Abstract: An apparatus and method for administering a dose in brachytherapy procedures having a handheld housing containing a dose of radioactive seeds adapted for use in a brachytherapy treatment and a display for observing information about the dose and viewing the dose or components of the dose.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a first spacer component that serves to separate a plurality of implantation seeds. The first spacer component comprises an end portion that is configured to receive and hold any one of: a first one of the plurality of implantation seeds; and a second spacer component. The second spacer component comprises an end portion that is configured to receive and hold any one of: a second one of the plurality of implantation seeds; and a third spacer component.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a first spacer component that serves to separate a plurality of implantation seeds. The first spacer component comprises an end portion that is configured to receive and hold any one of: a first one of the plurality of implantation seeds; and a second spacer component. The second spacer component comprises an end portion that is configured to receive and hold any one of: a second one of the plurality of implantation seeds; and a third spacer component.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a terminus-spacer component that comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is configured to form a coupled connection with an implantation seed. The second end portion serves to terminate a string that comprises one or more spacer components that comprise the terminus-spacer component and one or more implantation seeds that comprise the implantation seed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for administering a dose in brachytherapy procedures comprising a handheld housing containing a dose of radioactive seeds adapted for use in a brachytherapy treatment and a display for observing information about the dose and viewing the dose or components of the dose.

Abstract: A dose distribution analyzer (20) and methods for providing a radiation dose map indicating energy of a spacially variable radiation pattern beamed onto a dose map radiation dosimeter (10). The radiation dosimeter (10) is exposed to a proposed spacially variable radiation pattern such as used in a phantom patient for patient radiation dose treatment verification. The dosimeter (10) is subsequently analyzed by the dose distribution analyzer (20). Such analyzer includes a phosphor stimulator (53), an image forming subsystem (38), and an image sensor (37). A dosimeter holder (32) holds the dosimeter near the phosphor stimulator (53). A system controller (22) is connected to receive image data from the image sensor (37) while the dosimeter (10) is stimulated. The controller (22) utilizes the image data to derive a radiation dose map which indicates the distribution of radiation in the spacially variable radiation pattern which strikes the dosimeter (10).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for remotely measuring radiation levels. Such are particularly useful for measuring relatively high levels or dosages of radiation being administered in radiation therapy. They are also useful for more general radiation level measurements where remote sensing from the remaining portions of the apparatus is desirable. The apparatus uses a beam generator, such as a laser beam, to provide a stimulating beam. The stimulating beam is preferably of wavelengths shorter than 6 microns, or more advantageously less than 2 microns. The stimulating beam is used to stimulate a remote luminescent sensor mounted in a probe which emits stored luminescent energy resulting from exposure of the sensor to ionizing radiation. The stimulating beam is communicated to the remote luminescent sensor via transmissive fiber which also preferably serves to return the emission from the luminescent sensor.