Grooved brachytherapy sources

• US 20030153804A1
• Filed: 02/10/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Healthcare Limited (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare Limited (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Eriksen, Morten, Tornes, Audun
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1024 Seeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 Interstitial radiation therapy

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A radioactive source suitable for use in brachytherapy, which comprises a radioisotope within a sealed biocompatible container, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the container comprises a series of grooves which have:

(i) a depth of 5 to 100 micrometers,

(ii) a width of 200 to 500 micrometers,

(iii) a spacing of 300 to 700 micrometers.

2. The radioactive source of claim 1, wherein the grooves are of curved cross-section.

3. The radioactive source of claim 1 or 2, wherein the grooved outer surface of the radioactive source is approximately sinusoidal or flattened sinusoidal in profile.

4. The radioactive source of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the grooves are formed in such a way that the wall thickness of the biocompatible container material is maintained.

5. The radioactive source of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the groove depth is 30 to 50 micrometers.

6. The radioactive source of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the groove spacing is 450 to 550 micrometers.

7. The radioactive source of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the groove width is 225 to 275 micrometers.

8. The radioactive source of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the outer surface of the container is provided with 4 to 7 circular circumferential grooves.

9. The radioactive source of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the biocompatible container comprises annealed titanium.

10. A delivery system for brachytherapy, which comprises:

(i) a substantially linear elongated member made from a material which is absorbable in living tissue,

(ii) a plurality of discrete radioactive sources as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 dispersed therein.

11. Biocompatible tubing suitable for use in the manufacture of the radioactive sources of claims 1 to 9, having at least one open end characterised in that at least a portion of the outer surface of the tubing comprises a series of curved grooves which have:

(i) a depth of 5 to 100 micrometers,

(ii) a width of 200 to 500 micrometers,

(iii) a spacing of 300 to 700 micrometers.

12. The biocompatible tubing of claim 11, wherein the grooved outer surface is approximately sinusoidal or flattened sinusoidal in profile.

14. A method of treatment of a condition responsive to radiation therapy which comprises temporary or permanent implantation of a radioactive source according to any of claims 1 to 9.

13. The tubing of claims 16 or 17, where the tubing material comprises annealed titanium.