Selectively Loadable/Sealable Bioresorbable Carrier Assembly for Radioisotope Seeds
First Claim
1. A system for selectively loading and sealing a plurality of bioresorbable carriers for low dose radioisotope seeds comprising:
- a plurality of bioresorbable tubes each having a distal closed end and a proximal open end and a lumen therebetween;
a loading station that permits a user to load a selectable arrangement of elements including at least one radioisotope seed and at least one spacer into the lumen though the proximal open end of each bioresorbable tube; and
a finishing station that selectively seals the proximal open end of each bioresorbable tube at a sealing position along the bioresorbable tube that is generally adjacent to a proximal end of the selectable arrangement of elements such that the selectable arrangement of elements is retained within the bioresorbable tube;
such that the sealing position for different ones of the plurality of bioresorbable tubes is located at different distances from the distal closed end dependent upon the selectable arrangement of elements advanced into that bioresorbable tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for selectively loading and sealing a plurality of bioresorbable carriers for low dose radioisotope seeds comprising:
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a plurality of bioresorbable tubes each having a distal closed end and a proximal open end and a lumen therebetween; a loading station that permits a user to load a selectable arrangement of elements including at least one radioisotope seed and at least one spacer into the lumen though the proximal open end of each bioresorbable tube; and a finishing station that selectively seals the proximal open end of each bioresorbable tube at a sealing position along the bioresorbable tube that is generally adjacent to a proximal end of the selectable arrangement of elements such that the selectable arrangement of elements is retained within the bioresorbable tube;
such that the sealing position for different ones of the plurality of bioresorbable tubes is located at different distances from the distal closed end dependent upon the selectable arrangement of elements advanced into that bioresorbable tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for retaining a selectable arrangement of elements within a brachytherapy carrier comprising:
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loading a bioresorbable tube with the selectable arrangement of elements wherein the selectable arrangement of elements include at least one low dose radioisotope seed and at least one spacer, the selectable arrangement of elements being directed into the bioresorbable tube at a proximal open end and retained by a distal closed end; defining a sealing position along the length of the bioresorbable tube, the sealing position being determined by the selectable arrangement of elements within the bioresorbable tube, the sealing position being generally adjacent a proximalmost element; and sealing the bioresorbable tube by melting the bioresorbable tube at the sealing position such that the selectable arrangement of elements are encased within a sealed bioresorbable tube. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification