Brachytherapy cartridge including absorbable and autoclaveable spacer
First Claim
1. A brachytherapy seed delivery system comprising:
- a seed cartridge including a central channel;
a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within said central channel; and
a plurality of absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers disposed within said central channel, wherein said absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers are interspersed between said brachytherapy seeds;
wherein said seed cartridge is connected to a needle at a distal end of said cartridge which mates with a proximal end of said needle to insure the proper transfer of cartridge contents between said cartridge and said needle;
whereby said spacers shrink no more than 14% in diameter and no more than 7% in length when autoclaved with steam at 135°
C. for fifteen minutes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a brachytherapy seed delivery system which includes a seed cartridge including a central channel, a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within the central channel and a plurality of absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers disposed within the central channel. The present invention is further directed to a method of loading a brachytherapy seed delivery system including the steps of: providing a seed cartridge including a central channel, seeds and spacers as described above; connecting the brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula; and forcing the seeds out of the brachytherapy seed cartridge into the cannula. The present invention is further directed to an improved brachytherapy method including inserting the brachytherapy needle of the brachytherapy seed delivery system recited above into a human organ; and forcing the seeds and the spacer through the cannula of the brachytherapy needle and into the human organ.
96 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A brachytherapy seed delivery system comprising:
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a seed cartridge including a central channel;
a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within said central channel; and
a plurality of absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers disposed within said central channel, wherein said absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers are interspersed between said brachytherapy seeds;
wherein said seed cartridge is connected to a needle at a distal end of said cartridge which mates with a proximal end of said needle to insure the proper transfer of cartridge contents between said cartridge and said needle;
whereby said spacers shrink no more than 14% in diameter and no more than 7% in length when autoclaved with steam at 135°
C. for fifteen minutes.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 17)
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6. A method of loading a brachytherapy seed delivery system wherein said method comprises the steps of:
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providing a seed cartridge including a central channel;
placing at least two brachytherapy seeds into said central channel of said seed cartridge;
placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in said central channel between said brachytherapy seeds;
connecting said brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula; and
forcing said seeds out of said brachytherapy seed cartridge into said cannula;
wherein said brachytherapy seed cartridge and said brachytherapy needle are connected at a distal end of said cartridge which mates with a proximal end of said needle to insure the proper transfer of cartridge contents between said cartridge and said needle;
whereby said spacers shrink no more than 14% in diameter and no more than 7% in length when autoclaved with steam at 135°
C. for fifteen minutes.- View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 15, 18)
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10. An improved brachytherapy method wherein said method comprises the steps of:
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providing a seed cartridge including a central channel;
placing at least two brachytherapy seeds into said central channel of said seed cartridge;
placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in said central channel between said brachytherapy seeds;
connecting said brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula;
forcing said seeds out of said brachytherapy seed cartridge into said cannula;
inserting said brachytherapy needle into a human organ; and
forcing said seeds and said spacer through said cannula and into said human organ;
wherein said brachytherapy seed cartridge and said brachytherapy needle are connected at a distal end of said cartridge which mates with a proximal end of said needle to insure the proper transfer of cartridge contents between said cartridge and said needle;
whereby said spacers shrink no more than 14% in diameter and no more than 7% in length when autoclaved with steam at 135°
C. for fifteen minutes.- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 16, 19)
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Specification