For implanting therapeutic elements, a needle assembly comprising a cannula having a wall and a sharpened distal end, a line of elements in the cannula extending rearward from the distal end, yieldable means, including a plug, for positioning an element more proximate the distal end a predetermined distance from the distal end, and a stylet reciprocable in the cannula and having a distal end engaging an end of the line of elements more remote from the distal end of the cannula. view more

A needle assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for positioning includes an absorbable plug.

An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the line of elements is encapsulated in a biodegradable material, the seeds being held in spaced relation by the biodegradable material.

For implanting a therapeutic element, a needle assembly comprising a cannula having a wall and having a sharpened distal end, a generally cylindrical end plug frictionally held in the distal end having a rearward end extending from the distal end a pre-determined distance, a line of elements in the cannula contacting the plug and extending rearward thereform, and a stylet reciprocable in the cannula and having a distal end engaging an end of the line of elements more remote from the distal end of the cannula. view more

An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the line of elements is encapsulated in a biodegradable material, the seeds being held in spaced relation by the biodegradable material.

An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said end plug seals the distal end of the needle assembly and wherein the needle assembly is pre-loaded with said line of elements and is sterile.

A method of making a needle assembly for implanting radiation seeds, comprising the steps of:</claim-text> a. providing a cannula having a sharpened distal end and a generally cylindrical plug, b. forcing the plug into the sharpened distal end of the la to frictionally reside there. view more