Radioactive seed with multiple markers and method for using same
A radioactive seed which discloses the orientation and the location of the seed when the seed is exposed to X-ray photography is provided. The seed contains multiple X-ray detectable markers which will disclose the orientation and the location of the seed when the seed is exposed to X-ray photography. The seed can also have a single marker which wraps around the external surface of the seed or wraps around a carrier body within the seed. The single marker will also disclose the orientation as well as the location of the seed.
1. A radioactive seed for use in radiation therapy, the radioactive seed comprising:
a sealed housing having an internal cavity;
a plurality of separate carrier units disposed within, and distributed at one end of, the cavity, each said carrier unit being impregnated with a radioisotope as a radiation source; and
a plurality of X-ray detectable markers disposed within, and distributed at an opposing end of, the cavity, wherein the distribution of the plurality of X-ray markers reveals an orientation of the radioactive seed when the seed is exposed to an X-ray photography.
2. A system for providing radiation treatment to an affected tissue area, the system comprising:
(a) a plurality of first radioactive seeds, each of the first radioactive seeds including:
a sealed housing having an internal cavity;
at least one carrier body disposed within the cavity for maintaining a radioisotope, as a radiation source, in a distribution along a length of the cavity; and
a plurality of X-ray detectable markers distributed along the length of the cavity, at least two of the X-ray detectable markers being laterally separated from one another by at least one carrier body,
(b) a plurality of second radioactive seeds, each of the second radioactive seeds including:
a sealed housing having an internal cavity;
at least one carrier body disposed within the cavity for maintaining a radioisotope, as a radiation source, in a distribution along a length of the cavity; and
a plurality of X-ray detectable markers distributed along the length of the cavity, at least two of the X-ray detectable markers being adjacent to one another, and
(c) an implantation device to position the radioactive seeds in the affected tissue area,
wherein the distribution of the plurality of X-ray markers in each radioactive seed reveals an orientation of the radioactive seed in the affected tissue area when the tissue area is exposed to X-ray photography and wherein the first radioactive seeds have an X-ray signature which is distinguishable from an X-ray signature of the second radioactive seeds when the tissue area is exposed to X-ray photography.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the radiation source of the first radioactive seeds is different from the radiation source of the second radioactive seeds.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the radiation source of the first radioactive seeds is provided at a first dosage and the radiation source of the second radioactive seeds is provided at a second dosage different from the first dosage.