Abstract: A device for loading brachytherapy seeds and spacers into a sleeve. The device holds two or more seed or spacer cartridges of different radioactive species and dosage. The user rotates a selector for selecting a desired cartridge and, with each depression of a spring-biased plunger, pushes a seed or spacer into a channel in an inspection area. The process is repeated for the desired number and order of seeds and spacers in sequence to form a strand. The strand can be seen in the channel with the unaided eye through a transparent window. Once the strand is arranged as desired, it is pushed into a sleeve that is held in a removable sleeve holder. If desired, the end portions of the filled sleeve may be cut off using a sleeve cutter to shorten the filled sleeve. The filled sleeve is implanted into patient using a needle.

Abstract: A cradle made of radiation-shielding material holds one or more radioactive seeds. The cradle surrounds all but a portion of the seed, and the potion of the cradle that does not surround the seeds creates an aperture through which the radiation escapes the cradle. The cradle reflects and absorbs radiation from the seed, resulting in directional dosing toward diseased tissue and away from healthy tissue. In a preferred embodiment the cradle has four walls and a bottom, forming a cavity into which the seed is secured with biocompatible epoxy. The side opposite the bottom is typically open, but may instead be made of a material that is transparent to radiation. The cradle wall thickness, bottom thickness, and cavity height determine the direction, shape, and intensity of the radiation dispersion. Cradles may be attached to a biocompatible mesh to form a sheet with directional radiation.

Abstract: A device for loading brachytherapy seeds and spacers into a sleeve. The device holds two or more seed or spacer cartridges of different radioactive species and dosage. The user rotates a selector for selecting a desired cartridge and, with each depression of a spring-biased plunger, pushes a seed or spacer into a channel in an inspection area. The process is repeated for the desired number and order of seeds and spacers in sequence to form a strand. The strand can be seen in the channel with the unaided eye through a transparent window. The window is part of a hinged door that can be opened and the sequence of the seeds and spacers rearranged with forceps. Once the strand is arranged as desired, it is pushed into a sleeve in a removable sleeve holder. During radiation treatment, the filled sleeve is removed from the sleeve holder and implanted into patient.

Abstract: A device for loading brachytherapy seeds and spacers into a sleeve. The device holds two or more seed or spacer cartridges of different radioactive species and dosage. The user rotates a selector for selecting a desired cartridge and, with each depression of a spring-biased plunger, pushes a seed or spacer into a channel in an inspection area. The process is repeated for the desired number and order of seeds and spacers in sequence to form a strand. The strand can be seen in the channel with the unaided eye through a transparent window. The window is part of a hinged door that can be opened and the sequence of the seeds and spacers rearranged with forceps. Once the strand is arranged as desired, it is pushed into a sleeve in a removable sleeve holder. During radiation treatment, the filled sleeve is removed from the sleeve holder and implanted into patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for large scale production of cesium-131 (Cs-131) with low cesium-132 (Cs-132) content, where the Cs-131 is produced via barium-131 (Ba-131) decay. Uses of the Cs-131 produced by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for use in brachytherapy. Cesium-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating and purifying Cesium-131 (Cs-131) from Barium (Ba). Uses of the Cs-131 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cs-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating and purifying Yttrium-90 (Y-90) from Strontium-90 (Sr-90). In addition, a zirconium (Zr) clean-up step for the Y-90 is provided. Uses of the Y-90 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment. Y-90 is particularly useful in cell directed therapy, e.g., where the Y-90 is attached directly or indirectly to a targeting molecule such as an antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the recovery of cesium-131 (Cs-131) from barium (Ba) carbonate. Uses of the Cs-131 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cesium-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating and purifying Cesium-131 (Cs-131) from Barium (Ba). Uses of the Cs-131 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cs-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: This invention includes methods of fabricating brachytherapy implant seeds, methods of fabricating brachytherapy implant seed cores, and brachytherapy implant seeds independent of method of fabrication. In one implementation, a brachytherapy implant seed includes a sealed inorganic metallic cylinder having a radioactive core received therein. The radioactive core includes an inorganic amorphous silicate glass tube having an exterior surface extending axially along the tube. An inorganic crystalline ceramic coating is received on at least a portion of the inorganic amorphous glass tube exterior surface. The coating includes a therapeutic dose of radioactive material. A radiographic marker is received within the sealed inorganic metallic cylinder. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing Cesium-131 (Cs-131) as a dispersed radioisotope. Uses of the dispersed Cs-131 prepared by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cs-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the recovery of cesium-131 (Cs-131) from barium (Ba) carbonate. Uses of the Cs-131 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cesium-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing Cesium-131 (Cs-131) as a dispersed radioisotope. Uses of the dispersed Cs-131 prepared by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cs-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating and purifying Cesium-131 (Cs-131) from Barium (Ba). Uses of the Cs-131 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cs-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating and purifying Cesium-131 (Cs-131) from Barium (Ba). Uses of the Cs-131 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment, such as for the use in brachytherapy. Cs-131 is particularly useful in the treatment of faster growing tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating and purifying Yttrium-90 (Y-90) from Strontium-90 (Sr-90). In addition, a zirconium (Zr) clean-up step for the Y-90 is provided. Uses of the Y-90 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment. Y-90 is particularly useful in cell directed therapy, e.g., where the Y-90 is attached directly or indirectly to a targeting molecule such as an antibody.