Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for maneuvering a radioactive implant through a human body, the apparatus comprising: (a) a guide member; (b) a radioactive implant; and (c) a wire member, wherein the implant is positioned in the guide member, the wire member is secured to the implant, and the guide member is secured to the wire member and the implant adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member, and the guide member is secured to the wire member at a plurality of points not adjacent the juncture of the wire member and the implant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for maneuvering a radioactive implant through a human body, the apparatus comprising: (a) a guide member; (b) a radioactive implant; and (c) a wire member, wherein the implant is positioned in the guide member, the wire member is secured to the implant, and the guide member is secured to the wire member and the implant adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member, and the guide member is secured to the wire member at a plurality of points not adjacent the juncture of the wire member and the implant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wire member is substantially equal in diameter to the implant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a core member comprising radioactive iridium, the core member being encased in a platinum sheath.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of securing a radioactive implant to a guide member to assure successful maneuvering of the implant through a human body, the process comprising the following steps: (a) securing a wire member to an end of a radioactive implant; (b) inserting the implant and the wire member into a guide member to a point so that the juncture between the implant and the wire member is surrounded by the guide member; (c) bonding the guide member to the implant and the wire member adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member; and (d) arc welding the guide member to the wire member at a plurality of points not adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of securing a radioactive implant to a guide member to assure successful maneuvering of the implant through a human body, the process comprising the following steps: (a) securing a wire member to an end of a radioactive implant; (b) inserting the implant and the wire member into a guide member to a point so that the juncture between the implant and the wire member is surrounded by the guide member; (c) bonding the guide member to the implant and the wire member adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member; and (d) arc welding the guide member to the wire member at a plurality of points not adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the implant comprises a core member encased in a platinum sheath, the core member comprising radioactive iridium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the wire member comprises stainless steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4, wherein step (a) comprises arc welding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of applying a bonding compound at the juncture of the implant and the wire member prior to inserting the implant and the wire member into the guide member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the bonding compound comprises cyanoacrylate ester and the bonding in step (c) is achieved by the use of cyanoacrylate ester.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the implant has a 0.1 mm iridium/platinum core and a 0.15 mm thick platinum sheath having an end thickness of 0.075 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the wire member and the implant are substantially equal in diameter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of removing a non-penetrable coating from the exterior of the guide member adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member prior to performing step (c).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of preparing and implanting a radioactive implant into a human body, the method comprising the steps of: (a) securing a wire member to an end of a radioactive implant; (b) positioning the implant and wire member within a flexible guide member; (c) bonding the guide member to the implant and the wire member adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member; (d) arc welding the guide member to the wire member at a plurality of points not adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member; and (e) maneuvering the guide member within a catheter means to an area of a human body.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of preparing and implanting a radioactive implant into a human body, the method comprising the steps of: (a) securing a wire member to an end of a radioactive implant; (b) positioning the implant and wire member within a flexible guide member; (c) bonding the guide member to the implant and the wire member adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member; (d) arc welding the guide member to the wire member at a plurality of points not adjacent the juncture of the implant and the wire member; and (e) maneuvering the guide member within a catheter means to an area of a human body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the implant comprises a radioactive core and a non-radioactive sheath encasing the core.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the radioactive core comprises iridium and the non-radioactive sheath comprises platinum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the step of securing the wire member to the implant comprises an arc welding process.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of applying a bonding compound at the juncture of the implant and the wire member prior to the introduction of the wire member and the implant into the flexible guide member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 13, wherein: the flexible guide member comprises a tightly wound wire and has flow spaces so that a bonding compound applied to the exterior of the guide member can penetrate the guide member for achieving a bond between the guide member and the implant and the wire member, and step (c) comprises applying a bonding compound to the exterior of the guide member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the bonding compound comprises cyanoacrylate ester.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of removal of an exterior, non-penetrable layer on the guide member prior to the application of the bonding compound thereto.