US3866050A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remotely controlled brachytherapy unit
Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
•
Filing: 1973-11-09
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is provided whereby a point or elongate radioactive source is introduced into the body of a patient and a source is subsequently oscillated whereby the spacial distribution of radioactivity can be varied to give spherical, oblate spheroidal or cigar-shaped configuration. The invention further contemplates arcuate oscillation in addition to linear oscillation.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Whitfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:27
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21K; G21K5/00; G21K5/10; A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; A61N5/1007; G21F; G21F5/00; G21F5/02; G21F5/04; A61N2005/1008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of selectively distributing the radioactive emission from a source disposed to irradiate a given volume of material in a predetermined pattern in the body of a patient, comprising the steps of: disposing a source in a selected position in the body of a patient, oscillating said source about said selected position for a selected period of time, and enclosing the source ina container which is fixed relative to said body of said patient wherein the distribution of radioactive emission is non-spherical.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of selectively distributing the radioactive emission from a source disposed to irradiate a given volume of material in a predetermined pattern in the body of a patient, comprising the steps of: disposing a source in a selected position in the body of a patient, oscillating said source about said selected position for a selected period of time, and enclosing the source ina container which is fixed relative to said body of said patient wherein the distribution of radioactive emission is non-spherical.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of automatically withdrawing said source away from said body of said patient to a non-radiation positin immediately following cessation of the oscillation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of utilizing the force of gravity to automatically withdraw said source away from said body to a non-irradiation position immediately following cessation of the oscillation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said distribution of emission is substantially oblate spheroidal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said distribution of emission is substantially cigar-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said source comprises a single pellet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said source comprises a plurality of pellets of substantially equal source-strength.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said source comprises a plurality of pellets of diffusing source-strengths.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of selectively distributing the radioactive emission from a source disposed to irradiate a given volume of material, comprising the steps of: disposing a source in a selected position relative to a volume, oscillating said source about said selected position for a selected period of time, and enclosing the source in a container which is fixed relative to said volume wherein the distribution of radioactive emission is non-spherical.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of selectively distributing the radioactive emission from a source disposed to irradiate a given volume of material, comprising the steps of: disposing a source in a selected position relative to a volume, oscillating said source about said selected position for a selected period of time, and enclosing the source in a container which is fixed relative to said volume wherein the distribution of radioactive emission is non-spherical.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 9, including the additional step of automatically withdrawing said source away from said volume to a non-irradiatiOn position immediately following cessation of the oscillation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 9, including the additional step of utilizing the force of gravity to automatically withdraw said source away from said volume to a non-irradiation position immediately following cessation of the oscillation. position immediately following cessation of the oscillation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said distribution of emission is substantially oblate spheroidal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said distribution of emission is substantially cigar-shaped.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said source comprises a single pellet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said source comprises a plurality of pellets of substantially equal source-strength.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said source comprises a plurality of pellets of diffusing source-strengths.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3426196A
Cited
US3669093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |