Apparatus and methods for delivery of fluid injection boluses to patients and handling harmful fluids

A radioactive fluid delivery system, comprising:

• a portable housing enclosing an at least partially radiation shielded enclosure;
• a first fluid path element disposed in the shielded enclosure to conduct a radioactive fluid;
• a second fluid path element disposed in the portable housing and in fluid connection with the first fluid path element;
• a third fluid path element in fluid connection with the first fluid path element and the second fluid path element, the third fluid path element provided to conduct a flushing fluid;
• and
• a pump unit in controlled fluid connection with one or more of the first fluid path element and the third fluid path element, wherein the pump unit is configured to dispense fluid from one or more of the first fluid path element and the third fluid path element,
• wherein at least one of the first fluid path element, the second fluid path element, and the third fluid path element comprises coiled tubing paid outward from the portable housing and returned therein, and
• wherein the first fluid path element is filled with the radioactive fluid and the third fluid path element is filled with the flushing fluid, both filled via respective connectors for connecting to an outside radioactive fluid source and an outside flushing fluid source, respectively.

A method for priming a radiopharmaceutical delivery system and delivering a compact radiopharmaceutical drug bolus to a patient, the method comprising:

• delivering a first liquid to a fluid path element;
• delivering a fluid separator to the fluid path element;
• delivering a radiopharmaceutical drug to the fluid path element whereby the first liquid and the radiopharmaceutical drug are separated by the fluid separator flowing with the first liquid and the radiopharmaceutical drug to maintain separation between the first liquid and the radiopharmaceutical drug for bolus sharpness of the compact radiopharmaceutical drug bolus;
• and
• delivering the compact radiopharmaceutical drug bolus to the patient.

A radioactive fluid filling and transport system, comprising:

• a radioactive fluid transport container, comprising:
• a portable housing;
• a first fluid path element disposed in the portable housing to conduct a radioactive fluid;
• one or more shield elements forming an enclosure surrounding the first fluid path element, each of the one or more shield elements being disposed within the portable housing;
• a second fluid path element disposed in the portable housing and fluidly connected to the first fluid path element;
• and
• a third fluid path element in fluid connection with the first fluid path element and the second fluid path element, the third fluid path element provided to conduct a flushing fluid;
• and
• a filling system comprising at least a radioactive fluid source in reversible fluid connection with at least the first fluid path element;
• at least a flushing fluid source in reversible fluid connection with at least the third fluid path element;
• and at least one fluid pump associated with one or more of the at least a radioactive fluid source and the at least a flushing fluid source for dispensing fluid from the radioactive fluid source and the flushing fluid source into the first fluid path element and third fluid path element, respectively,
• wherein at least one of the first fluid path element, the second fluid path element, and the third fluid path element comprises coiled tubing be paid outward from the housing and returned therein, and
• wherein the first fluid path element is filled with the radioactive fluid and the third fluid path element is filled with the flushing fluid, both filled via respective connectors on the first fluid path element and the third fluid path element which are adapted to mate with mating connectors on the filling system.

A system for dispensing pharmaceuticals, comprising:

• a transport container comprising:
• a portable housing;
• a first fluid path element disposed in the portable housing to conduct a radioactive fluid;
• one or more shield elements forming an enclosure surrounding the first fluid path element, each of the one or more shield elements being disposed within the portable housing;
• a second fluid path element disposed in the portable housing, wherein the second fluid path element is in fluid connection with the first fluid path element;
• and
• a third fluid path element in fluid connection with the first fluid path element and the second fluid path element, the third fluid path element provided to conduct a flushing fluid,
• wherein at least one of the first fluid path element, the second fluid path element, and the third fluid path element comprises tubing accessed from outside the housing and paid outward from the housing and returned therein;
• and
• a filling station comprising:
• a radioactive fluid source in fluid connection with at least a first filling station fluid path element terminating in a first mating connector configured to reversibly connect to a first connector element on the first fluid path element;
• a flushing fluid source in fluid connection with at least a second filling station fluid path element terminating in a second mating connector configured to reversibly connect to a second connector element on the third fluid path element;
• one or more fluid pump units;
• and
• a control unit operably connected to the one or more fluid pump units and configured to control the one or more fluid pump units.