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Abstract

The present invention provides methods and devices which use a palladium source enriched in Pd-102 and depleted in Pd-108 and Pd-110 to coat the body of a medical device. Whereas prior devices, which include palladium throughout the volume of the body, require the use of highly enriched palladium sources to counteract the effect of absorption of radiation by palladium and other metals in the body, devices wherein palladium is located primarily on the surface of the body more efficiently deliver therapeutic radiation to the target tissue, and thus can employ less highly enriched palladium sources. Such palladium sources are significantly less expensive than highly enriched sources, thereby greatly reducing the cost of devices and methods which use such a coating of palladium.

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First Claim