Hollow suture member with radioactive seeds positioned therein for treatment of prostate cancer
First Claim
1. A combination of a hollow suture member and a plurality of radioactive seeds located therein for use in treatment of prostate cancer, comprising:
- a hollow suture member; and
a string of a plurality of radioactive seeds positioned therein, separated from each other by spacer members, wherein the suture member includes a portion which extends beyond a first radioactive seed positioned at a forward end of said string of radioactive seeds a substantial distance of at least the length of one radioactive seed and spacer member, wherein the combination is adapted for insertion into a hollow insertion needle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method and apparatus includes a length of hollow suture material in which an alternating plurality of radioactive seeds and intermediate spacers are located. The suture member includes a portion which extends a substantial distance beyond the first radioactive seed in the suture member. The combination of the hollow suture member, the radioactive seeds and spacers is then moved into a insertion needle through a hub end thereof, to the point where the free end of the hollow suture member extends past the tip end of the insertion needle. The suture member then is pulled through the hollow insertion needle until the first radioactive seed in the suture member is positioned at the tip end of the insertion needle. The extended portion of the hollow suture member is then severed in the vicinity of the tip end of the insertion needle. The loaded insertion needle is then inserted into the prostate of the patient.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A combination of a hollow suture member and a plurality of radioactive seeds located therein for use in treatment of prostate cancer, comprising:
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a hollow suture member; and
a string of a plurality of radioactive seeds positioned therein, separated from each other by spacer members, wherein the suture member includes a portion which extends beyond a first radioactive seed positioned at a forward end of said string of radioactive seeds a substantial distance of at least the length of one radioactive seed and spacer member, wherein the combination is adapted for insertion into a hollow insertion needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of loading radioactive seeds into an insertion needle for use in the treatment of prostate cancer, the method comprising the steps of:
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loading radioactive seeds and spacers, with a spacer between successive seeds, into a hollow suture member, wherein the suture member includes a portion which extends a substantial distance beyond a first radioactive seed positioned in the suture member, from the first radioactive seed to a free end of the suture member;
inserting the loaded suture member into a hub end of a hollow needle suitable for insertion into the prostate;
moving the loaded suture member sufficiently through the insertion needle until said first radioactive seed in the suture member is approximately adjacent an opposing tip end of the hollow insertion needle; and
severing the extended portion in the vicinity of the tip end of the insertion needle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for loading radioactive seeds into an insertion needle and subsequent placement of the radioactive seeds in the prostate, the method comprising the steps of:
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loading radioactive seeds and spacers, with at least one spacer positioned between successive seeds, into a hollow suture member, wherein the suture member includes a portion which extends a substantial distance beyond the first radioactive seed positioned in the suture member, said portion extending from the first radioactive seed to a free end of the suture member;
inserting the loaded suture member into a hub end of a hollow needle suitable for insertion into the prostate, wherein the step of loading the radioactive seeds and spacers into the hollow suture member occurs prior to the insertion of the loaded suture member into the hub end of the hollow insertion needle;
moving the loaded suture member sufficiently through the insertion needle until said first radioactive seed in the suture member is approximately adjacent an opposing tip end of the hollow insertion needle;
severing the extended portion of the suture member from the remainder of the suture member in the vicinity of the tip end of the insertion needle;
inserting the loaded needle into the prostate to a preselected position therein; and
removing the needle from around the loaded suture member, leaving the loaded suture member in said preselected position in the prostate. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification