BRACHYTHERAPY CARTRIDGE INCLUDING ABSORBABLE AND AUTOCLAVEABLE SPACER

摘要

The present invention is directed to a brachytherapy seed delivery syst em which includes a seed cartridge including a central channel, a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within the central channel and a plurality of absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers disposed within the central channel , wherein the absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers are interspersed betwee n the brachytherapy seeds. The present invention is further directed to a method o f loading a brachytherapy seed delivery system including the steps of: providi ng a seed cartridge including a central channel; placing at least two brachythera py seeds into the central channel of the seed cartridge; placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in the central channel between the brachytherapy seeds; connecting the brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula; and forcing the seeds out of the brachytherapy seed cartridge into the cannula. The present invention is further directed to an improved brachytherapy method including the steps of: providing a seed cartridge including a central channel; placing at least two brachytherapy seeds into the central channel of the seed cartridge; placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in the central channel between the brachytherapy seeds; connecting the brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula; forcing the seeds out of the brachytherapy seed cartridge into the cannula; inserting the brachytherapy needle into a human organ; and forcing the seeds and the spacer through the cannula and into the human organ.