Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an implantable, medical device having at least one radioactive metallic surface. The method comprises the steps of depositing a radioactive metal layer onto the surface of the device. The metal layer comprises a radioactive metal that emits beta particles and that has a half-life of between 2 hours and 7 days and a maximum beta energy of between 0.7 and 2.3 MeV. In one embodiment, the radioactive layer is deposited by electroplating the radioactive metal and a carrier metal onto the metallic surface. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of electroplating a second metallic layer comprising a barrier metal onto the radioactive metal layer. The present invention also provides an implantable medical device comprising a surface having a metallic surface comprising a radioactive metallic coating thereon. The coating comprises a radioactive layer comprising a radioactive metal that emits beta-particles.

Abstract: A method for preparing a radioactive, implantable, medical device is provided. The method involves depositing a layer of a radioactive metal that emits beta particles and that has a half-life of between 2 hours and 7 days and a maximum beta energy of between 0.7 and 2.3 MeV onto a metallic surface of the device. In one embodiment, the radioactive metal and a carrier metal are electroplated onto the metallic surface. In another embodiment, a second metallic layer comprising a barrier metal is electroplated onto the radioactive metal layer. A medical device having a metallic surface with a radioactive metallic coating thereon is provided. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a radioactive layer comprising a radioactive metal that emits beta-particles and that has a half-life of between 2 hours and 7 days and an energy level of from about 0.7 MeV to 2.3 MeV and a carrier metal. In another embodiment, the coating further comprises a second layer deposited on the radioactive layer.