Brachytherapy seed transport devices and methods for using same

• US 20040225176A1
• Filed: 05/05/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jubilant DraxImage Inc. (Jubilant Pharmova Limited)
• Original Assignee: Draxis Specialty Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Jubilant Pharmova Limited)
• Inventors: Morel, Pierre, Flanagan, Richard J., Riddoch, R. William
• Granted Patent: US 7,037,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1009 Apparatus for loading seeds into magazines or needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1023 Means for creating a row of seeds, e.g. spacers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for transporting implants. In one embodiment, the implants are radioactive seeds contained within substantially transparent sleeves that can be sealed at both ends. Multiple sleeves can be placed in a transfer device that, in turn, can be placed in a canister for further protection. The entire assembly can be sterilized prior to shipment to the user. Upon receipt, one can verify the loading pattern and activity of each sleeve, open one of the seals, and transfer the contents into a brachytherapy needle.

Claims

1. A sleeve comprising:

a first end;

a second end;

a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends to define a sleeve interior volume;

a first seal affixed to said lateral wall in a substantially permanent manner at said first end;

a second seal affixed to said lateral wall at said second end; and

a plurality of brachytherapy seeds positioned within said sleeve interior volume.

2. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said lateral wall comprises one or more of polyester, polycarbonate, polyimide, glass, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamideimide, and polyetherimide.

3. The sleeve of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of spacers located between said brachytherapy seeds.

4. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said first seal is integral with said lateral wall.

7. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said lateral wall comprises a substantially non-shielding material.

8. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said second seal is removable.

9. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said second seal is a cap.

10. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said second seal comprises curable polymer.

11. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said second seal comprises heat shrink tubing.

12. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said second seal is affixed to said lateral wall in a substantially permanent manner.

13. The sleeve of claim 11 wherein said second seal is formed by crimping said second end of said lateral wall.

14. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said first seal and said second seal hermetically seal said sleeve interior volume.

43. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said plurality of brachytherapy seeds comprise a first seed having a first seed radioactivity level and a second seed having a second seed radioactivity level, wherein said first seed radioactivity level is less than said second seed radioactivity level.

5. (canceled)

6. A sleeve comprising:

a first end;

a second end;

a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends to define a sleeve interior volume;

a first seal affixed to said lateral wall in a substantially permanent manner at said first end; and

a plurality of brachytherapy seeds positioned within said sleeve interior volume,

wherein said plurality of brachytherapy seeds comprise a first seed having a first seed radioactivity level and a second seed having a second seed radioactivity level, wherein said first seed radioactivity level is less than said second seed radioactivity level.

15. A system comprising:

a transfer device comprising a first surface at a first end, a second surface at a second end, at least one lateral wall extending between said ends, and a plurality of apertures in said first surface; and

a sleeve comprising a first end, a second end, a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends, and a first seal affixed to said lateral wall at said first end, wherein a plurality of brachytherapy seeds are disposed within said sleeve and said sleeve is positioned within at least one of said apertures.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said first seal is affixed to said lateral wall in a substantially permanent manner.

17. The system of claim 15 further comprising a second seal affixed to said lateral wall at said second end.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said brachytherapy seeds are hermetically sealed in said sleeve.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said plurality of brachytherapy seeds comprise a first seed having a first seed radioactivity level and a second seed having a second seed radioactivity level, wherein said first seed radioactivity level is less than said second seed radioactivity level.

20. The sleeve of claim 15 wherein said lateral wall comprises a substantially non-shielding material.

21. The system of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of said sleeves positioned within said apertures.

22. The system of claim 15 further comprising a holder formed from a substantially transparent material, comprising a first surface at a first end, a second surface at a second end, at least one lateral wall extending between said ends, and at least one aperture in said first surface adapted to receive said sleeve.

23. (canceled)

24. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a sleeve having a first end, a second end, a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends to define a sleeve interior volume, a first seal affixed to said lateral wall in a substantially permanent manner at said first end, and a plurality of brachytherapy seeds positioned within said sleeve interior volume;

providing a brachytherapy needle having a substantially tapered end, a substantially blunt end, and a lateral wall extending between said ends to define a needle interior volume;

positioning an end of said sleeve proximate said substantially blunt end of said needle, and

transferring at least one of said seeds from said sleeve interior volume to said needle interior volume.

44. The method of claim 24 wherein a plurality of spacers are positioned between said brachytherapy seeds, and said seeds and said spacers are positioned in said sleeve in a predetermined sequence.

25. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a sleeve having a first end, a second end, a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends to define a sleeve interior volume, and a plurality of brachytherapy seeds positioned within said sleeve interior volume;

providing a brachytherapy needle having a substantially tapered end, a substantially blunt end, and a lateral wall extending between said ends to define a needle interior volume;

positioning an end of said sleeve proximate said substantially blunt end of said needle;

transferring at least one of said seeds from said sleeve interior volume to said needle interior volume, and breaching a seal affixed to said lateral wall at one of said ends prior to performing said transferring step.

45. The method of claim 25 wherein a plurality of spacers are positioned between said brachytherapy seeds, and said seeds and said spacers are positioned in said sleeve in a predetermined sequence.

26. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a sleeve having a first end, a second end, a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends to define a sleeve interior volume, and a plurality of brachytherapy seeds positioned within said sleeve interior volume;

providing a brachytherapy needle having a substantially tapered end, a substantially blunt end, and a lateral wall extending between said ends to define a needle interior volume,

positioning an end of said sleeve proximate said substantially blunt end of said needle;

transferring at least one of said seeds from said sleeve interior volume to said needle interior volume, and further comprising, and

placing said sleeve within a mass of radiation absorbing material.

46. The method of claim 26 wherein a plurality of spacers are positioned between said brachytherapy seeds, and said seeds and said spacers are positioned in said sleeve in a predetermined sequence.

27. (canceled)

28. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a sleeve that comprises a first end, a second end, a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends, and a first seal affixed to said lateral wall in a substantially permanent manner at said first end; and

placing a plurality of brachytherapy seeds in said sleeve through said second end;

providing a transfer device comprising a first surface at a first end, a second surface at a second end, at least one lateral wall extending between said ends, and a plurality of apertures in said first surface adapted to receive said sleeve; and

placing said sleeve in one of said apertures.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of sealing said second end.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of placing spacers in said sleeve between said brachytherapy seeds.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said seeds and said spacers are positioned in said sleeve in a predetermined sequence.

33. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of sterilizing said transfer device containing said sleeve.

34. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of placing a cover over said sleeve and said first end of said transfer device.

32. (canceled)

35. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a transfer device comprising;

a first surface at a first end,

a second surface at a second end,

at least one lateral wall extending between said ends,

at least one sleeve comprising a first end, a second end, a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends to define a sleeve interior volume, and a plurality of brachytherapy seeds positioned within said sleeve interior volume; and

a plurality of apertures in said first surface adapted to receive said sleeve;

removing said sleeve from said transfer device; and

removing at least one of said seeds from said sleeve interior volume.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the steps of:

providing a brachytherapy needle having a substantially tapered end, a substantially blunt end, and a lateral wall extending between said ends to define a needle interior volume;

positioning an end of said sleeve proximate said substantially blunt end of said needle;

transferring at least one of said seeds to said needle interior volume.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein said sleeve comprises a seal affixed to said lateral wall at one of said ends.

38. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of breaching said seal.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said seal is breached by cutting said sleeve to remove said seal.

40. A device formed from a substantially transparent material, comprising a first surface at a first end, a second surface at a second end, at least one lateral wall extending between said ends, and at least one aperture in said first surface adapted to receive a sleeve comprising a first end, a second end, a substantially transparent lateral wall extending between said ends, and a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within said sleeve.

41. The device of claim 40 wherein said material absorbs substantially all radiation emitted by said seeds.

42. The device of claim 41 wherein said material comprises at least one lead salt.