Formable integral source material for medical devices
OwnerFearghus O'Foghludhainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides an integral source material having at least one nuclide that is activatable by exposure to irradiation. The nuclide is a chemically bound constituent of a polymer making up the integral source material. Thus, the integral source material can be configured before activation into a medical device or component.
Claims25
An integral source material having at least one nuclide that is activatable by exposure to radiation, the nuclide is a chemically bound constituent of a polymer of the integral source material, wherein the integral source material is configured before activation to provide a medical device.
A radioactive stent comprising a generally cylindrical thin-walled structure, the stent including a base matrix polymer having at least one nuclide as a chemically bound constituent thereof, the nuclide capable of being activated by exposure to radiation.
A method of inhibiting stenosis or restenosis at a vessel wall of a patient comprising:
- (a) providing a radioactive stent comprising a generally cylindrical thin-walled structure, the stent including a base matrix polymer having at least one nuclide as a chemical constituent thereof, the nuclide capable of being activated by exposure to radiation;
- (b) activating the nuclide by exposing the inactive stent to ionizing radiation to provide a radioactive stent;
- and
- (c) inserting the radioactive stent into a vessel of a patient so that the vessel wall is exposed to radiation thereby inhibiting restenosis.
A radiation-emitting brachytherapy device comprising a seed, wherein the seed is formed from a base polymer matrix having a nuclide as a chemical constituent, the nuclide activatable by exposure to ionizing radiation.
A radiation-emitting brachytherapy device comprising a sealed capsule having a portion therein, wherein the portion includes a base polymer having a nuclide as a chemical constituent, the nuclide activatable by exposure to ionizing radiation.
A radiation-emitting brachytherapy device adapted for use in combination with a balloon catheter, the radiation emitting device disposed in the balloon catheter and including a base matrix polymer having a nuclide as a chemical constituent thereof, the nuclide capable of being activated by exposure to ionizing radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.