Patent ID: 7086133

Claim:
A method for safely handling a syringe having a hypodermic needle and containing radioactive material, the method utilizing a radiopharmaceutical pig having a lower portion and an upper portion, each portion being made from a radiation-resistant material, and a puncture resistant tubular housing having an inner cavity, which is defined by a bottom closed end and a top open end and sized to hold the syringe, the housing being generally transparent to radiation emitted by the radioactive material and configured to fit within a radiation-resistant chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig, the method comprising: disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing the upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig from the lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig; removing the syringe from the housing; discharging at least some of the radioactive material from the syringe resulting in a spent syringe; placing the spent syringe in the housing with the needle pointing toward the bottom closed end of the housing; and reassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing the upper portion to the lower portion so that the housing holding the spent syringe is contained within the radiation-resistant chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig for transporting to a disposal area.