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:
May. 12, 2009
Filed:
Feb. 02, 2004
John J. Munro, Iii, North Andover, MA (US);
Matthew R. Hollows, Westminster, MA (US);
John J. Munro, III, North Andover, MA (US);
Matthew R. Hollows, Westminster, MA (US);
Best Medical International, Inc., Springfield, VA (US);
Abstract
Radioactive sources are manufactured for treating a tumor or cancerous area occurring around a conduit or duct in the body by emitting X-rays to destroy or reduce the tumors. The sources contain ytterbium which is substantially enriched inYtterbium and which is activated by exposure to neutron flux so as to contain a minor, but significant, fraction of X-ray and gamma-emittingYtterbium. The radioactiveYtterbium source is inserted through a catheter or applicator or needle to the site of the cancer where it is maintained in position for a period of time to reduce the occurrence of cancer. The ytterbium also acts as an X-ray-opaque marker to facilitate external visualization of the sources during their delivery to the treatment site. The sources are encased in a shell to prevent direct contact of the radioactive material with human tissue. This encapsulation may be formed by welding a pair of end caps to a tubular member.