Methods and systems for shaping the radiation distribution profile of a protected radiation source used for treating medical conditions

A system for providing a radiation source producing a radiation field, the system comprising:

• a radioactive source with a first geometry and first perimeter defining its first geometry, the radioactive source having material generally spanning an area bounded by the first perimeter, the radioactive source having a first thickness dimension and a first width dimension;
• and
• a container for enveloping the radioactive source, the container having a second thickness dimension and a second width dimension, the second thickness dimension being greater than the first thickness dimension, the second width dimension being greater than the first width dimension,
• wherein the radioactive source comprises a plurality of apertures that penetrate completely through the radioactive source, the plurality of apertures defining a patterned array, wherein the patterned array has multiple defined rows of apertures, the apertures having at least two different sizes such that radionuclide material has been strategically removed so as to modulate and shape the spatial intensity of the radiation field produced by the radioactive source across its face.

A system for providing a radiation source producing a radiation field, the system comprising:

• a radioactive source with a first geometry and first perimeter defining its first geometry, the radioactive source having material generally spanning an area bounded by the first perimeter, the radioactive source having a first thickness dimension and a first width dimension;
• and
• a cylindrical container for enveloping the radioactive source, the container having a second thickness dimension and a second width dimension, the second thickness dimension being greater than the first thickness dimension, the second width dimension being greater than the first width dimension,
• wherein the radioactive source comprises a plurality of apertures that penetrate completely through the radioactive source, the plurality of apertures defining a patterned array, wherein the patterned array has multiple defined rows of apertures, the apertures having at least two different sizes such that radionuclide material has been strategically removed so as to modulate and shape the spatial intensity of the radiation field produced by the radioactive source and container in a predetermined manner across its surface.