Importance

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Abstract

A radioactive aerosol inhalation apparatus includes a lead-shielded container, having a lid or cover, and a disposable aerosol inhalation device for use in producing properly sized radioactive tagged particles. The disposable device includes a mouthpiece or air passageway communicating means attached to a wye connector for inhalation of the radioactive aerosol and exhalation to an entrapping filter. First and second conduits are respectively provided by flexible tubing from a nebulizer and to the filter. The first and second conduits are interconnected by a third conduit. A one-way valve is provided in the second conduit to allow a subject to exhale therethrough, while preventing inhalation therethrough. A further one-way valve is provided in the third conduit to allow fluid communication from the second conduit to the first conduit, while preventing fluid communication from the first conduit and the nebulizer to the second conduit. The optimum range of particle sizes is generated by producing an aerosol in the nebulizer which has an internal baffle. For ease of handling and to minimize radiation exposures, an entry is provided to add radioactive solution directly into the baffled nebulizer. A method involves using the apparatus to suply an aerosol containing radioactive tagged particles to a subject or patient for treatment and/or diagnosis.

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First Claim