Abstract: The radial dose function of an electronic x-ray brachytherapy source is flattened by filtering with transition metals in the fourth row of the periodic table, i.e. titanium through nickel. Titanium-walled applicator devices of small diameter, under 10 mm, and with wall thicknesses of about 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm, are disclosed. The walls can be of titanium or alloys thereof, providing adequate strength and flattening the radial dose function curve particularly for x-rays in an energy range of about 45 kV to 55 kV.

Abstract: Systems and methods collect and screen a biological material to facilitate its selection and use for therapeutic and/or research purposes. The systems and methods take into account both objective and semi-objective attributes manifest in a biological material, such as genetic, phenotypic, clinical, and genealogic attributes. The diverse array of the objective and semi-objective attributes enhances the level of confidence that the biological material can be best matched with a particular research or therapeutic purpose.

Abstract: An applicator for brachytherapy radiation avoids over-radiation in the distal axial direction from a source positioned in the applicator, by attenuating distal axial radiation which tends to over-radiate, causing a “hot spot” in tissue in the axial direction, when the radiation travels through air space in the lumen.