Radioactive seed-holding device
AssigneeMentor Corporation
InventorsMartin T. Steele SR., Scott Henderson, Joseph Harms
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is described that efficiently resupplies radioactive seeds to a brachytherapy applicator. A seed-holding system includes a holder and a transfer device. The holder, which may be disposable, stores the radioactive seeds and the transfer device, which may be reusable, helps shield and dispense the seeds. The holder is coupled to the transfer device, and the apparatus is mated to an applicator. After seeds have been dispensed, the apparatus may be disconnected from the applicator and the empty holder may be ejected from the transfer device, and replaced with a full holder.
Claims17
A device comprising:
- a holder configured to receive at least one radioactive seed, comprising a main body and a pusher that slides in the main body;
- a transfer device configured to engage the holder, the transfer device defining a proximal end and a distal end and comprising a housing, an expansive spring and a pusher assembly, the pusher assembly configured to engage the pusher, and the expansive spring configured to drive the pusher assembly toward the distal end of the transfer device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.