Patent · US Expired

Radioactive therapeutic seeds

US6273851A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
15References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 14, 1999
Grant dateAug 14, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 14, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2005/1024
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Radioactive therapeutic seeds include a substantially radiotransparent cylindrical capsule containing a radioactive isotope and, in particular embodiments, a radiopaque or MRI-visible marker. Each of the embodiments is designed to provide a substantially isotropic distribution of radiation. In one embodiment, the isotope is deposited on the outer surface of a hollow radiolucent tube and a collar is provided about a central portion of the tube. The capsule comprises two tubular halves positioned over the tube with the open ends of the halves forming an interference fit with the collar and welded thereabout. In another embodiment, the isotope bearing structure is a plurality of radiolucent spheres provided with a thin coating of silver to facilitate the adhesion of the isotope thereto. The spheres are provided in two capsule halves which are welded closed about a plug have an axial radiopaque marker therein. In yet another embodiment, the isotope bearing structure is a pair of silver tubes having surfaces on which the isotope is provided. One tube is positioned in each half of the capsule, and the halves are then welded about a plug provided with a marker. In each embodiment, the clo…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.