Echogenic strands and spacers therein
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A strand for use in brachytherapy, comprising:
- encapsulating material;
a seed disposed within the encapsulating material;
a spacer formed by at least two strings twisted together, the spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged adjacent to the seed;
wherein a length of the spacer is defined by a length of the at least two strings twisted together;
wherein the at least two strings of the spacer do not cover the seed; and
at least one chamber formed along the length of the spacer, the at least one chamber adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer;
wherein each of the at least one chamber is formed between the encapsulating material and a groove at an abutment of two of the at least two strings.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Echogenic strands and spacers are provided for use in brachytherapy. Methods of making the strands and spacers are also provided. An echogenic strand for use in brachytherapy includes an encapsulating material, a seed disposed within the encapsulating material, and a spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged adjacent to the seed. The spacer has an external length and a chamber formed along the external length, the chamber being adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer.
183 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A strand for use in brachytherapy, comprising:
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encapsulating material; a seed disposed within the encapsulating material; a spacer formed by at least two strings twisted together, the spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged adjacent to the seed; wherein a length of the spacer is defined by a length of the at least two strings twisted together; wherein the at least two strings of the spacer do not cover the seed; and at least one chamber formed along the length of the spacer, the at least one chamber adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer; wherein each of the at least one chamber is formed between the encapsulating material and a groove at an abutment of two of the at least two strings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A strand for use in brachytherapy, comprising:
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encapsulating material; a first seed disposed within the encapsulating material; a second seed disposed within the encapsulating material; a spacer formed by at least two strings twisted together, the spacer disposed within the encapsulating material and arranged between the first seed and the second seed; wherein a length of the spacer that separates the first seed from the second seed is defined by a length of the at least two strings twisted together; and at least one chamber having a generally helical shape formed along at least a portion of the length of the spacer, the at least one chamber adapted to improve ultrasound visibility relative to the spacer; wherein each of the at least one chamber is formed between the encapsulating material and a groove at an abutment of two of the at least two strings. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A strand for use in brachytherapy comprising:
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a pair of treatment seeds; a spacer adapted to separate the pair of treatment seeds from one another, the spacer including three polymeric strings twisted together so that the spacer has an outer circumferential surface, wherein the three twisted together polymeric strings have an axial length adapted to substantially define a space between the pair of treatment seeds; and three helical grooves, each helical groove being formed in the outer circumferential surface where two of the three polymeric strings abut and each helical groove extending along the length of the spacer; and encapsulating material covering said seeds and said spacer such that said three helical grooves and said encapsulating material form three chambers that improve ultrasound visibility of the spacer.
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Specification