Apparatus for loading radioactive seeds and spacing elements into a brachytherapy needle

An apparatus for loading radioactive seeds and spacers into a needle for use in the treatment of cancer in a localized portion of the body, comprising:

• a tray assembly for receiving radioactive seeds and spacers, the tray assembly including a funnel portion into which the received seeds and spacers can be moved by use of a moving member, wherein the tray assembly includes at least two wells for receiving seed and spacer elements, respectively, and wherein the tray assembly further includes guiding elements which extend between each wall and the funnel portion for guiding the seeds and spacers to the funnel portion;
• a visualizing and positioning assembly for said seeds and spacers located beneath the funnel portion of the tray assembly, the visualizing assembly including a vertically oriented slot into which the seeds and spacers fall by gravity after being moved into the funnel portion, the visualizing assembly being partially transparent to permit a user to verify the arrangement of seeds and spacers in the slot;
• and
• a control element in the visualizing and positioning assembly, permitting release of the seeds and spacers into a hollow needle.

An apparatus for loading radioactive seeds and spacers into a needle for use in the treatment of cancer in a localized portion of the body, comprising:

• a tray assembly for receiving radioactive seeds and spacers, the tray assembly including a funnel portion into which the received seeds and spacers can be moved by use of a moving member;
• a visualizing and positioning assembly for said seeds and spacers located beneath the funnel portion of the tray assembly, the visualizing assembly including a vertically oriented slot into which the seeds and spacers fall by gravity after being moved into the funnel portion, the visualizing assembly being partially transparent to permit a user to verify the arrangement of seeds and spacers in the slot;
• a control element in the visualizing and positioning assembly, permitting release of the seeds and spacers into a hollow needle;
• and
• a carrier assembly for holding needles to be loaded, the carrier being movable in such a manner that successive needles are positioned beneath the visualizing assembly for loading the seeds and spacers therefrom.

An apparatus for loading radioactive seeds and spacers into a needle for use in the treatment of cancer in a localized portion of the body, comprising:

• a seed and spacer assembly for receiving radioactive seeds and spacers, the seed and spacer assembly including a guide portion into which the received seeds and spacers can be moved by use of a moving member;
• a visualizing and positioning assembly for said seeds and spacers located beneath the guide portion of the seed and spacer assembly, the visualizing assembly including a single, vertically oriented slot into which the seeds and spacers fall by gravity after being moved into the guide portion, the visualizing assembly being partially transparent to permit a user to verify the arrangement of seeds and spacers in the slot;
• and
• a control element in the visualizing and positioning assembly, permitting release of the seeds and spacers downwardly by gravity action into a hollow needle.