X-ray-emitting interstitial implants
First Claim
1. A seed for implantation into a tumor within a living body to emit X-ray radiation thereto comprising at least one pellet that contains palladium enriched in palladium-102 to contain many times the amount naturally present, said palladium-102 being activatable by exposure to neutron flux so as to transform a portion of said palladium-102 to an amount of X-ray emitting palladium-103 sufficient to provide a radiation level measured as compensated mCi of greater than 0.5, and a shell of biocompatible material encapsulating said at least one pellet, said biocompatible material being selected from a material that is penetratable by X-rays in the 20-23 kev range.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Particles or "seeds" are manufactured for implantation into tumors within a human body for emitting X-rays to destroy or reduce the tumors. The seeds contain palladium which is substantially enriched in palladium-102 and which is activated by exposure to neutron flux so as to contain a minor, but significant, fraction of X-ray-emitting palladium-103. The palladium is distributed on or throughout a base material so as to reduce self-shielding by the palladium. The seeds include an X-ray-opaque marker to facilitate external visualization of the seeds after their implantation, the marker preferably being formed of a material, such as lead or rhodium, which does not activate to contain undesirable isotopes under the radiation conditions in which palladium-102 is activated to palladium-103. The base material-distributed palladium and the marker are encased in an elongated shell which is formed by welding a pair of end caps to a tubular member, the construction of the shell reducing the mass of material at the end of the seed, thereby providing a more isotropic angular distribution of X-rays.
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Citations
9 Claims
- 1. A seed for implantation into a tumor within a living body to emit X-ray radiation thereto comprising at least one pellet that contains palladium enriched in palladium-102 to contain many times the amount naturally present, said palladium-102 being activatable by exposure to neutron flux so as to transform a portion of said palladium-102 to an amount of X-ray emitting palladium-103 sufficient to provide a radiation level measured as compensated mCi of greater than 0.5, and a shell of biocompatible material encapsulating said at least one pellet, said biocompatible material being selected from a material that is penetratable by X-rays in the 20-23 kev range.
Specification