Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A radiation source for invasive medical treatment, such as intracoronary radiotherapy or other such intravascular radiotherapy, is described. The radiation source includes a thread extending longitudinally within a sleeve. The sleeve is a hollow circular cylinder, sealed at either end, made from a polyimide resin, and is configured such that it is sufficiently flexible enough to be used for intravascular radiotherapy. A plurality of laser-drilled holes are configured in an evenly spaced pattern along the sleeve, and promote uniform liquid evaporation from within the sleeve. The thread is comprised of twelve rayon filaments wound in a helical fashion, which extend longitudinally through the sleeve and are anchored in the seals at either end of the sleeve. A radioactive isotope is formed into a coating on surfaces within the sleeve. The coating is formed by introducing a drop of a liquid-borne radioactive isotope into contact with the sleeve such that capillary forces distribute the liquid throughout the sleeve, and evaporating the liquid to form a uniform plating of the isotope within the sleeve. The sleeve and thread include a coating of a surfactant to promote capillary action during the distribution of the liquid throughout the sleeve. During the formation of the sleeve, the sleeve and thread are wet and then dried, preshrinking them so as to avoid the sleeve's warping during later use.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim