CONTAINER FOR STORING AND SHIPPING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

摘要

A container (2) for storing and transporting devices (12) containing radioactive materials used for medical procedures is disclosed. Such devices (12) may include a radioactive shielding material which contains a portion of the radioactivity emitted by the radioactive material. The container of the present invention has an upper portion (6) and a lower portion (4), and at least one of the portions (4, 6) includes a radiation shielding material, such as lead, steel or other appropriate shielding materials. Devices (12) containing radioactive material are placed within the container (2) for storage and shipping. The container (2) may contain a holder (10) which secures the devices (12) against lateral movement within the container (2) to protect them from breakage or release of the radioactive materials contained in the devices (12). The radiation shielding material of the lower portion (4) of the container (2) may cooperate with the radiation shielding material of the device (12) to contain more of the emitted radiation that is contained by the device (12) alone. The container (2) and the holder (10) may be sterilizable to allow such devices to be transported in sterilized form for medical use.