Container and method for transporting a syringe containing radioactive material

A method of transporting a syringe containing a radioactive material to a location for use and, thereafter, confining the syringe within a disposal container having a cap and a housing for transport to a disposal area, the method comprising:

• inserting the housing of the disposal container into a lower portion of a radiopharmaceutical pig;
• inserting the syringe into the housing of the disposal container;
• assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing an upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig to the lower portion, thereby containing the syringe and the housing in a chamber within the radiopharmaceutical pig;
• transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location for use for disassembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig, removal and use of the syringe, resulting in a spent syringe requiring containment in the disposal container, replacement of the spent syringe into the housing of the disposal container, and reassembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig so that it contains the cap of the disposal container attached to the housing of the disposal container, thereby containing the spent syringe inside the disposal container for transport to a disposal area without exposing the spent syringe;
• transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig from the location of use to the disposal area;
• disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing the upper portion from the lower portion, thereby exposing the disposal container;
• removing the disposal container containing the spent syringe from the radiopharmaceutical pig;
• and
• disposing of the disposal container containing the spent syringe without exposing the spent syringe.

A method of delivering a syringe containing radioactive material to a location of use and, subsequently, confining the syringe within a sharps container having a cap and a housing for transport to a disposal area, the method comprising:

• placing the housing for the sharps container in a cavity in a lower portion of a radiopharmaceutical pig;
• placing the syringe containing the radioactive material in a cavity in the housing of the sharps container;
• securing a mating end of an upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig to a mating end of the lower portion, thereby enclosing the syringe and the housing of the sharps container within a chamber in the radiopharmaceutical pig;
• transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig to the location of use where the syringe is removed and used resulting in a spent syringe requiring containment in a sharps container, after which the cap for the sharps container is attached to the housing to contain the syringe within the sharps container, which is then placed within the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig for transport to a disposal area without exposing the spent syringe;
• transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig from the location to a disposal area;
• removing the upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig from the lower portion the radiopharmaceutical pig;
• removing the sharps container containing the spent syringe from the radiopharmaceutical pig;
• disposing of the sharps container containing the spent syringe without exposing the spent syringe.