrel lock is fitted with a single or monothread and the receiving end of the barrel provided with a single monogroove for receiving the monothread on the barrel lock; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of the barrel fitted with a bayonet slot for receiving a corresponding bayonet pin provided on the barrel lock element; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lock nut embodiment of the syringe shield with the syringe vial of a syringe mounted therein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the syringe shield barrel with the lock nut removed; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of the syringe shield and the enclosed syringe. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, in a first embodiment the syringe shield of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral  1 . The syringe shield  1  is characterized by a cylindrical barrel  2 , typically having a deformable, shaped barrel grip  3  of selected thickness and material, typically durometer  80 A rubber, on the outside thereof. The barrel  2  is typically further provided with a lead glass window  4  for viewing the contents of the syringe vial  24  of a syringe  23 , illustrated in phantom, which is inserted in the barrel  2 . The syringe vial  24  is positioned longitudinally inside the barrel  2  of the syringe shield  1  to shield the radiation emitted from a radioactive liquid (not illustrated) contained in the syringe vial  24 . The syringe  23  is typically conventional in design, wherein the syringe vial  24  is of conventional size and length, having a vial flange  25  and a plunger  28  extending through the vial flange  25  and into one end of the syringe vial  24 . The syringe vial  24  is further fitted with a needle mount  26  on the end opposite the vial flange  25 , for receiving a needle  27  in conventional fashion. A plunger flange  29  is typically provided on the extending end of the plunger  28  for accommodating the thumb, while two fingers of the hand are normally placed around the vial flange  25  to facilitate depression of the plunger  28  in the syringe vial  24  and distribution of the liquid contents of the syringe vial  24  through the hollow needle  27  into the body of a patient, in conventional fashion. One or more barrel threads  7  are typically provided internally in the receiving end of the barrel  2 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0015]    As further illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5  of the drawings, in a typical embodiment a barrel lock  15  is typically characterized by a cylindrical barrel lock sleeve  16 , typically fitted with external sleeve threads  17  and terminated at one end by multiple sleeve fingers  18 , which may be spaced-apart by finger slots  18   a . A central sleeve opening  19  is provided in the barrel lock sleeve  16  for accommodating the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23  and the opposite end of the barrel lock  15  from the sleeve fingers  18  typically defines a sleeve flange  20 , as further illustrated in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The barrel lock  15  is designed to fit on the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  such that the sleeve threads  17  of the barrel lock  15  engage the corresponding internal barrel threads  7  of the barrel  2  to removably retain the barrel lock  15  on the barrel  2  at the threaded end  8 . Alternatively, the barrel lock sleeve  16  can be designed sans threads, for a tight, removable friction-fit in the barrel  2  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0016]    Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 5  of the drawings, the typically threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  is also provided with an internal throat or barrel taper  5  that extends from a maximum diameter at the barrel threads  7  of the threaded end  8  into the barrel bore  6  and terminates in a minimum diameter at the inside barrel wall  9 . The barrel taper  5  is designed to receive and bend the spaced-apart, flexible, resilient and typically tapered sleeve fingers  18 , responsive to threadable engagement of the barrel lock  15  with the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2 . Accordingly, this engagement causes the sleeve fingers  18  to bend inwardly in concert inside the barrel bore  6  and seat against the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23 , in a compression action, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Consequently, when the barrel lock  15  is snugly friction-fitted or threaded on the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2 , the respective sleeve fingers  18  are caused to securely engage and grip the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23  and maintain the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23  inside the barrel  2  of the syringe shield  1 . 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  is fitted with a monogroove  13  and the barrel lock sleeve  16  of the barrel lock  15  is provided with a correspondingly shaped monothread  10 , for engaging the monogroove  13  and removably securing the barrel lock  15  on the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  with a twist of the barrel lock  15 . 
         [0018]    In yet another embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 7  of the drawings, at least one L-shaped bayonet slot  11  is provided in the unthreaded or threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  and is designed to accommodate a corresponding bayonet pin  12 , extending from the barrel lock sleeve  16  of the barrel lock  15 . Accordingly, when the barrel lock sleeve  16  and sleeve fingers  18  illustrated in  FIG. 7  are inserted in the unthreaded or threaded end  8  of the barrel  2 , the bayonet pin  12  is aligned with and seated in the corresponding bayonet slot  11  and the barrel lock  15  is then rotated to tightly engage the bayonet pin  12  in the bayonet slot  11  and removably secure the barrel lock sleeve  16  inside the unthreaded or threaded end  8  of the barrel  2 . This action also tightens the sleeve fingers  18  on the syringe vial  24  in a compression fit, as described above. 
         [0019]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-5  of the drawings, in use, the illustrated barrel lock embodiment of the syringe shield  1  is first deployed as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with the barrel lock  15  either disengaged from or loosened in the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2 , to facilitate insertion of the needle  27  and the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23  through the sleeve opening  19  of the barrel lock  15 , past the sleeve fingers  18  and into the aligned barrel bore  6  of the barrel  2 , to the position illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The barrel lock  15  is then tightened on the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  by engaging the sleeve threads  17  with the corresponding internal barrel threads  7 . Tightening of the barrel lock  15  on the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  causes the respective sleeve fingers  18  to engage the barrel taper  5  ( FIG. 5 ) and bend inwardly toward each other in concert against the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23 , to tightly, yet removably, secure the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23  inside the barrel  2  of the syringe shield  1 . 
         [0020]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , it will be appreciated that the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  need not be threaded but can be smooth, but still fitted with the barrel taper  5  to accommodate the respective sleeve fingers  18  in a compression action when the barrel lock  15  is tightly inserted in the barrel  2 . This action also serves to bend the sleeve fingers  18  inwardly against the barrel taper  5  and tightly engage the syringe valve  24  of the syringe  23 . 
         [0021]    Similarly, referring to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, under circumstances where the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2  is fitted with a single monogroove  13  and the barrel lock sleeve  16  of a barrel lock  15  is provided with a corresponding monothread  10 , insertion of the barrel lock  15  in the barrel  2  at the threaded end  8  and engagement of the monothread  10  with the monogroove  13  and twisting of the barrel lock  15  also causes inward bending of the respective sleeve fingers  18  against the syringe vial  24  to secure the syringe  23  inside the barrel  2  of the syringe shield  1 . 
         [0022]    A like connection is effected in the syringe shield  1  embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , wherein the threaded end  8  need not be threaded but may be provided with a bayonet slot  11  for engagement with a corresponding bayonet pin  12 , when the sleeve fingers  18  are inserted in the threaded end  8  and the bayonet pin  12  is aligned with the bayonet slot  11 . Twisting of the barrel lock  15  thus fully engages the bayonet pin  12  with the corresponding L-shaped bayonet slot  11  and secures the spaced-apart sleeve fingers  18  against the corresponding enclosed syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10  of the drawings, in still another embodiment of the invention a syringe shield  1   a  is illustrated and is characterized by a cylindrical barrel  2   a , fitted with a typically durometer  80  rubber barrel grip  3 , having a leaded acrylic or glass window  4   a  provided therein. In one embodiment multiple grip recesses  3   b  are provided in the ends of the barrel grip  3   a  to facilitate better gripping of the syringe shield  1   a  when the syringe vial  24  (illustrated in phantom) of a syringe  23  is inserted inside the longitudinal bore of the barrel  2   a  of the syringe shield  1   a  in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 10  and in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7  of the invention. In the  FIGS. 8-10  embodiment, a tapered barrel nipple  2   b  projects from the syringe-receiving end of the barrel  2   a  and is characterized by a nipple opening  2   d , that communicates with the bore extending through the barrel  2   a . The barrel nipple  2   b  tapers to a nipple rim  2   e  and includes spaced-apart barrel slots  2   f , extending through external nipple threads  2   c , as further illustrated in  FIG. 9  of the drawings. Like the barrel  2   a , the barrel nipple  2   b  is typically constructed of a resilient material such as plastic and tapers to a thin margin separated by the barrel slots  2   f  at the nipple rim  2   e , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0024]    A generally cylindrical lock nut  21  has a lock nut opening  21   a  that communicates with the nipple opening  2   d  of the barrel nipple  2   b  and is also fitted with tapered internal lock threads  22 , that terminate inwardly of a lock nut base  22   a . Accordingly, when it is desired to enclose the syringe vial  24  of a conventional syringe  23  inside the barrel  2   a  of the syringe shield  1   a , the lock nut  21  is removed from or loosened on the barrel nipple  2   b  as illustrated in  FIG. 9  and the syringe vial  24  is inserted in the lock nut opening  21   a , through the nipple opening  2   d  and extended through the bore of the barrel  2   a , to the enclosed position illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . The lock nut  21  is then threadably tightened on the barrel nipple  2   b  by engaging the internal lock nut threads  22  with the external nipple threads  2   c  to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . Tightening of the lock nut  21  on the barrel nipple  2   b  deforms the slotted nipple rim  2   e  inwardly sufficiently to contact the syringe vial  24  and securely, yet removably, enclose the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23  inside the barrel  2   a.    
         [0025]    Referring again to the drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the barrels  2  and  2   a  of the respective syringe shields  1  and  1   a  can be designed and sized to completely enclose a syringe vial  24  of any size in any syringe  23 , in order to shield the user from radiation emitted from the radioactive contents of the syringe vial  24 . Furthermore, the contents of the syringe vial  24  can be constantly visually monitored through the respective windows  4  and  4   a , which are typically constructed of leaded acrylic or glass, to further protect the user from the effects of the radiation therein. This visual monitoring can be important during dispensing of the liquid radioactive material from the syringe vial  24  through the hollow needle  27 , as the plunger  28  is depressed in conventional fashion. 
         [0026]    It will also be appreciated from a consideration of the drawings that the barrel lock  15  of the syringe shield  1  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and the barrel nipple  2   b  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) should be constructed of a material which is sufficiently resilient to allow one or more sleeve fingers  18  and the slotted nipple rim  2   e , respectfully, to depress inwardly as detailed above, and properly secure the syringe vial  24  of the syringe  23  inside the syringe shields  1  and  1   a . In the case of the syringe shield  1  this inward depression of the respective sleeve fingers  18  in concert is typically facilitated by the finger slots  18   a , which may be of a desired width and number and are located between the sleeve fingers  18 , to allow free depression of the sleeve fingers  18  against the syringe vial  24  as the barrel lock  15  tightly engages the barrel  2 . Furthermore, removal of the syringe vial  24  and the syringe  23  from the syringe shield  1  is easily accomplished under circumstances where the sleeve fingers  18  are resilient and therefore have a “memory” and are able to return to the original, extended and non-depressed configuration, upon loosening of the barrel lock  15  from the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2 . The syringe  23  is therefore quickly and easily removed from the barrel  2  of the syringe shield  1  by simply unthreading or uncoupling the barrel lock  15  from the threaded end  8  of the barrel  2 . In like manner, the slotted nipple rim  2   e  and barrel nipple  2   b  of the syringe shield are resilient and sized to facilitate inward flexure and tightening on the syringe vial  24  responsive to tightening of the lock nut  21  on the barrel nipple  2   b.    
         [0027]    While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.