Device for loading radioactive seeds

• US 7,001,326 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2003
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jay C. Reed, Kevin M. Helle
• Original Assignee: Jay C. Reed, Kevin M. Helle
• Inventors: Reed, Jay C., Helle, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Application Number:
  US10/715,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20050209500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 600 1- 8, 604 19- 21
• 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

Abstract

A loader device, for dispensing implantation seeds from a seed magazine, comprising a body (3), seed magazine receiving and locating means (27), seed dispensing means (37) for ejecting seeds from a seed magazine, and a seed-transporting path (17) leading to a dispensing outlet (8), which loader device further comprises a spacer-transporting path (29, 31, 33, 35) for transporting spacers through the device to the dispensing outlet (8).

Claims

1. A method for dispensing seeds and spacers comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a loader with a body, seed magazine receiving and locating means, seed dispensing means for ejecting seeds from a seed magazine, a seed-transporting path leading to a dispensing outlet, a spacer-transporting path distinct from said seed-transporting path, an elongate channel segment, and a dispensing outlet, wherein said elongate channel segment extends in fluid communication between both said seed-transporting path and said spacer-transporting path at one end and said dispensing outlet at the opposed end;

(ii) mounting a seed magazine containing one or more seeds in said seed transporting path and dispensing a seed through said dispensing outlet;

(iii) placing a spacer in said spacer transporting path; and

(iv) dispensing said spacer through said outlet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said spacers are placed and dispensed by the method comprising:

(i) providing said loader with a spacer magazine receiving and locating means;

(ii) mounting a spacer magazine containing spacers in said spacer magazine receiving and locating means;

(iii) ejecting a spacer into said spacer transporting path; and

(iv) dispensing said spacer through said dispensing outlet.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said spacers are made of a synthetic, bioabsorbable material.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said spacers in said spacer magazine are sterile.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said seed magazine contains seeds and said magazine and seeds are sterile and removed from sterile integrity packaging.