Transparent loading apparatus
US10888710B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/101
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A transparent loading apparatus (also referred to herein as a “loader”) may partially or entirely comprise transparent material that allows light to pass through the loader and provides the viewer (whether manual or automated) a view of a radioactive seed, a seed carrier, a loading needle, etc. within the loader. In some embodiments, carrier material (e.g., collagen and/or other biocompatible material) and radioactive seeds (e.g., including a metal shielding and radioactive isotope) may transmit light to different degrees. For example, certain carriers, such as collagen carriers, may be translucent, while seeds may be opaque (or mostly opaque) to light. The systems discussed herein allow a viewer to detect location of a seed within a loader, and even within a carrier, because of these different light transmissivity characteristics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.