The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 24, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 23, 2001
Terence R. Ellard, Seattle, WA (US);
Real World Design and Development Co., Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
The loading apparatus includes a tray assembly which receives radioactive seeds and spacer elements from containers thereof. The seeds and spacers move into a receiving portion of the apparatus. Guide wall assemblies are located between the wells in the tray assembly and a funnel opening which extends through the tray assembly at the front end thereof. Positioned beneath the funnel opening and removably attached to the tray assembly is a visualization and positioning assembly which has a vertical slot therein for receiving seeds and spacers. The seeds and spacers move by gravity through the funnel opening into the slot. A portion of the visualization assembly is transparent, permitting a visual inspection of the seed/spacer lineup in the slot. A control element at the lower end of the visualization assembly releases the seeds and spacers from the visualization member into a hollow needle located therebelow.