111 results about "Radioactive seed" patented technology

Radioactive sources, preferably radioactive seeds, for use in brachytherapy comprising a radioisotope within a sealed biocompatible container, wherein at least one part of the outer surface of the container is grooved, preferably with a curved groove. The grooved outer surface is preferably substantially free from angularities. Such grooves enhance the echogenicity of the source using medical ultrasound at a greater range of angles to the ultrasound probe, thus enhancing the ultrasound visibility of the source. Preferred radioisotopes are palladium-103 and iodine-125.

A method and system for monitoring loading of radiation into an insertion device for use in a radiation therapy treatment to determine whether the treatment will be in agreement with a radiation therapy plan. In a preferred embodiment, optical sensors and radiation sensors are used to monitor loading of radioactive seeds and spacers into a needle as part of a prostate brachytherapy treatment.

Methods and apparatus are provided for loading therapeutic materials into brachytherapy needles. The apparatus comprises an apparatus with chambers, and radioactive seed and spacer cartridges received therein. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a standard brachytherapy needle coupled to the distal end of the apparatus. The plunger dislodges seeds and spacers from the cartridge chambers to load the needle with a predetermined packing arrangement.

A method and apparatus for the in vivo location and tracking of a radioactive seed source during and after brachytherapy treatment. The method comprises obtaining multiple views of the seed source in a living organism using: 1) a single PSPMT detector that is exposed through a multiplicity of pinholes thereby obtaining a plurality of images from a single angle; 2) a single PSPMT detector that may obtain an image through a single pinhole or a plurality of pinholes from a plurality of angles through movement of the detector; or 3) a plurality of PSPMT detectors that obtain a plurality of views from different angles simultaneously or virtually simultaneously. The plurality of images obtained from these various techniques, through angular displacement of the various acquired images, provide the information required to generate the three dimensional images needed to define the location of the radioactive seed source within the body of the living organism.

An arranged row of radioactive seeds and non-radioactive spacers with a predetermined pitch can be provided with physical coherence by applying connectors between the separate seeds and spacers. In a first embodiment the connectors are elongated with introversions at both ends, in a second embodiment a connector also forms a spacer and is provided at one end with an introversion and at another end with a projection in the form of a seed.

The present invention relates to a loader device, for dispensing implantation seeds from a seed magazine and, optionally, a spacer magazine.

The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus that delivers a low dose, partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a cannula. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes a seed containment device configured to contain a plurality of low-dose radioactive seeds therein. The seed containment device may be one or more thin-walled tubes. The apparatus is further configured to expand so that at least a portion of the seed containment device is positioned against the remaining tissue and the plurality of radioactive seeds are disposed at the perimeter of the seed containment device. Also described are various clamps for the apparatus, and sleeves for adjusting the size of the device to fit a cavity when the apparatus is in use.

Brachytherapy is carried out with a needle to inject a radioactive seed into a patient's body. A space-fixed detector detects radiation from radiation emitters to determine the position of a deposited seed from the needle with reference to a space-fixed coordinate system. Markers may be affixed to the patient's body such that a body-fixed coordinate system can be determined in real time by an imaging device. Alternatively, earlier obtained patient's anatomical data may be referenced. After positions of earlier injected seeds are thus ascertained in real time in the body-fixed coordinate system, the stored anatomical data may be updated and a radiation dose distribution can be calculated from the determined seed positions. The calculated radiation dose distribution can be displayed and compared with a planned distribution.

A delivery system and method for interstitial radiation therapy uses a seed strand composed of a plurality of radioactive seeds or encapsulated seeds having ends with projections or indentations connected by a polymer. The seed strand is axially stiff and radially flexible and is bioabsorbable in living tissue.

An automatic stage allows rapid and more precise needle placement for radiation therapy using implantable radioactive seeds.

A normal system 100 for sterilizing, transporting and preparing radioactive seed strands for use in brachytherapy is provided. The system 100 is lightweight and can carry a plurality of seed strands and strand of spacer material, and can be sterilized by Ethylene Oxide Gas. Radioactive seed strands remain shielded from the user until the user is ready to retrieve each individual seed strand for measuring and cutting on an integrated cutting board.

The invention discloses an all-dimensional close-range seed implantation robot for the prostate and relates to the field of medical instruments. The robot is composed of a position adjustment mechanism, a cross joint gesture adjustment mechanism, an ultrasonic image navigation module, a seed implantation module and an operation table cart; by controlling a motor, the position and gesture of an ultrasonic probe can be adjusted, feeding and rotation motion around the axis of the ultrasonic probe are achieved, and a series of sequence ultrasonic images are obtained; under guide of the ultrasonicimages, by controlling the seed implantation module, the radioactive seed implantation treatment operation for the prostate cancer is completed. According to the robot, the defects can be overcome that in the traditional seed implantation operation process, due to the fatigued operation of doctors, the positioning precision and stability of manual operation are low, and the treatment process depends on the personal experience of the doctors. The operation efficiency and seed implantation precision are improved.

A selectively loadable/sealable bioresorbable carrier assembly for retaining and positioning elements used in brachytherapy procedures comprises a bioresorbable tube having a closed distal end and a proximal open end. The bioresorbable tube is loaded with a selectable arrangement of elements, including at least one radioactive seed, through the proximal open end. After the bioresorbable tube is selectably loaded, the bioresorbable tube is heat sealed at a sealing position adjacent a proximalmost element. Once sealed, the bioresorbable tube maintains the arrangement of elements throughout the treatment duration.

A method and device for applying a radioactive source to a tissue site is disclosed. The device facilitates the precise placement of, for example, ¹²⁵Iodine seeds relative to the surgical margin, assures the seeds remain fixed in their precise position for the duration of the treatment, overcomes the technical difficulties of manipulating the seeds through the narrow surgical incision, and reduces the radiation dose to the clinicians. The device incorporates the radioactive seeds into a fastening means, preferably surgical staples, used in the surgical procedure. In this way, the seeds are concurrently secured in position directly adjacent to the surgical resection and remain immobile.

The invention discloses automatic production equipment for medical radioactive seed source. In the automatic production equipment, a source shell is automatically clamped by a center-setting source shell clamping head mechanism mainly through automatic carry of a source shell container core; a radioactive source core is automatically sequenced and fed by one piece at a time, and is automatically jacked into the source shell by a thimble, and the center-setting source clamping head mechanism is automatically switched to a welding station to be automatically positioned, thereby completing automatic welding; and automatic discharge and collection is completed by a pneumatic source shell discharge and collection mechanism.

A radioactive seed implantation system particularly adapted for use in the treatment of prostate cancer, the system incorporating multiple individually longitudinally and infinitely adjustable needles carrying radioactive seeds which may be simultaneously and precisely implanted in a prostate gland with a minimum of surgical time and operating room expense while minimizing swelling of the gland and reducing patient trauma. An improved method of implanting radioactive seeds in a prostate gland is also disclosed.