Abstract: A radio-nuclear material delivery system includes: a body; at least one catheter including a portion arranged within the body and extending along a longitudinal length of the body, each catheter including a blind lumen in which a radioactive material is insertable; and a shield arranged on an exterior of the body and movable along the body in a longitudinal direction of the catheter. The shield may be made of a tungsten material, e.g., coated with titanium nitride, for attenuating radiation from the nuclear material and controlling dosing of radiation for treatment of, e.g., breast cancer.

Abstract: A radio-nuclear material delivery system includes: a body; at least one catheter including a portion arranged within the body and extending along a longitudinal length of the body, each catheter including a blind lumen in which a radioactive material is insertable; and a shield arranged on an exterior of the body and movable along the body in a longitudinal direction of the catheter. The shield may be made of a tungsten material, e.g., coated with titanium nitride, for attenuating radiation from the nuclear material and controlling dosing of radiation for treatment of, e.g., breast cancer.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for use in a medical instrument, for example, a radioactive seed applicator, includes a housing, a cartridge, a seed plunger and a spring element. The housing is formed of a material adapted to shield transmission of radioactive energy.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for use in a medical instrument, for example, a radioactive seed applicator, includes a housing, a cartridge, a seed plunger and a spring element. The housing is formed of a material adapted to shield transmission of radioactive energy.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for use in a medical instrument, for example, a radioactive seed applicator, includes a housing, a cartridge, a seed plunger and a spring element. The housing is formed of a material adapted to shield transmission of radioactive energy.

Abstract: A template for surgically implanting needles into a patient's body. A support backing of the template specifically angled and curved to conform to a body structure to provide stability in the relative positions between the body and the template. The template further having a locking mechanism to hold needles in place after they have been inserted into the body structure, the locking mechanism utilizing a channel to guide a floating plate in vertical motion with respect to a contiguous stationary plate. When force is applied to the floating plate, the relative motion of the plates puts a locking force on the needles which run through holes in the two contiguous plates. A hollow protective covering to be mounted over the front face of the template to protect the ends of the needles that have been inserted through the template and into the patient.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for implanting seeds at variably spaced locations in a patient's body. The applicator includes a needle insertable into the body, a base member adapted to be maintained generally stationary with respect to a surface of the body during use, and a needle chuck, which is slidably mounted with respect to the base member, for releasably coupling the needle. The applicator also includes a seed magazine mounted on the needle chuck for dispensing seeds into the needle bore, a stylet extendable through the needle bore for forcing seeds in the bore into the patient's body, and a barrel attached to the needle chuck. The barrel includes five rows of spaced indentations. The indentations in each row are generally equally spaced from adjacent indentations in that row, and the indentation spacing in each row is different from other rows.