Brachytherapy cartridge including absorbable and autoclaveable spacer

A method of loading a brachytherapy seed delivery system wherein said method comprises the steps of:

• providing a seed cartridge including a central channel;
• placing at least two brachytherapy seeds into said central channel of said seed cartridge;
• placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in said central channel between said brachytherapy seeds;
• connecting said brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula;
• and
• forcing said seeds out of said brachytherapy seed cartridge into said cannula;
• wherein said brachytherapy seed cartridge and said brachytherapy needle are connected at a distal end of said cartridge which mates with a proximal end of said needle to insure the proper transfer of cartridge contents between said cartridge and said needle;
• whereby said spacers shrink no more than 14% in diameter and no more than 7% in length when autoclaved with steam at 135° C. for fifteen minutes.

An improved brachytherapy method wherein said method comprises the steps of:

• providing a seed cartridge including a central channel;
• placing at least two brachytherapy seeds into said central channel of said seed cartridge;
• placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in said central channel between said brachytherapy seeds;
• connecting said brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula;
• forcing said seeds out of said brachytherapy seed cartridge into said cannula;
• inserting said brachytherapy needle into a human organ;
• and
• forcing said seeds and said spacer through said cannula and into said human organ;
• wherein said brachytherapy seed cartridge and said brachytherapy needle are connected at a distal end of said cartridge which mates with a proximal end of said needle to insure the proper transfer of cartridge contents between said cartridge and said needle;
• whereby said spacers shrink no more than 14% in diameter and no more than 7% in length when autoclaved with steam at 135° C. for fifteen minutes.