Radioactive therapeutic seeds

• US 6,666,812 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Issued: 12/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Syntheon LLC
• Original Assignee: Syntheon LLC
• Inventors: Gordon, David P., Jahrmarkt, Scott L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Application Number:
  US10/281,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20030069463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 600/1-8
• US Class Current: 600/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1024 Seeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy

Abstract

Radioactive therapeutic seeds include one or more carrier structures each carrying a radioactive isotope, a ceramic spacer or collar member, a metal ring about the ceramic member, and a capsule formed from two tubular parts, each part including a closed end, an open end, and an interior. The open ends of the capsule abut the metal ring and are preferably welded thereto to form a generally uniform capsule wall such that the carrier structure(s) and ceramic member are contained in the interior of the capsule. The ceramic spacer preferably is hollow and a radiopaque or MRI-visible marker extends therethrough. Each of the embodiments is designed to provide a substantially isotropic distribution of radiation.

Claims

1. A radioactive therapeutic seed system, comprising:

a plurality of radioactive therapeutic seeds each containing a radioactive isotope, wherein

at least one of the therapeutic seeds has a relatively isotropic radiation pattern, and

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds has a ceramic collar member.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

said ceramic collar member has a gold or silver portion.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

said collar member includes a portion having an MRI-visible substance.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds includes a two part capsule which is sealed together over said ceramic collar.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein:

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds includes a ring which is sealed together with said two part capsule.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds has a two part capsule and a ceramic spacer.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein:

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds has a metal ring about said ceramic spacer.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds has a plurality of radiolucent spacers.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein:

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds has a radiopaque marker.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein:

said at least one of the therapeutic seeds has an MRI-visible marker.