Methods and apparatuses for radiation treatment

• US 20030199848A1
• Filed: 05/28/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony J. Bradshaw, Henckel J. Eric, Michelle N. Ledesma, Richard T. Thornton
• Original Assignee: Anthony J. Bradshaw, Henckel J. Eric, Michelle N. Ledesma, Richard T. Thornton
• Inventors: Thornton, Richard T., Henckel, J. Eric, Ledesma, Michelle N., Bradshaw, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,090,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1047 having centering means, e.g. balloons having an appropriate shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1003 having means for centering a radioactive source within the lumen, e.g. balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1002 Intraluminal radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for positioning a radiation source in vivo relative to radio-opaque markers on a catheter that delineate a therapeutic treatment length so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along the therapeutic treatment length.

Claims

1. A radiation delivery catheter comprising:

an elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a radiation source;

proximal and distal markers attached to said elongate, tubular member, wherein said proximal and distal markers are spaced apart along said elongate, tubular member so as to define a therapeutic treatment length.

2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

3. The catheter of claim 1 further comprising a centering mechanism that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

4. The catheter of claim 1 further comprising a centering balloon that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said therapeutic treatment length is the region in which a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered.

6. The catheter of claim 5 wherein a therapeutic dose of radiation is at least the minimum amount of radiation that will effectively reduce restenosis when delivered to a prescribed location of vessel.

116. The method of claim 111 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a proximal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said third positioning marker is located a second distance proximal to said proximal marker, said second distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic portion of the radiation source.

117. The method of claim 116 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

7. A radiation delivery catheter comprising:

an elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a radiation source;

a proximal marker and a distal marker attached to said elongate, tubular member, wherein said proximal and distal markers are spaced apart along said elongate, tubular member so as to define a therapeutic treatment length;

a source positioning marker attached to said elongate, tubular member, said source positioning marker being located a distance distal to said distal marker, said distance being at least the distal length of the radiation source in which a sub-therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered.

8. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said distance further includes a length defined by one or more positioning tolerances.

9. The catheter of claim 7 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

10. The catheter of claim 7 further comprising a centering mechanism that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

11. The catheter of claim 7 further comprising a centering balloon that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

12. A radiation delivery catheter comprising:

an elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a radiation source;

a proximal marker and a distal marker attached to said elongate, tubular member, wherein said proximal and distal markers are spaced apart along said elongate, tubular member so as to define a therapeutic treatment length, wherein said distal marker is distally elongated a distance at least the distal length of the radiation source in which a sub-therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered.

13. The catheter of claim 12 wherein said distance further includes a length defined by one or more positioning tolerances.

14. The catheter of claim 12 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

15. The catheter of claim 12 further comprising a centering balloon that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

16. The catheter of claim 12 further comprising a centering balloon that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

17. A radiation delivery catheter comprising:

an elongate, tubular member having a dead-end lumen for receiving a radiation source;

a proximal marker and a distal marker attached to said elongate, tubular member, wherein said proximal and distal markers are spaced apart along said elongate, tubular member so as to define a therapeutic treatment length, said distal marker being spaced a distance proximal to said dead-end lumen, said distance being at least the distal length of the radiation source in which a sub-therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered.

18. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said distance further includes a length defined by one or more positioning tolerances.

19. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

20. The catheter of claim 17 further comprising a centering mechanism that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

21. The catheter of claim 17 further comprising a centering balloon that substantially radially centers said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel lumen.

22. A radiation source comprising:

a distal end;

a proximal end;

a radioactive region located between said distal end and said proximal end;

at least one marker, said at least one marker being positioned within said radioactive region.

23. The radiation source of claim 22 wherein said radioactive region further comprises a therapeutic dose region and at least a distal sub-therapeutic dose region, and further wherein said at least one marker is located a distance proximal to said distal end, said distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic dose region.

24. The radiation source of claim 23 wherein said distance further includes a length defined by one or more positioning tolerances.

25. The radiation source of claim 23 further comprising a distal source end marker located at the distal end of the radiation source.

26. The radiation source of claim 22 wherein said radioactive region further comprises a therapeutic dose region and at least a proximal sub-therapeutic dose region, and further wherein said at least one marker is located a distance distal to said proximal end, said distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic dose region.

27. The radiation source of claim 26 wherein said distance further includes a length defined by one or more positioning tolerances.

28. The radiation source of claim 26 further comprising a proximal source end marker located at the proximal end of the radiation source.

29. A radioactive source comprising:

a distal end;

a proximal end;

at least a first marker and a second marker located between said distal end and said proximal end, said first marker and said second marker being spaced apart so as to define the therapeutic dose region of the source.

30. The radioactive source of claim 29 further comprising at least a third marker, said third marker being located at said distal end.

31. The radioactive source of claim 29 further comprising at least a third marker, said third marker being located at said proximal end.

32. A radiation delivery system comprising:

a radiation source having a radioactive region, said radioactive region having a proximal and a distal sub-therapeutic dose region and a therapeutic dose region located therebetween;

an elongate, tubular member for receiving said radiation source, said elongate, tubular member having proximal and distal markers, said proximal and distal markers spaced a distance less than or equal to the length of the therapeutic dose region of the radiation source.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein said proximal and distal markers are spaced a distance less than or equal to the length of the therapeutic dose region of the radiation source minus a positioning tolerance length.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein a portion of said elongate, tubular member extends a length (L) distal to the distal marker, wherein L is equal to at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic dose region.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein L further includes a positioning tolerance length.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

37. The system of claim 32 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

39. A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation to a specified length of vessel, said method comprising:

positioning an a elongate, tubular member. within a specified length of vessel, said elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a radiation source, said elongate, tubular member having proximal and distal markers, said proximal and distal markers spaced a first distance less than or equal to the length of the therapeutic dose region of the radiation source;

positioning a radiation source within said elongate, tubular member so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered between said proximal and distal markers, said radiation source having proximal and distal ends and a radioactive region therebetween.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said proximal and distal markers are spaced a first distance less than or equal to the length of the therapeutic dose region of the radiation source minus a positioning tolerance length.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein said therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered between said proximal and distal markers according to a stepping protocol.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein said radiation source further comprises a source end marker at the distal end, and further wherein said radioactive region further comprises proximal and distal sub-therapeutic dose regions and a therapeutic dose region therebetween, and wherein said positioning a radiation source further comprises positioning said source end marker a second distance distal to said distal marker, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic dose region.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

44. The method of claim 39 wherein said radiation source further comprises a source end marker at the proximal end, and further wherein said radioactive region further comprises at least a proximal sub-therapeutic dose region and a therapeutic dose region, and wherein said positioning a radiation source further comprises positioning said source end marker a second distance proximal to said proximal marker, said second distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic dose region.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

46. The method of claim 39 wherein said radiation source further comprises a source end marker at the distal end, and further wherein said radioactive region further comprises at least a distal sub-therapeutic dose region and a therapeutic dose region, and wherein said positioning a radiation source further comprises positioning said source end marker a second distance distal to said distal marker, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic dose region.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

48. A radiation delivery system comprising:

a radiation source having a radioactive region, said radioactive region having a proximal and a distal sub-therapeutic dose region and a therapeutic dose region located therebetween;

an elongate, tubular member having a dead-end lumen for receiving said radiation source, said elongate, tubular member further comprising a first marker located a distance proximal to said dead-end lumen, said distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic dose region of the radiation source.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein said elongate, tubular member further comprises a second marker, wherein said first marker and said second marker define a therapeutic treatment length approximately equal to the length of the therapeutic dose region of the source.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein said therapeutic treatment length further includes a positioning tolerance length.

51. The system of claim 48 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

53. A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation to a specified length of vessel, said method comprising:

positioning an elongate, tubular member within a specified length of vessel, said elongate, tubular member having a dead-end lumen for receiving a radiation source, said elongate, tubular member further comprising a first marker and a second marker, wherein said first marker is located a distance proximal to said dead-end lumen, and further wherein said first marker and said second marker define a therapeutic treatment length approximately equal to the length of the therapeutic dose region of the radiation source;

positioning a radiation source within said elongate, tubular member so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered between said first and second markers, said radiation source having a therapeutic dose region and proximal and distal ends, said radiation source being positioned so that said distal end dead-ends in said dead-end lumen.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein said therapeutic treatment length further includes a positioning tolerance length.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a distal sub-therapeutic dose region, and wherein said distance is at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic dose region of the radiation source.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein said therapeutic treatment length further includes a positioning tolerance length.

57. The method of claim 53 wherein said therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered between said first and second markers according to a stepping protocol.

58. A radiation delivery system comprising:

a radiation source having a first marker, said radiation having proximal and distal ends, and a therapeutic portion therebetween;

an elongate, tubular member for receiving said radiation source, said elongate, tubular member having second and third markers, said second and third markers spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length, said first marker substantially aligned with one of said second and third markers.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a distal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said first marker is located a second distance proximal to said distal end of said radiation source, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic portion of the source.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

61. The system of claim 59 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

62. The system of claim 59 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

64. The system of claim 58 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a proximal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said first marker is located a second distance distal to said proximal end, said second distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic portion of the source.

65. The system of claim 64 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

66. The system of claim 64 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

67. The system of claim 64 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

68. The system of claim 67 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

69. A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation to a specified length of vessel, said method comprising:

positioning an elongate, tubular member within a specified length of vessel, said elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a radiation source, said elongate member having proximal and distal markers spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length;

positioning a radiation source within said elongate, tubular member so that a therapeutic dose or radiation is delivered between said proximal and distal markers, said radiation source having proximal and distal ends and a therapeutic portion therebetween, said radiation source further having a source marker, said source marker being substantially aligned with one of said proximal and distal markers.

70. The method of claim 69 wherein said first distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

71. The method of claim 69 wherein said therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered between said proximal and distal markers according to a stepping protocol.

72. The method of claim 69 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a distal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said source marker is located a second distance proximal to said distal end, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic portion of the source, and wherein said source marker is substantially aligned with said distal marker.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

74. The method of claim 69 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a proximal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said source marker is located a second distance distal to said proximal end, said second distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic portion of the source, and wherein said source marker is substantially aligned with said proximal marker.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

76. A radiation delivery system comprising:

a radiation source, said radiation source having proximal and distal ends and a therapeutic portion therebetween;

an elongate, tubular member for receiving said radiation source, said elongate, tubular member having proximal and distal markers, said proximal and distal markers spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length, and further wherein at least one of said proximal and distal markers is elongated.

77. The system of claim 76 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a distal sub-therapeutic portion, and further wherein said distal marker is distally elongated outside said therapeutic treatment length a second distance, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic portion of the source, said distal end of said radiation source being aligned with said elongated distal marker so that said distal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source is within said second distance.

78. The system of claim 77 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

79. The system of claim 77 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

80. The system of claim 77 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

81. The system of claim 80 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

82. The system of claim 76 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a proximal sub-therapeutic portion, and further wherein said proximal marker is proximally elongated outside said therapeutic treatment length a second distance, said second distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic portion of the source, said proximal end of said radiation source being aligned with said elongated proximal marker so that said proximal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source is within said second distance.

83. The system of claim 82 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

84. The system of claim 82 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

85. The system of claim 82 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

86. The system of claim 85 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

87. A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation to a specified length of vessel, said method comprising:

positioning an elongate, tubular member within a specified length of vessel, said elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a radiation source, said elongate member having proximal and distal markers spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length, wherein at least one of said proximal and distal markers is elongated;

positioning a radiation source within said elongate, tubular member so that a therapeutic dose or radiation is delivered between said proximal and distal markers, said radiation source having proximal and distal ends and a therapeutic portion therebetween.

88. The method of claim 87 wherein said first distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

89. The method of claim 87 wherein said therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered between said proximal and distal markers according to a stepping protocol.

90. The method of claim 87 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a distal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said distal marker is distally elongated a second distance, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

92. The method of claim 90 wherein said distal end of said radiation source is aligned with said elongated distal marker so that said distal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source is within said second distance.

93. The method of claim 90 wherein said radiation source further comprises a distal source end marker, and wherein said distal source end marker is aligned with said elongated distal marker so that said distal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source is within said second distance.

94. The method of claim 87 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a proximal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said proximal marker is proximally elongated a second distance, said second distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source.

95. The method of claim 94 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

96. The method of claim 94 wherein said proximal end of said radiation source is aligned with said elongated proximal marker so that said proximal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source is within said second distance.

97. The method of claim 94 wherein said radiation source further comprises a proximal source end marker, and wherein said proximal source end marker is aligned with said elongated proximal marker so that said proximal sub-therapeutic portion of said radiation source is within said second distance.

98. A radiation delivery system comprising:

a radiation source, said radiation source being radio-opaque;

an elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving said radiation source, said elongate, tubular member having first, second and third markers, wherein one of said proximal and distal ends of said radiation source is substantially aligned with one of said first, second and third markers.

99. The system of claim 98 wherein said first and second markers are spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length.

100. The system of claim 99 wherein said radiation source further comprises a therapeutic portion and a distal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said third marker is located a second distance distal to said second marker, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic portion of the radiation source.

101. The system of claim 100 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

102. The system of claim 100 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

103. The system of claim 100 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

104. The system of claim 103 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

105. The system of claim 99 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a therapeutic portion and a proximal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said third marker is located a second distance proximal to said proximal marker, said second distance being at least the length of the proximal sub-therapeutic portion of the radiation source.

106. The system of claim 105 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

107. The system of claim 105 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

108. The system of claim 105 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

109. The system of claim 108 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

110. A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation to a specified length of vessel, said method comprising:

positioning an elongate, tubular member within a specified length of vessel, said elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a radiation source, said elongate, tubular member having first, second, and third markers;

positioning a radio-opaque radiation source within said elongate, tubular member, said radiation source having proximal and distal ends, wherein one of said proximal and distal ends is substantially aligned with one of said first, second, and third markers.

111. The method of claim 110 wherein said first and second markers are spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length, and further wherein one of said proximal and distal ends is substantially aligned with one of said first, second, and third markers so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along said therapeutic treatment length.

112. The method of claim 111 wherein said first distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

113. The method of claim 112 wherein said therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along said therapeutic treatment length according to a stepping protocol.

114. The method of claim 111 wherein said radiation source further comprises at least a distal sub-therapeutic portion, and wherein said third marker is located a second distance distal to said distal marker, said second distance being at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic portion of the radiation source.

115. The method of claim 114 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance length.

118. A radiation delivery system comprising:

an elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a source wire, said elongate, tubular member having proximal and distal markers, said proximal and distal markers spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length;

a means for positioning a source wire within said elongate, tubular member, said means for positioning a source wire further comprising;

a means for positioning a dummy source wire at a first location within said elongate, tubular member;

a means for positioning a radioactive source wire within said elongate, tubular member at a second distance relative to the first location of said dummy source wire so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along said therapeutic treatment length;

a dummy source wire positionable within said elongate, tubular member at a first location, said dummy source wire having a first marker;

a radioactive source wire positionable within said elongate, tubular member at a second distance relative to said first location of said dummy source wire so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along said therapeutic treatment length.

119. The system of claim 118 wherein said means for positioning a source wire is an afterloader.

120. The system of claim 118 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

121. The system of claim 118 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel.

122. The system of claim 121 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

123. The system of claim 118 wherein said radioactive source wire further comprises a therapeutic dose region and at least a distal sub-therapeutic dose region, wherein said second distance is equal to at least the length of the distal sub-therapeutic dose region and said second location is distal to said distal marker.

124. The system of claim 123 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance.

125. The system of claim 123 wherein said elongate, tubular member substantially radially centers said therapeutic dose region within a vessel.

126. The system of claim 123 further comprising a centering mechanism for substantially radially centering said therapeutic treatment length within a vessel.

127. The system of claim 126 wherein said centering mechanism is a centering balloon.

128. A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation to a specified length of vessel, said method comprising:

positioning an elongate, tubular member within a specified length of vessel, said elongate, tubular member having a lumen for receiving a source wire, said elongate, tubular member having proximal and distal markers, said proximal and distal markers spaced a first distance apart so as to define a therapeutic treatment length;

positioning a dummy source wire at a first location within said elongate, tubular member, said dummy source wire having a first marker, said first marker being substantially aligned with said distal marker;

positioning a radioactive source wire within said elongate, tubular member at a second distance from said first location of said dummy source wire so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along said therapeutic treatment length.

129. The method of claim 128 wherein said first distance further includes a positioning tolerance.

130. The method of claim 128 wherein said therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered according to a stepping protocol.

131. The method of claim 128 wherein said radioactive source wire further comprises proximal and distal ends, and at least a distal sub-therapeutic dose region and a therapeutic dose region, and wherein said distal end is positioned a second distance distal to said first location, said second distance being at least equal to the length of said distal sub-therapeutic dose region.

132. The method of claim 131 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance.

133. The method of claim 128 wherein said radioactive source wire further comprises a therapeutic dose region and at least a distal sub-therapeutic dose region, and a second marker wherein said marker is positioned said second distance distal to said first location, said second distance being equal to at least the distal sub-therapeutic dose region.

134. The method of claim 133 wherein said second distance further includes a positioning tolerance.

135. A radiation delivery device comprising:

a connector, said connector for attaching a catheter, said catheter for receiving a radiation source, said connector providing a via through which said radiation source is positioned within said catheter;

an inactive radiation source receivable by said catheter, said inactive radiation source being positionable at a first location within said catheter;

a means for positioning said inactive radiation source at a first location within said catheter;

means for recording said first location;

an active radiation source receivable by said catheter, said active radiation source being positionable within said catheter relative to said first location of said inactive radiation source so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along a specified length of said catheter;

means for positioning said active radiation source relative to said first location of said inactive radiation source so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered along said specified length of said catheter.

136. The device of claim 135 wherein said device is an afterloader.

137. The device of claim 135 further comprising:

a means for manually inputting data;

a means for receiving manually input data;

a means for outputting data for display;

a means for displaying data, said data being manually input or output.

138. The device of claim 135 wherein said connector is adapted to receive a connector key attached to said catheter, said connector key when attached to said connector providing at least one parameter pertaining to said catheter

139. A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation comprising:

positioning a catheter within a specified length of tissue, said catheter having a lumen for receiving a radiation source,

positioning an inactive radiation source at a first location within said catheter;

recording said first location;

removing said inactive radiation source from said catheter;

positioning an active radiation source at a second location within said catheter relative to said first location of said inactive radiation source so that a therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered to at least said specified length of tissue;

removing said active radiation source.

140. The method of claim 139 wherein said positioning an active radiation source further comprises distally overshooting said first location with said active radiation source and then retracting said active radiation source to a second location a pre-determined distance from said first location.

141. The method of claim 139 wherein said therapeutic dose of radiation is delivered according to a stepping protocol.