Embedded radiation emitter for the localization and dosimetry of brachytherapy seed implants
US6761679B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/1024
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device and method for improving the identification, localization, and dosimetry of brachytherapy seeds. The device is a brachytherapy seed comprising a therapeutic isotope and a marker isotope having an activity that is a fraction of the activity produced by the therapeutic isotope. The marker isotope emits positrons and/or photons capable of being imaged using radiation detection devices (e.g., positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), gamma camera, computed tomography (CT)). The radiation dose of the marker isotope delivered beyond the immediate vicinity of the brachytherapy seed is low because the marker isotope is adapted to have an activity of at least one to two orders of magnitude lower than the activity of the therapeutic isotope. Thus, the presence of the marker isotope will not alter the therapeutic characteristics of the brachytherapy seed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.