IMPLANTS FOR USE IN BRACHYTHERAPY AND OTHER RADIATION THERAPY THAT RESIST MIGRATION AND ROTATION
In an embodiment a therapeutic member includes a single radioactive seed and is adapted to be implanted into patient tissue using a hollow needle. The seed includes a metallic housing with radioactive material contained within the metallic housing. A polymeric bio-adherent and/or bio-adhesive material surrounds at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed. The polymeric bio-adherent and/or bio-adhesive material reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation of the member.
1 . An implantable therapeutic member configured to be implanted in a similar manner as loose radioactive seeds are implanted, for use in brachytherapy, comprising:
a single radioactive seed including a metallic housing with radioactive material contained within the metallic housing; and
a polymeric bio-adherent material surrounding at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed;
wherein the implantable therapeutic member is adapted to be implanted into patient tissue using a hollow needle; and
wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material, which surrounds at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed, reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation of the member.
2 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material completely encapsulates the housing of the single radioactive seed.
3 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 2 , wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material is molded to completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed.
4 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 2 , wherein:
the single radioactive seed has a first length; and
the encapsulating polymeric bio-adherent material causes the implantable therapeutic member to have a second length that is greater than the first length.
5 . The therapeutic member of claim 1 , wherein the metallic housing of the single radioactive seed has a substantially smooth outer surface.
6 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material does not completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed.
7 . An implantable therapeutic member configured to be implanted in a similar manner as loose radioactive seeds are implanted, for use in brachytherapy, comprising:
a single radioactive seed including a metallic housing with radioactive material contained within the metallic housing; and
a polymeric bio-adhesive material surrounding at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed;
wherein the implantable therapeutic member is adapted to be implanted into patient tissue using a hollow needle; and
wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material, which surrounds at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed, reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation of the member.
8 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 7 , wherein the polymeric bio-adhesive material completely encapsulates the housing of the single radioactive seed.
9 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 8 , wherein the polymeric bio-adhesive material is molded to completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed.
10 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 8 , wherein:
the single radioactive seed has a first length; and
the encapsulating polymeric bio-adhesive material causes the implantable therapeutic member to have a second length that is greater than the first length.
11 . The therapeutic member of claim 7 , wherein the metallic housing of the single radioactive seed has a substantially smooth outer surface.
12 . The implantable therapeutic member of claim 7 , wherein the polymeric bio-adhesive material does not completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed.