Abstract: An irradiation apparatus has at least one exchangeable radiation source that may be moved by means of a transport cable between at least one rest position and at least one irradiation position and a long-distance transport container for radiation sources to be exchanged. In order to reduce the danger of control errors, the rest position is located inside the long-distance transport container and the transport container forms or may form an integral part of the irradiation apparatus. For that purpose, interface elements are provided on the transport container and other parts of the irradiation apparatus. By winding and unwinding the transport cable on and from a feeding drum with a cable-receiving groove at least partially covered by a pressing strip, particularly thin transport cables may be used, so that the width of the pressing strip substantially corresponds to the width of the cable-receiving groove.

Abstract: A method and device for inserting radioactive radiation sources into applicators and for withdrawing the radiation source and depositing them in at least one shielded loading and/or storage station. To remove a radiation source from the loading and/or storage station a traction wire with a coupling effective in the direction of traction is advanced via a fork and a switch into the loading and/or storage station, coupled with the radiation source and withdrawn as far as a stop where it is uncoupled and the traction wire is withdrawn through the fork. To introduce the radiation source into the applicator, on the other hand, a thrust wire having a coupling effective only in the direction of thrust is brought via the fork up to the radiation source and, carrying the radiation source with it, is advanced via the switch into the applicator and withdrawn again leaving the source in the applicator.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for translatorily movable bodies that is made in one position, is arranged so that it can be broken, without external control, in another position. For this purpose the first body has a coupling element of permanently magnetic or magnetizable material, the second body has at least one complementary coupling element of permanently magnetic or magnetizable material, and a third body has a coupling element of permanently magnetic or magnetizable material cooperating with the second body. Arranged between the complementary coupling element of the second body and the coupling element of the third body that is a spacer which can be moved as desired between the working positions.