Abstract: An aggregate suspension containing holmium-166 hydroxide and a carrier (such as a particulate ferric hydroxide) is injected into a patient's anesthetized joint (such as a knee joint or hip joint) for the treatment of inflamed synovial tissues such as present in arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. The aggregate suspension is in a range of particle sizes from 1 to 40 microns. The holmium-166-containing suspension treats the synovial tissues, whereby radiation synovectomy takes place.

Abstract: .sup.166 Holmium in a carrier metallic hydroxide aggregate is disclosed for the treatment of arthritis and, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis. The compound disclosed preferably has a particle size of 1 to 40 microns, Beta energy emissions in the range of 1.76-1.84 MeV, low levels of gamma ray emissions and a radioactive half-life of 26.8 hours. The preferred metallic hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of Ferric Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Bismuth Hydroxide, Chromium Hydroxide, Cupric Hydroxide, Manganese Hydroxide and Stannous Hydroxide. Methods are also disclosed for the preparation of the compound, as well as for the methods of its administration to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Organophosphonates such as methylene diphosphonates and analogs thereof are tagged with chromium-51 for the treatment of bone cancer without causing damage to bone marrow. The chromium-51 organophosphonates seek out, attach to, and treat bone tumors with high specificity.

Abstract: .sup.1/3 Holmium in a carrier metallic hydroxide aggregate is disclosed for the treatment of arthritis and, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis. The compound disclosed preferably has a particle size of 1 to 40 microns, Beta energy emissions in the range of 1.76-1.84 MeV, low levels of gamma ray emissions and a radioactive half-life of 26.8 hours. The preferred metallic hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of Ferric Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Bismuth Hydroxide, Chromium Hydroxide, Cupric Hydroxide, Manganese Hydroxide and Stannous Hydroxide. Methods are also disclosed for the preparation of the compound, as well as for the methods of its administration to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation apparatus includes a disposable aerosol inhalation device for use in producing properly sized particles as a mist. The disposable device includes a nebulizer, a first conduit, a second conduit, a third conduit and a fourth conduit. Exhalation to an entrapping filter is effected via the third conduit which has a one-way valve therein. The first and second conduits respectively communicate with a baffled nebulizer and the ambient, a one-way valve being provided within the second conduit. A further one-way valve may be provided in the first conduit to prevent a subject from exhaling therethrough, while allowing the aerosol to pass out of the nebulizer. A further one-way valve may be provided in the fourth conduit to allow fluid communication from the second conduit and the first conduit into fourth conduit in one embodiment, while preventing fluid communication from the fourth conduit to the first and second conduits an to the nebulizer.

Abstract: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by administering a radioactive compound to the inflamed synovium of the articular joint. The compound comprises an aggregate suspension having a radionuclide entrapped therein. The aggregate suspension is a ferric or aluminum hydroxide aggregate, and the radionuclide is selected from the group consisting of .sup.166 Holmium, .sup.153 Samarium, .sup.175 Ytterbium, .sup.169 Erbium, and .sup.176m Lutetium. The radionculide may also consist of .sup.51 Chromium. Suitable leakage inhibitors or agents to reduce leakage of the radionuclide from the articular joint is included as part of the chemical composition of the final drug form.

Abstract: A radioactive aerosol inhalation apparatus includes a lead-shielded container, having a lid or cover, and a disposable aerosol inhalation device for use in producing properly sized radioactive tagged particles. The disposable device includes a mouthpiece or air passageway communicating means attached to a wye connector for inhalation of the radioactive aerosol and exhalation to an entrapping filter. First and second conduits are respectively provided by flexible tubing from a nebulizer and to the filter. The first and second conduits are interconnected by a third conduit. A one-way valve is provided in the second conduit to allow a subject to exhale therethrough, while preventing inhalation therethrough. A further one-way valve is provided in the third conduit to allow fluid communication from the second conduit to the first conduit, while preventing fluid communication from the first conduit and the nebulizer to the second conduit.

Abstract: A disposable aerosol inhalation device for use in producing properly sized radioactive tagged particles. A mouthpiece is attached to a wye connector containing a valving system for inhalation of the radioactive aerosol and exhalation to an entrapping filter. Conduits are respectively provided by flexible tubing to a nebulizer and to the filter. The optimum range of particle sizes is generated by producing an aerosol from the nebulizer having an internal baffle. For ease of handling and to minimize radiation exposures, an entry is provided to add radioactive solution directly into the baffled nebulizer. To further reduce radiation exposure, the baffled nebulizer and entrapping filter are housed in a leaded enclosure. A method, which may be carried out using the device and the leaded enclosure involves introducing radioactive solution into the nebulizer to generate an aerosolized mist containing radioactive tagged particles of less than substantially two microns.