Packaging system and method for shielding brachytherapy seeds and other radiation-emitting sources
OwnerRobert McKenzieinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shielded packaging system is formed by a top panel and a bottom panel that are connected to one another along a preselected extent of their respective peripheral edges. An opening is formed along the unconnected extent and provides access to the space between the panels that holds radioactive items. Each panel includes at least two layers of lead foil so that if a pinhole is formed in either layer, the probability of two pinholes lining up and enabling radiation to escape from the space is minimal. The layers of lead foil have at least one ridge formed in them at their respective peripheral edges so that radiation traveling in a straight path parallel to the top and bottom panels encounters the ridges and cannot escape through the edges of the package.
Claims20
A shielded packaging system formed by securing to one another a pair of abutting panels about their respective peripheries, wherein each panel comprises:
- a first layer of plastic;
- a first layer of lead foil;
- a first layer of adhesive disposed between said first layer of plastic and said first layer of lead foil;
- a second layer of lead foil;
- a second layer of adhesive disposed between said first layer of lead foil and said second layer of lead foil;
- a second layer of plastic;
- a third layer of adhesive disposed between said second layer of lead foil and said second layer of plastic;
- said layers collectively positioned in a common, substantially flat plane;
- and
- said panels being joined to one another about a predetermined extent of their respective peripheral edges;
- an opening defined where said respective peripheral edges are not joined to one another;
- each panel of said shielded packaging system including said first and second layers of lead foil so that if a pinhole is formed in said first layer of lead foil it will not be in alignment with a pinhole that is formed in said second layer of lead foil, other than by pure chance.
A method for sealing radioactive items in a container, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first layer of plastic;
- providing a first layer of lead foil;
- positioning a first layer of adhesive between said first layer of plastic and said first layer of lead foil;
- providing a second layer of lead foil;
- positioning a second layer of adhesive between said first layer of lead foil and said second layer of lead foil;
- providing a second layer of plastic;
- positioning a third layer of adhesive between said second layer of lead foil and said second layer of plastic;
- positioning said layers collectively in a common, substantially flat plane to form a first panel;
- performing the same steps to form a second panel;
- and
- joining said first and second panels to one another about a predetermined extent of their respective peripheral edges so that an opening is defined where said respective peripheral edges are not joined to one another and so that if a pinhole is formed in said first layer of lead foil it will not be in alignment with a pinhole that is formed in said second layer of lead foil, other than by pure chance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.