Radioactive therapeutic seeds having fixation structure

A radioactive therapeutic seed for implantation into human tissue, comprising:

• a) a capsule having a longitudinal axis, said capsule provided with a radioactive isotope and adapted such that radiation transmitted from said capsule is radially anisotropic relative to a point on said longitudinal axis;
• and
• b) a means for preventing rotation of said seed once deployed in the human tissue.

A delivery system for implanting radioactive therapeutic seeds at an implant site, comprising:

• a) a hollow tube having proximal and distal ends and an interior surface;
• and
• b) a plurality of seeds loaded into said tube, each said seed including a radiation source and including an engagement means for engaging said interior surface of said tube such that said seeds do not exit the tube unless forced therefrom.

A radioactive therapeutic seed system for implantation into human tissue, comprising:

• a) at least one seed, said at least one seed comprising a biocompatible capsule having a first end and a second end, said first end having a first connecting structure and said second end having one of a second connecting structure, said capsule provided with a radioactive isotope;
• and
• b) a discrete linking member adapted to interlock with at least one of said first and second connecting structures and having an engagement means for positively engaging the tissue.

A linking member for linking two radioactive therapeutic seeds, each seed including a biocompatible capsule having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first connecting structure and the second end having one of the first connecting structure and a second connecting structure, said linking member, comprising:

• a body having a first means for interlocking with the first connecting structure, a second means for interlocking with the one of the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure, and an engagement means for positively engaging the tissue.

A radioactive therapeutic seed for implantation into human tissue, comprising:

• a substantially rigid radiolucent capsule provided with a cavity lying along a longitudinal axis of said capsule and containing a radioactive isotope, said capsule having an engagement means for automatically positively engaging the tissue.