Abstract: A radiation source wire member for radiotherapy indwelling in cancer-affected part of the body comprises an indwelling tip end portion having a radiation source of rhodium coil wire partially converted to 103Pd, and a filament connected to the indwelling portion, the filament having such a length that at least a rear end portion thereof is exposed outside the body after indwelling in the cancer-affected part. An apparatus for delivering the radiation source wire member to the cancer-affected part of the body has a catheter structure comprising (a) an outer tube having an inner diameter permitting the indwelling portion to pass through without resistance, and (b) an inner tube received in the outer tube movably back and forth therein and having an inner diameter not permitting the indwelling portion to pass through but permitting the filament to pass through without resistance.

Abstract: A general purpose radiotherapy device can be fabricated to net or near-net shape and then made radioactive in a single activation step. The device is made at least partially of a transmutable material which is transformable to a radioisotope-containing material upon activation by an accelerated beam of charged particles, such as protons, deuterons or alpha particles. The transmutable material is preferably rhodium and the radioisotope-containing material is preferably palladium-103.

Abstract: A flexible, continuous, axially elastic interstitial brachytherapy source is capable of elongating, shrinking and/or flexing in response to changes in the size and/or shape of a tumor, tumor bed, lesion or other tissue with which the source is in contact. In one embodiment, the source is in the form of a wire coil. The flexible and expandable/contractible nature of the source allows it to provide therapeutically effective treatment to dynamic tissue as it swells, shrinks and/or changes in shape.

Abstract: A brachytherapy device in the form of a radioactive coiled wire. The wire used to form the coil is typically between about 10 and 200 micrometers in diameter, and the coil formed from the wire has an outer diameter of between about 25 micrometers and about 1000 micrometers. The coil can be formed first from a wire and then made radioactive. Alternatively, the wire can be made radioactive first and then formed into a coil. Methods of incorporating a radioisotope into the wire or coil include, for example, nuclear transformation and ion implantation, which do not affect the flexibility and other mechanical properties of the coil. Thin radioisotope films can also be applied to the wire.

Abstract: A general purpose radiotherapy device can be fabricated to net or near-net shape and then made radioactive in a single activation step. The device is made at least partially of a transmutable material which is transformable to a radioisotope-containing material upon activation by an accelerated beam of charged particles, such as protons, deuterons or alpha particles. The transmutable material is preferably rhodium and the radioisotope preferably comprises palladium-103. The beam energy and device dimensions are selected so that energy from the beam in the range which is most likely to produce a desired transmutation reaction in the device is absorbed, while at least a portion of the energy which is insufficient to effect the desired transmutation reaction is not retained in the device.

Abstract: A general purpose implantable radiotherapy device for delivering a predetermined dose of radiation in a predetermined radiation pattern. The device includes a biocompatible template adapted for implantation at a treatment site in a patient, and one or more radiation sources which are incorporated directly into at least a portion of the template, preferably by ion implantation methods. The shape of the radiation pattern from the device is determined at least in part by the location and distribution of the radiation source or sources incorporated into the template, and not solely by the shape of the template. The device is suitable for a wide variety of radiotherapy applications.

Abstract: A surgical fastening device, such as a suture, staple, clip, pin or the like, is rendered therapeutically radioactive in order to inhibit cellular proliferation at a wound or surgical repair site, by implantation of a radioisotope into the material of the device. The device can be made of any material, including metals, nonmetals, plastics and ceramics.