Theragenics Corporation

Anthony D Coon

Jack C White

Richard A Brauckman

Michael R Moody

Glenn A Dill

A catheter for the positioning of a radioactive material for therapeutic radiation treatment of the body is disclosed. The catheter includes a radioactive source positioned at the distal end thereof and is sufficiently flexible and strong to navigate in the body to the desired treatment location. The radioactive source may be provided to the catheter in a number of different ways. In one set of embodiments, the radioactive source is bonded to the inner or outer surface of the catheter body, a catheter attachment or a carrier positionable within the catheter body. In another set of embodiments, one of the catheter body, catheter attachment or carrier positionable within the catheter body includes a cavity within which the radioactive source is placed. In this set of embodiments, the radioactive source may be provided in a variety of different forms, depending upon the particular needs of the treatment method. The radioactive source may also be immobilized in a polymeric material such as an elastomer, gel, hydrogel, foam or other similar deformable material. Finally, the catheter body or carrier may include a removable portion which provides access to the cavity within which the radioactive source is housed.

Catheter attachment and catheter for brachytherapy

A dual lumen catheter system for the positioning of a radioactive material for therapeutic radiation treatment of the body is disclosed. The dual lumen catheter includes a guidewire lumen and a blind lumen provided for introduction of a radiation source wire. The dual lumen catheter provides the advantage that the radiation source wire does not contact body tissue thereby eliminating the need for sterilization of the wire for reuse. Also disclosed are a radiation source wire having a tapered distal end of the wire core such that radioactive material and other components of the source wire can be applied to the outer surface thereof without exceeding a predetermined maximum outside diameter. Also disclosed is a source train cask for use with the catheter system and radiation source wire of the invention. The source train cask permits convenient handling and feeding of the radiation source wire without exposure of the medical personnel to radiation.

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Suwanee, GA, United States of America

Anthony D Coon