PLASTIC BRACHYTHERAPY SOURCES

摘要

An implantable source (40) of therapeutic radiation for brachytherapy is provided as a sealed, biocompatible capsule (410) of plastic (e.g. polyethylene or PEEK) transparent to the radiation. The capsule contains a radiation source (400) comprising particles of a radioactive isotope (e.g. Pd<103>, I<125>, Cs<131>) in a fluid carrier that is resistant to radiation polymerization but solidifies at elevated temperature. It also has a marker (420), and desirably has a socket (430)which accommodates attaching spacers (660) and makes possible linear strands and planar arrays of the capsules. The spacers may be functional, e.g. heat-generating or medication-releasing.