Stent for neutron capture therapy and method of manufacture therefor
AssigneeAbbott Laboratories Vascular Entities Limited
InventorHans Lundqvist
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved method and apparatus for neutron capture therapy are provided that may beneficially be used to counteract restenosis wherein a stent comprises a stable nuclide having a large neutron capture cross-section that may be irradiated with thermal neutrons applied by an external source, after placement of the stent, thereby giving rise to therapeutic radiation in the proximity of the stent. Because the stent only contains stable nuclides, it can be handled without the precautions needed when handling radioactive matter. An improved stent and a method for manufacturing the stent also are provided.
Claims26
A stent for neutron capture therapy configured for implantation within a patient's body, the stent comprising a body portion fabricated from a material that incorporates a stable atomic element having a neutron capture cross-section greater than 103 barns, and emits therapeutic irradiation substantially only while being exposed to a thermal neutron irradiation after implantation in the patient's body.
A method of manufacturing a stent for neutron capture therapy following implantation within a patient's body, the method comprising introducing a material into a body portion of the stent, the material incorporating a stable atomic element having a neutron capture cross-section suitable for radiation when subjected to neutron irradiation and that emits therapeutic radiation substantially only while being exposed to a thermal neutron irradiation after implantation in the patient's body.
A method of performing neutron capture therapy, the method comprising:
- providing a stent comprising a body portion fabricated from a material that incorporates a stable atomic element, the element having a neutron capture cross-section greater than 103 barns;
- deploying the stent at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature;
- and
- externally irradiating the patient near the treatment site with a thermal neutron irradiation, the stable atomic element preferentially absorbing and emitting the radiation to tissue at the treatment site substantially only while being exposed to the thermal neutron irradiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.