Needle holder assembly

• US 6,565,502 B1
• Filed: 03/04/2002
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Capintec, Inc. (American Capital Limited)
• Original Assignee: Capintec, Inc. (American Capital Limited)
• Inventors: Dell, Mary Anne, Thiele, Charles, Bede, Jessica
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Veniaminov, Nikita R
• Application Number:
  US10/090,448
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 600/7-8, 604/115-117, 604/162, 604/164.04, 604/178, 604/192, 604/65, 250/507.1, 250/423.R, 250/506.1, 209/542, 209/544, 209/576
• US Class Current: 600/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1009 Apparatus for loading seeds into magazines or needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 Interstitial radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/015 for storing radioactive sources, e.g. source carriers for irradiation units; Radioisotope containers

Abstract

A needle holder for use in a seed handling assembly that is made as a box-like open-sided metal frame having a bottom, a top and opposed side frame members with a pair of steel shielding plates enclosing the sides of the frame. The top frame member defines at least one row of holes for receiving elongated needles containing radioactive seeds. Feet are attached to opposite sides of the frame to enable the needle holder to be free standing. Lifting elements are attached to the frame to enable the needle holder to be picked up and moved while needles are held in the needle holder and for a person lifting and moving the needle holder to be shielded from radioactive seeds in a needle.

Claims

1. A needle holder for use in a seed handling assembly comprising a box-like open-sided metal frame having a bottom, a top and opposed side frame members,

a pair of steel shielding plates enclosing the sides of the frame,

the top frame member defining at least one row of holes for receiving elongated needles containing radioactive seeds,

feet attached to opposite sides of the frame to enable the needle holder to be free standing, and

lifting elements attached to the frame to enable the needle holder to be picked up and moved while needles are held in the needle holder and for a person lifting and moving the needle holder to be shielded from radioactive seeds in a needle.

2. A needle holder according to claim 1 wherein two rows of staggered holes are defined in the top frame member.

3. A needle holder according to claim 1 wherein the feet are disposed normal to the planes of the steel shielding plates.

4. A needle holder according to claim 1 wherein each foot comprises a trapezoidal plate with the small base attached to the side frame member and the large base serving as the bearing surface to maintain the needle holder free standing.

5. A needle holder according to claim 1 wherein the lifting elements are posts attached to the top portions of the side frame members and extend normal thereto terminating in free ends.

6. A needle holder for use in a seed handling assembly comprising a box-like open-sided metal frame having a bottom, a top and opposed side frame members,

a pair of steel shielding plates enclosing the sides of the frame,

the top frame member defining at least one row of holes for receiving elongated needles containing radioactive seeds,

feet attached to opposite sides of the frame to enable the needle holder to be free standing, each foot comprising a trapezoidal plate with the small base attached to the side frame member and the large base serving as the bearing surface to maintain the needle holder free standing, and

posts attached to the top portions of the side frame members and extending normal thereto terminating in free ends to enable the needle holder to be picked up and moved while needles are held in the needle holder and for a person lifting and moving the needle holder to be shielded from radioactive seeds in a needle.

7. A needle holder according to claim 6 wherein two rows of staggered holes are defined in the top frame member.