Nycomed Imaging As

Amersham Health As

Robert Hallgren

Kevin M Helle

Charles E Shanks

John Krewer

An apparatus for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules includes a welding station having a welding position for welding closed one end of a tube, a rotatable platform having an outside edge, a tube holder positioned adjacent the outside edge, the tube holder movable between a loading position and the welding position, and a feed line positioned in overlying registry with the tube holder at the loading position.

Welding method and apparatus

In a method for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules ( ), each tube is loaded into a holder ( ), brought to a welding station ( ), has one end welded closed and is then released from the holder ( ). A number of holders can 2 be arranged on the periphery of a rotatable member ( ), each holder being loaded with a tube at a first station, and then carrying the tube to a welding station ( ) and an ejection station ( ). The tubes can be loaded into the holders individually by means of an escapement mechanism ( ). The invention also extends to apparatus for carrying out the method.

Growing community of inventors

Lakemoor, IL, United States of America

Robert Hallgren