Plastic brachytherapy sources

Abstract

An implantable source (40) of therapeutic radiation for brachytherapy is provided as a sealed, biocompatible capsule (410) of plastic (e.g. polyethylene or PEEK) transparent to the radiation. The capsule contains a radiation source (400) comprising particles of a radioactive isotope (e.g. Pd<103>, I<125>, Cs<131>) in a fluid carrier that is resistant to radiation polymerization but solidifies at elevated temperature. It also has a marker (420), and desirably has a socket (430) which accommodates attaching spacers (660) and makes possible linear strands and planar arrays of the capsules. The spacers may be functional, e.g. heat-generating or medication-releasing.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to medical devices and their manufacture and use, in particular radiation sources for the treatment of tumors, ie brachytherapy sources. Background technique

[0002] Technological advances in plastic materials and fabrication methods have enabled advanced designs of brachytherapy sources, especially those that emit brachytherapy such as beta particles or low-energy x-rays. These types of sources can be used to treat various types of cancer, such as tumors of the prostate, head and neck, lung, liver, breast, and others. In particular, they can be implanted in tumors or tumor-invading volumes of tissues. There are two types of implants, permanent and temporary. As the category implies, temporary implants are associated with devices used to remove the source body hours or days after radiation therapy. Instead, permanent implants are placed in the body and stay with the patient for life. It may be because the permanently ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0048] The present invention relates to the manufacture and deployment of novel brachytherapy seeds. The seed consists of radioactive source for therapy A plastic capsule of the body and markers used to determine its location in the patient's body. Couplers are optionally incorporated at each end of the seed to allow connection to ancillary devices including spacers, holders, imaging intensifiers, and dispensers.

[0049] figure 1 and figure 2 Each is a cross-sectional view of a plastic seed in which the radioactive source material is thoroughly and uniformly mixed in a solid cylindrical core. exist figure 1 Here, the core 100 is covered by a thin protective layer 110 of non-radioactive plastic. exist figure 2 In the embodiment, the core 200 is contained in a sealed non-radioactive hollow plastic cylinder 210 .

[0050] image 3 and Figure 4 Plastic seeds 30 and 40 are shown, wherein radioactive source material 300 and 400 are located at the ends of cylindrical ca...

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to medical devices and their manufacture and use, in particular radiation sources for the treatment of tumors, ie brachytherapy sources. Background technique

[0002] Technological advances in plastic materials and fabrication methods have enabled advanced designs of brachytherapy sources, especially those that emit brachytherapy such as beta particles or low-energy x-rays. These types of sources can be used to treat various types of cancer, such as tumors of the prostate, head and neck, lung, liver, breast, and others. In particular, they can be implanted in tumors or tumor-invading volumes of tissues. There are two types of implants, permanent and temporary. As the category implies, temporary implants are associated with devices used to remove the source body hours or days after radiation therapy. Instead, permanent implants are placed in the body and stay with the patient for life. It may be because the permanently ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0048] The present invention relates to the manufacture and deployment of novel brachytherapy seeds. The seed consists of radioactive source for therapy A plastic capsule of the body and markers used to determine its location in the patient's body. Couplers are optionally incorporated at each end of the seed to allow connection to ancillary devices including spacers, holders, imaging intensifiers, and dispensers.

[0049] figure 1 and figure 2 Each is a cross-sectional view of a plastic seed in which the radioactive source material is thoroughly and uniformly mixed in a solid cylindrical core. exist figure 1 Here, the core 100 is covered by a thin protective layer 110 of non-radioactive plastic. exist figure 2 In the embodiment, the core 200 is contained in a sealed non-radioactive hollow plastic cylinder 210 .

[0050] image 3 and Figure 4 Plastic seeds 30 and 40 are shown, wherein radioactive source material 300 and 400 are located at the ends of cylindrical ca...

Images