Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an intraluminal prosthesis within a patient's body includes an inner sheath having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal inner sheath ends, and a nose cone connected to the distal inner sheath end. An intraluminal prosthesis sheath has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal intraluminal prosthesis sheath ends and a hollow intraluminal prosthesis sheath bore at least partially surrounding the inner sheath. A stopper is connected to the inner sheath at a location longitudinally spaced from the nose cone and extends radially between the inner sheath and the intraluminal prosthesis sheath. An annular intraluminal prosthesis space is defined radially between the intraluminal prosthesis sheath and the inner sheath and longitudinally between the stopper and the nose cone. A method for delivering an intraluminal prosthesis within a patient's body is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an intraluminal prosthesis within a patient's body includes an inner sheath having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal inner sheath ends. A nose cone is connected to the distal inner sheath end. An intraluminal prosthesis sheath has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal intraluminal prosthesis sheath ends and a hollow intraluminal prosthesis sheath bore at least partially surrounding the inner sheath. The intraluminal prosthesis sheath is adapted for movement relative to the inner sheath. A stopper is connected to the inner sheath at a location longitudinally spaced from the nose cone. The stopper extends radially between the inner sheath and the intraluminal prosthesis sheath. An annular intraluminal prosthesis space is defined radially between the intraluminal prosthesis sheath and the inner sheath and longitudinally between the stopper and the nose cone. The annular intraluminal prosthesis space is adapted to contain a compressed intraluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: The invention described herein comprises a method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by the presence of one or more tumors comprising inserting a miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source into said tumor(s) for a time sufficient to irradiate the cells of the tumor(s). The invention method can be employed in the treatment of both malignant and non-malignant tumors and is especially useful in the treatment of malignant tumors found in the brain, prostate, and other internal organs. A preferred neutron source is californium-252. The majority of the tumor can be surgically removed prior to insertion of the neutron emitting source. In a further embodiment of the invention, a neutron capture compound can be localized to the cells of the tumor prior to insertion of the miniaturized neutron emitting source in order to augment the effects of neutron therapy.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, A reinforced catheter is provided comprising an inner layer forming a catheter body, the body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a closed tip end, a middle reinforcing layer extending over the first inner layer to the distal end and an outer layer extending over the middle reinforcing layer. Additionally, a connector for coupling a catheter to an extension tube or afterloader is provided comprising a first half having a housing with at least one pair of opposing cutout portions of a first depth provided thereon, a second half slidably connectable with the first half and a biasing means for securing the second half within the housing.

Abstract: The invention described herein comprises a method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by the presence of one or more tumors comprising inserting a miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source into said tumor(s) for a time sufficient to irradiate the cells of the tumor(s). The invention method can be employed in the treatment of both malignant and non-malignant tumors and is especially useful in the treatment of malignant tumors found in the brain, prostate, and other internal organs. A preferred neutron source is californium-252. The majority of the tumor can be surgically removed prior to insertion of the neutron emitting source. In a further embodiment of the invention, a neutron capture compound can be localized to the cells of the tumor prior to insertion of the miniaturized neutron emitting source in order to augment the effects of neutron therapy.

Abstract: A neutron source for neutron brachytherapy is disclosed that may generate neutrons to treat cancer and other tumors. The neutron source in accordance with the invention may include a capsule into which the neutron emitting material is loaded and a guide wire. A coiled wire may be placed around the capsule and the guide wire to strengthen the capsule and guide wire. In accordance with one embodiment, the capsule containing the neutron emitting material is sufficiently thin so that the helium gas generated during the decay of the neutron emitting material may escape into the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, the neutron emitting material may be Californium (Cf225).

Abstract: The invention described herein comprises a method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by the presence of one or more tumors comprising inserting a miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source into said tumor(s) for a time sufficient to irradiate the cells of the tumor(s). The invention method can be employed in the treatment of both malignant and non-malignant tumors and is especially useful in the treatment of malignant tumors found in the brain, prostate, and other internal organs. A preferred neutron source is californium-252. The majority of the tumor can be surgically removed prior to insertion of the neutron emitting source. In a further embodiment of the invention, a neutron capture compound can be localized to the cells of the tumor prior to insertion of the miniaturized neutron emitting source in order to augment the effects of neutron therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote afterloader for moving a radiation source into and out of a catheter inserted in a tumor may include one or more radiation source cassettes, one or more motors, and a shielded container for storing the radiation source cassettes and the motor. Each radiation source cassette may include a radiation source wire having the radiation source connected to a treating end and a dummy source wire having a dummy source connected to a treating end. The motor advances and retracts the radiation source wire and the dummy source wire into and out of each radiation source cassette one at a time.

Abstract: A neutron source for neutron brachytherapy is disclosed that may generate neutrons to treat cancer and other tumors. The neutron source in accordance with the invention may include a capsule into which the neutron emitting material is loaded and a guide wire. A coiled wire may be placed around the capsule and the guide wire to strengthen the capsule and guide wire. In accordance with one embodiment, the capsule containing the neutron emitting material is sufficiently thin so that the helium gas generated during the decay of the neutron emitting material may escape into the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, the neutron emitting material may be Californium (Cf225).

Abstract: The invention described herein comprises a method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by the presence of one or more tumors comprising inserting a miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source into said tumor(s) for a time sufficient to irradiate the cells of the tumor(s). The invention method can be employed in the treatment of both malignant and non-malignant tumors and is especially useful in the treatment of malignant tumors found in the brain, prostate, and other internal organs. A preferred neutron source is califormium-252. The majority of the tumor can be surgically removed prior to insertion of the neutron emitting source. In a further embodiment of the invention, a neutron capture compound can be localized to the cells of the tumor prior to insertion of the miniaturized neutron emitting source in order to augment the effects of neutron therapy.

Abstract: A neutron source for neutron brachytherapy is disclosed that may generate neutrons to treat cancer and other tumors. The neutron source in accordance with the invention may include a capsule into which the neutron emitting material is loaded and a guide wire. A coiled wire may be placed around the capsule and the guide wire to strengthen the capsule and guide wire. In accordance with one embodiment, the capsule containing the neutron emitting material is sufficiently thin so that the helium gas generated during the decay of the neutron emitting material may escape into the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, the neutron emitting material may be Californium (Cf225).

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by a tumor performed by inserting a miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source into the tumor to irradiate the cells of the tumor. The method is useful in treating malignant and non-malignant tumors and is especially useful in the treating of tumors of the brain, prostate, cervix and other internal organs. A preferred neutron source is californium-252. The tumor may be surgically treated prior to insertion of the neutron emitting source. A neutron capture compound may be localized to the cells of the tumor prior to insertion of the source to augment the effects of neutron therapy.

Abstract: Flexible, crosslinked polymeric compositions providing transparent hydrogels having a refractive index in the dehydrated (dry) state of at least about 1.53 and having equilibrium water content of at least 40% by weight of the polymeric gel for use an expansile intraocular lenses for surgical implantation. The dehydrated polymeric compositions are capable of hydration by natural fluids present in the eye to expand about 180% after implantation and in the fully swollen state have refractive indices of at least 1.40. They are prepared by polymerizing a multicomponent monomeric mixture consisting essentially of from about 50 to 75% by weight vinyl pyrrolidone, from about 3.25 to 12.5% by weight of 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, from about 3.25 to 12.5% by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, from about 5 to 35% by weight of acrylamide and as a fifth component a crosslinking agent in an amount of from 1.