Patent Grant
7812322
The present invention relates generally to radiation-shielding systems and, more particularly, to radiation-shielding systems used in the production of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine.
Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine that uses radioactive materials (e.g., radioisotopes) for various research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Radiopharmacies produce various radiopharmaceuticals (i.e., radioactive pharmaceuticals) by combining one or more radioactive materials with other materials to adapt the radioactive materials for use in a particular medical procedure.
For example, radioisotope generators may be used to obtain a solution comprising a daughter radioisotope (e.g., Technetium-99m) from a parent radioisotope (e.g., Molybdenum-99) which produces the daughter radioisotope by radioactive decay. A radioisotope generator may include a column containing the parent radioisotope adsorbed on a carrier medium. The carrier medium (e.g., alumina) has a relatively higher affinity for the parent radioisotope than the daughter radioisotope. As the parent radioisotope decays, a quantity of the desired daughter radioisotope is produced. To obtain the desired daughter radioisotope, a suitable eluant (e.g., a sterile saline solution) can be passed through the column to elute the daughter radioisotope from the carrier. The resulting eluate contains the daughter radioisotope (e.g., in the form of a dissolved salt), which makes the eluate a useful material for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals. For example, the eluate may be used as the source of a radioisotope in a solution adapted for intravenous administration to a patient for any of a variety of diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures.
In one method of obtaining a quantity of eluate from a generator, an evacuated container (e.g., an elution vial) may be connected to the generator at a tapping point. For example, a hollow needle on the generator can be used to pierce a septum of an evacuated container to establish fluid communication between the container and the generator column. The partial vacuum of the container can draw eluant from an eluant reservoir through the column and into the vial, thereby eluting the daughter radioisotope from the column. The container may be contained in an elution shield, which is a radiation-shielding device used to shield workers (e.g., radiopharmacists) from radiation emitted by the eluate after it is loaded in the container.
After the elution is complete, the eluate may be analyzed. For example, the activity of the eluate may be calibrated by transferring the container to a calibration system. Calibration may involve removing the container from the shielding assembly and placing it in the calibration system to measure the amount of radioactivity emitted by the eluate. A breakthrough test may be performed to confirm that the amount of the parent radioisotope in the eluate does not exceed acceptable tolerance levels. The breakthrough test may involve transfer of the container to a thin shielding cup (e.g., a cup that effectively shields radiation emitted by the daughter isotope but not higher-energy radiation emitted by the parent isotope) and measurement of the amount of radiation that penetrates the shielding of the cup.
After the calibration and breakthrough tests, the container may be transferred to a dispensing shield. The dispensing shield shields workers from radiation emitted by the eluate in the container while the eluate is transferred from the container into one or more other containers (e.g., syringes) that may be used to prepare, transport, and/or administer the radiopharmaceuticals. Typically, the dispensing process involves serial transfer of eluate to many different containers (e.g., off and on throughout the course of a day). The practice of using a different shielding device for dispensing than was used for elution stems from the fact that it is common industry practice to place the shielded container upside down on a work surface (e.g., tabletop surface) during the idle periods between dispensing of eluate to one container and the next. Prior art elution shields are generally not conducive for use as dispensing shields because, among other reasons, they may be unstable when inverted. For example, some elution shields have a heavy base that results in a relatively high center of gravity when the elution shield is upside down. Further, some elution shields have upper surfaces that are not adapted for resting on a flat work surface (e.g., upper surfaces with bumps that would make the elution shield unstable if it were placed upside down on a flat surface). Radiopharmacies have addressed this problem by maintaining a supply of elution shields and another supply of dispensing shields.
The same generator may be used to fill a number of elution containers before the radioisotopes in the column are spent. The volume of eluate needed at any time may vary depending on the number of prescriptions that need to be filled by the radiopharmacy and/or the remaining concentration of radioisotopes in the generator column. One way to vary the amount of eluate drawn from the column is to vary the volume of the evacuated container used to receive the eluate. For example, container volumes ranging from about 5 mL to about 30 mL are common and standard containers having volumes of 5 mL, 10 mL, or 20 mL are currently used in the industry. A container having a desired volume may be selected to facilitate dispensing of a corresponding amount of eluate from the generator column.
Unfortunately, the use of multiple different sizes of containers is associated with significant disadvantages. For example, a radiopharmacy may attempt to manipulate a conventional shielding device so that can be used with containers of various sizes. One solution that has been practiced is to keep a variety of different spacers on hand that may be inserted into shielding devices to temporarily occupy extra space in the radiation shielding devices when smaller containers are being used. Unfortunately, this adds complexity and increases the risk of confusion because the spacers can get mixed up, lost, broken, or used with the wrong container and may be considered inconvenient for use. For instance, some conventional spacers surround the sides of the containers in the shielding-devices, which is where labels may be attached to the containers. Accordingly, the spacers may mar the labels and/or contact adhesives used to attach the labels to the container resultantly causing the spacers to stick to the sides of the container or otherwise gum up the radiation-shielding device.
Another problem with conventional radiation-shielding systems is that dispensing shields may be somewhat inconvenient to handle. Whereas elution shields may be handled between one and ten times in a typical day, which limits the importance of the ergonomics of elution shields, a dispensing shield may be handled hundreds of times in a typical day. This makes the ergonomics of dispensing shields important. Prior art dispensing shields can be relatively heavy (e.g., 3-5 pounds) and have utilitarian designs focusing on radiation-shielding and function rather than ease of handling. For example, dispensing shields can be cylindrical, have sharp edges, and lack an obvious place for gripping them. Because of the repetitive handling of dispensing shields by workers, the aggregate toll of the foregoing inconveniences can add up to discomfort, injury, and other problems.
Further, each time a worker lifts a dispensing shield to transfer eluate from the container housed therein to other containers, the worker is exposed to radiation escaping the dispensing shield through the opening that is used to access the container. A worker can significantly reduce exposure to radiation in the dispensing process by gripping the dispensing shield at a place that is relatively farther from the opening rather than a place that is relatively closer to the opening. Unfortunately, prior art dispensing shields do little to discourage the practice of gripping the dispensing shield near the opening, putting the onus on the individual worker to be mindful of hand placement when handling a dispensing shield.
Thus, there is a need for improved radiation-shielding systems and methods of handling containers containing one or more radioisotopes that facilitate safer, more convenient, and/or more reliable handling of radioactive materials.
One aspect of the invention is directed to a radiation-shielding system that is designed to facilitate safe handling of radioactive materials by providing flexibility and convenience in the manner in which radioactive materials are enclosed in protective radiation shielding. The system includes a structure (broadly characterized as a body) having a cavity therein for receiving the radioactive material. Two openings to the cavity are provided in the body, the first of which is sized smaller than the second. The system also includes a pair of bases constructed for releasable attachment to the body generally at the second (larger) opening. One of the bases is shorter in length and/or lighter in weight than the other.
Another aspect of the invention is a method of handling a radioisotope in a cavity formed in a radiation-shielding body. There are two openings into the cavity, one of which is sized smaller than the other. The container is inserted into the cavity through the larger opening and a loading base is releasably attached to the body generally at the larger opening to at least partially enclose the container in the cavity. The loading base is constructed to limit escape of radiation from the cavity through the larger of the two openings. The radioisotope is loaded into the container in the cavity through the smaller of the two openings while the loading base is attached to the body. The loading base is detached from the body. A dispensing base is releasably attached to the body generally at the larger of the two openings to at least partially enclose the container in the cavity. The dispensing base is constructed to limit escape of radiation from the cavity through the larger opening. The dispensing base has at least one of a shorter length and a lighter weight than the loading base. At least some of the radioisotope from the container is removed through the first opening to the cavity without removing the container from the cavity and while the dispensing base is attached to the body.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a radiation-shielding assembly for convenient and safe dispensing of a radioactive material. The system includes a radiation-shielding body having a cavity therein for receiving the radioactive material. There is an opening into the cavity through the body. A hand grip is attached to the body and is constructed to facilitate grasping and holding of the body during movement thereof. The hand grip has a grip surface and a guard positioned between the grip surface and the opening into the cavity that may, in one regard, be said to discourage gripping of the assembly near the opening.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a radiation-shielding assembly that provides flexibility to adapt the assembly to enclose containers of different shapes and/or sizes. The assembly has a body at least partially defining a cavity for holding the radioactive material. There is an opening into the cavity through the body. The body is constructed to limit escape of radiation from the cavity through the body. The assembly also includes a base constructed for releasable attachment to the body generally at the opening. The base is constructed to limit escape of radiation from the cavity through the opening when the base is attached to the body in a first orientation relative to the body and when the base is attached to the body in a second different orientation relative to the body. The base is constructed to position a first container at a predetermined location in the cavity when the base is attached to the body in the first orientation and to position a second container at a predetermined location in the cavity when the base is attached to the body in the second orientation. The first and second containers differ from one another in height and/or diameter.
Still another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of handling radioactive materials. The method includes placing a first container in a cavity in a radiation-shielding body. There is an opening to the cavity in the body. The first container has a first size and a first shape. A base is releasably attached to the body generally at the opening while the base is in a first orientation relative to the body. The base is configured to position the first container at a predetermined location in the cavity when the base is attached to the body in the first orientation. The base is detached from the body and the first container is removed from the cavity. A second container that has a different size and/or a different shape than the first container is placed in the cavity. The base is releasably attached to the body generally at the opening while the base is in a second orientation relative to the body different than the first orientation. The base is configured to position the second container at a predetermined location in the cavity when the base is attached to the body in the second orientation.
Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of using a radiation-shielding assembly, such as one of the radiation-shielding assemblies described herein. With regard to this method, a first component of a radiation-shielding assembly is releasably attached to a second component of the radiation-shielding assembly while the first component is in a first orientation (relative to the second component) to define a cavity of a first size and first shape. Further, the first component can be releasably attached to the second component while the first component is in a second orientation different from the first orientation (relative to the second component) to define a cavity of at least one of a second size and a second shape different from the first size and the first shape, respectively.
Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into any of the aspects of the present invention.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the figures.
Referring now to the figures, and first to
The radiation-shielding system 101 includes a body 111 having a cavity 113 at least partially defined therein for receiving the radioactive material. The embodiment shown in the figures also includes a cap 115 and a pair of interchangeable bases 117, 119. The body 111, cap 115, and bases 117, 119 may be used to substantially enclose a container C1 (shown in phantom in
The body 111 may include a circumferential sidewall 121 that at least partially defines the cavity 113. The sidewall 121 of the body 111 shown in the figures is substantially tubular, but the sidewall can have other shapes (e.g., polygonal, tapered, etc.). The sidewall 121 may be adapted to limit escape of radiation from the cavity 113 through the sidewall. For example, in some embodiments, the sidewall 121 may include (e.g., be constructed of) one or more radiation-shielding materials (e.g., lead, tungsten, depleted uranium and/or another material). The radiation-shielding material can be in the form of one or more layers (not shown). Some or all of the radiation-shielding material can be in the form of a substrate impregnated with one or more radiation-shielding materials (e.g., a moldable tungsten-impregnated plastic). Those skilled in the art will know how to design the body 111 to include a sufficient amount of one or more selected radiation-shielding materials in view of the amount and kind of radiation expected to be emitted in the cavity 113 and the applicable tolerance for radiation exposure to limit the amount of radiation that escapes through the sidewall 121 to a desired level.
One end of the body 111 may have a first opening 127 to the cavity 113 and a second end of the body may have a second opening 129 to the cavity, as shown in
The first opening 127, which in the illustrated embodiment is a substantially circular opening, may be defined by an inner edge of the flange 131. The flange 131 may have a chamfer 133 at the opening 127 to facilitate guiding the tip of a needle toward a pierceable septum (not shown) of a container received in the cavity. The inner surface of the body 139 adjacent the flange 131 may be stepped, tapered, or a combination thereof to help align the top of a container with the first opening 127 as the container is loaded into the cavity 113. The flange 131 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 121 or manufactured separately and secured thereto. The flange 131 may include a radiation-shielding material, as described above, to limit escape of radiation from the cavity. However, the flange 131 can be substantially transparent to radiation without departing from the scope of the invention. The second opening 129 is sized to permit passage of one or more containers (e.g., C1 and C2) therethrough for loading and unloading of the containers into and out of the cavity 113. For example, the second opening 129 may have about the same size, shape, and cross sectional area as the inside of the circumferential sidewall 121.
The cap 115 may be constructed for releasable engagement with the body 111 over the first opening 127 thereof. For example, the cap 115 may be constructed for releasable attachment to the body 111 or it may be designed for placement in contact with the body without any connection thereto. The cap 115 may be constructed in many different ways. As one example of a suitable cap construction, the cap 115 shown in
The cap 115 may be constructed to limit escape of radiation emitted in the cavity 113 through the first opening 127 when the cap is placed on the body 111. For example, the cap 115 may comprise one or more radiation-absorbing materials, as described above, to achieve the desired level of protection against radiation. In order to reduce costs, radiation-absorbing materials may be positioned only at a center portion of the cap (e.g., in registration with the first opening when the cap is engaged with the body) while an annular outer portion surrounding the radiation-absorbing center portion may be made from less expensive and/or lighter-weight non-radiation-absorbing materials, but this is not required for practice of the invention.
Referring to
As seen in
The loading base 117 may be constructed for releasable attachment to the body 111 in a first orientation (
As shown in
When the loading base 117 of the embodiment shown in the figures is attached to the body 111 in the orientation shown in
Likewise, the loading base 117 may be configured such that in a first orientation of the base the cavity accommodates a first container having a first diameter and in a second orientation the cavity accommodates a second container having a second diameter different than the first diameter. For example, one of the radiation shields 155 of the embodiment shown in
In contrast, the closure surface 153a of the other radiation shield 153 may be configured as a substantially flat surface that is substantially coextensive with the cross sectional area of the cavity 113. As shown in
The loading base 117 may be adapted to limit escape of radiation from the cavity 113 through the second opening 129 when the loading base is attached to the body 111 in its first orientation, in its second orientation, and/or more suitably in both orientations. For example, the radiation shields 153, 155 may comprise one or more radiation-absorbing materials (as described above) so that the first radiation shield 153 limits escape of radiation through the second opening 129 when the loading base 117 is attached to the body 111 in the first orientation and so that the second radiation shield 155 limits escape of radiation through the second opening when the loading base is attached to the body in the second orientation. The radiation shields 153, 155 may be adapted to absorb and/or reflect radiation over an area that is substantially coextensive with the second opening 129. For example, the radiation shields 153, 155 may be configured to have substantially the same cross sectional shape and size as the second opening 129 and have the connectors 159 formed thereon so that the radiation shields can be releasably attached to the body 111 to plug the second opening with radiation-absorbing material. In other embodiments of the invention, however, the radiation shields may comprise radiation-shielding materials positioned to substantially cover the second opening 129 without being received therein. Those skilled in the art will know how to design the loading base 117 to include a sufficient amount of one or more radiation-absorbing materials in appropriate locations to limit escape of radiation through the second opening 129 to a desired level.
Referring to
Referring to
The dispensing base 119 shown in the figures, for example, comprises a single radiation shield 181 that acts as a closure for the second opening 129 of the body 111 when the dispensing base is attached to the body. The dispensing base 119 is constructed for selective releasable attachment to the body 111 in a first orientation in which the dispensing shield 105 accommodates a first container C1 (
Further, when the dispensing base 119 is attached to the body 111 in the first orientation, a first closure surface 185 may be positioned generally at the second opening 129 and face inward of the cavity 113. When the dispensing base is attached to the body in the second orientation, a second closure surface 187 may be positioned generally at the second opening and face inward of the cavity. The closure surfaces 185, 187 of the dispensing base 119 shown in the figures are structurally analogous to the corresponding closure surfaces 153a, 155a of the loading base 117 so that the dispensing base can be adapted to accommodate different containers in the same way as the loading base. Thus, the closure surfaces 185, 187 may be configured to extend different distances into the second opening 129, thereby allowing selective variation of the distance between the respective closure surface 185, 187 and the first opening 127 in the same manner described for the loading base 117.
A sidewall 189 extends above and around the circumference of one of the closure surfaces 187, thereby forming a cup-shaped structure 195 analogous to the cup-shaped structure 163 described for the loading base 117. The cup-shaped structure 195 may be used to position a container C2 at a predetermined location in the cavity 113 (e.g., so the bottom of the container is aligned with the first opening) in the same manner described for the loading base. Although the closure surfaces 153a, 155a, 185, 187 of the embodiment shown in the figures are similar in size and shape, it is also possible that the closure surfaces of the dispensing base may differ in size and/or shape from the corresponding closure surfaces of the loading base without departing from the scope of the invention.
The dispensing base 119 may be substantially shorter and lighter than the loading base 117. For instance, the dispensing base 119 may lack structure that is analogous to the extension element 151 of the loading base 117 because the need to satisfy the minimum length requirement of a radioisotope generator may only apply when the radioisotope generator is being used. Omission of an extension element makes the dispensing base 119 shorter and lighter. Likewise, the use of the single radiation shield 181 in the dispensing base 119 also reduces the length and weight of the dispensing base relative to the loading base 117, which has two radiation shields 153, 155. The combined center of gravity 191 of the dispensing shield 105 (
The radiation shielding system 101 may be used to provide radiation shielding for containers used to hold a radioisotope. For example, a container C1 (e.g., an evacuated elution vial) can be loaded into the cavity 113 through the second opening 129 in the body 111. After the container C1 is in the cavity 113, the loading base 117 may be attached to the body 111 as shown in
The container C1 may be transported in the cavity 113 to another location where the eluate is analyzed (e.g., where its activity is calibrated and a breakthrough test is performed). The loading base 117 may be detached from the body 111 to allow the container C1 to be removed from the cavity 113 through the second opening 129 for the analysis. After the eluate has been analyzed, the container C1 can be reloaded in the cavity 113 through the second opening 129. The dispensing base 119 may be attached to the body 111, as shown in
When a worker (e.g., a radiopharmacist) is ready to dispense some of the eluate from the container C1 to another container (e.g., syringe), he or she may lift the body 111 off the work surface 197, thereby exposing the first opening 127. The worker may dispense some or all of the eluate from the container C1 through the now exposed first opening 127. For example, the worker may pierce a septum (not shown) of the container C1 by inserting the tip of a needle attached to a syringe through the first opening 127 and drawing some or all of the eluate out of the container using the syringe. When a desired amount of the eluate has been dispensed from the container C1, the dispensing shield 105 may be replaced on the work surface 197 until more of the eluate is needed. When the container C1 is emptied of eluate or the eluate is no longer desired, the dispensing base 119 can be detached from the body 111 and the container C1 removed from the cavity 113 through the second opening 129.
The second smaller container C2 may then be loaded into the cavity 113 through the second opening 129. The loading base 117 may be attached to the body as shown in
Referring now to
The radiation-shielding system 201 has a body 211 having a cavity 213 at least partially defined therein for receiving the radioactive material. The radiation-shielding system shown in
The system 201 shown in the figures includes a loading base 217 constructed for releasable attachment to the body 211 generally at the second opening 229 to form an elution shield 203. The loading base 217 shown in the figures (e.g.,
The loading base 217 may be operable in combination with the body 211 to provide an elution shield 203 having enough length to satisfy a minimum length requirement for a particular radioisotope generator, in the same manner described above in connection with the loading base 117 of system 101. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the design of the loading base 217 can be varied substantially without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the system 201 shown in
Referring now to
The dispensing base 219 may be adapted to limit escape of radiation from the cavity 213 through the second opening 229 when it is attached to the body 211. For example, the dispensing base 219 may comprise one or more radiation-absorbing materials, as described above. Again, those skilled in the art will know how to provide a sufficient amount of radiation-absorbing materials in the dispensing base 219 to achieve a desired level of protection against radiation exposure. The dispensing base 219 may be designed with a concentration of radiation-absorbing materials positioned generally at the second opening 229 (not shown) when the dispensing base is attached to the body. In some embodiments, the entire dispensing base may be constructed of radiation-shielding materials (e.g., metal or tungsten-impregnated plastic).
The dispensing base 219 comprises a hand grip 275 that is adapted to fit comfortably in the palm of a person's hand. The hand grip 275 may comprise one or more types of grip enhancing features (e.g., grooves 275a (
The dispensing base 219 may comprise a finger guard 279 positioned between the hand grip 275 and the first opening 227 of the body 211 when the dispensing base is attached to the body to discourage workers from gripping the dispensing base too close to the first opening and thereby being exposed to unnecessarily high radiation. As best shown in
Although
The operation of the radiation-shielding system 201 is similar in many ways to the operation of the radiation system 101 described above. A container C1 (e.g., an evacuated elution vial) may be loaded into the cavity 213 through the second opening 229. Then the loading base 217 may be releasably attached to the body 211 to enclose the container C1 within the elution shield 203. If present at this time, the cap 215 may be removed from the body 211 to permit the container C1 to be connected to a radioisotope generator through the now exposed first opening 227, as described above. When a desired amount of radioactive eluate has been loaded into the container C1, the container may be disconnected from the radioisotope generator. The cap 215 may be replaced over the first opening 227 to limit escape of radiation through the first opening while the container C1 is carried to a location where the eluate can be analyzed.
The loading base 217 may be detached from the body 211 and the container C1 removed from the cavity 213 through the second opening 229 to analyze the eluate (e.g., in a calibration system). When the analysis of the eluate is complete, the container C1 may be replaced in the cavity 213 through the second opening 229. The dispensing base 219 may be releasably attached to the body 211 to enclose the container C1 in the dispensing shield 205. The cap 215 may be removed to permit initial access to the first opening 227 for the dispensing process. Thereafter, the body 211 may be placed upside down on a work surface (e.g., a radiation-shielding coaster 197 operable to limit escape of radiation through the first opening 227) until it is time to dispense some or all of the remaining eluate to another container (e.g., syringe).
A worker (e.g., a radiopharmacist) may grab the dispensing shield 205 by the hand grip 275 of the dispensing base 219 with one hand and lift the body 211 off the work surface 197 to access the container C1 through the first opening 227. For example, the tip of a needle attached to a syringe may be inserted into the cavity 213 through the first opening 227 to pierce the septum of the container C1 and draw eluate out of the container into the syringe. If the worker accidentally misses the first opening 227, the guard 279 may deflect the needle away from the hand that is holding the dispensing shield 205, thereby protecting the worker from injury. The ergonomic hand grip 275 makes it easy to hold the dispensing shield 205. Some people may prefer to grab the dispensing base 217 by palming the knob 277 in their hand. Others may prefer to wrap their fingers around the hand grip 275, in which case any grip enhancements 275a, 275b, 275c, 275d, 275e of the grip can make their grip more secure. The finger guard 279 discourages people from placing their hands too close to the first opening 227 when lifting the body 211 off the work surface 197, thereby preventing unnecessary exposure to radiation escaping through the first opening 227. Further, in embodiments of the system 201 in which the finger guard 279 comprises radiation-absorbing materials, the finger guard may shield the person's hand from a portion of the radiation escaping through the first opening 227, thereby further reducing exposure to radiation. When a desired amount of the eluate has been transferred from the container C1 in the dispensing shield 205 to another container, the person may replace the body 211 upside down on the work surface 197 until it is time to transfer eluate to another at which time the dispensing process may be repeated.
When the container C1 is empty or its contents are no longer desired, the dispensing base 219 may be detached from the body 211 and the container taken out of the cavity 213 through the second opening 229. Then the entire process may be repeated with another container.
Although various assembly components of the radiation-shielding system described above have generally cylindrical shapes, the geometric shapes of one or more of the various components may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, if desired, a loading base could be designed to provide more than two options for varying the amount of space in the cavity for greater flexibility in adapting the system for use with various different sized containers without departing from the scope of the invention.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
When introducing elements of the present invention or various embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, the use of “top” and “bottom” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.
As various changes could be made in the above systems and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying figures shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2006/029059 | 7/26/2006 | WO | 00 | 1/15/2008 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007/016174 | 2/8/2007 | WO | A |
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