RADIATION SOURCE FOR ENDOVASCULAR RADIATION TREATMENT IN FORM OF A WIRE

摘要

The present invention relates to a radioactive radiation source in form of a wire comprising a matrix of a ductile and/or plastic bindermaterial and a radioactive and/or activatable material. Preferably the elastic bindermateri al is a metal, a metal alloy or a radiation resistant plastic material or mixtu re thereof. The radioactive or then activated activatable material is a .beta.- emitter, a .gamma.-emitter or x-ray emitter. The source may further comprise a means for containment. The radioactive radiation source of the invention is preferably used in intravascular radiation treatment e.g. to treat cancer, tumours, non-malign cell growth, or scar tissue or to prevent restenosis.