US5011677A — Radioactive glass microspheres

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

A radioactive microsphere for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising a biologically compatible glass material containing at least one beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope distributed substantially throughout the glass which emits a therapeutic intensity and amount of beta or gamma radiation, and a balance of elements selected from the group consisting of elements that do not become radioactive upon neutron irradiation and elements that have a half-like that is sufficiently short so that the elements do not emit a significant amount of beta or gamma radiation at the time of administration, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

A radioactive microsphere for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising a biologically compatible glass material containing at least one beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope distributed substantially throughout the glass which emits a therapeutic intensity and amount of beta or gamma radiation, and a balance of elements selected from the group consisting of elements that do not become radioactive upon neutron irradiation and elements that have a half-like that is sufficiently short so that the elements do not emit a significant amount of beta or gamma radiation at the time of administration, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said glass comprises an aluminosilicate glass.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said glass comprises an yttrium oxide-aluminosilicate glass.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said glass comprises a lead silicate glass.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 79 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said glass comprises an yttrium oxide-aluminosilicate glass having a composition lying substantially within a quadrilateral region of the ternary composition diagram of the yttria-alumina-silica system, the quadrilateral region being defined by its four corners having the following combination of weight Proportions of the components: 20% silica, 10% alumina, 70% yttria; 70% silica, 10% alumina, 20% yttria; 70% silica, 20% alumina, 10% yttria; and 20% silica, 45% alumina, 35% yttria.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 14 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said radioisotope comprises phosphorus-32.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said microsphere is selected from the group consisting of essentially void-free microspheres, microspheres having a hollow core and microspheres having a plurality of hollow cells.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said radioisotope having been formed by neutron irradiation of the microsphere.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said glass material is substantially free of elements having a cross-section for neutrons greater than about 200 barns.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 41 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope is selected from the group consisting of isotopes having a half-like greater than about 2 and less than about 30 days.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein the beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope is phosphorous-32.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 39 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein the balance of elements are selected from the group of elements consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, vanadium, manganese, gallium, niobium, iodine and lead.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 51 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said glass contains between about 50 and about 70 wt. % silica, between about 1 and about 17 wt. % alumina; between about 5 and about 9 wt. % magnesia; and between about 2 and about 10 wt. % phosphorus pentoxide.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 13 wherein said glass comprises a magnesium aluminosilicate glass.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 13 wherein said glass further comprises between about 7 and about 15 wt. % K 2 O.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 15 wherein said glass further comprises between about 2 and about 6 wt. % zirconia.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 14 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said radioisotope comprises yttrium-90.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 17 wherein said microsphere has a radiation density of about 2 Ci/gm.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 31 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said microsphere is substantially spherical in shape and has a diameter in the range of about 5 to about 75 micrometers.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 19 wherein the beta or gamma radiation emitting radioisotope comprises a radioisotope selected from the group consisting of yttrium-90 and phosphorous-32.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 43 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 1 wherein the balance of elements are selected from the group of elements consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, vanadium, manganese, gallium, niobium, iodine, lead, titanium, copper, germanium, and zirconium.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 21 wherein the beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope is phosphorous-32.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 56 words

A radioactive microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising a glass having phosphorous-32 or yttrium-90 distributed substantially through the glass, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 56 words

A radioactive microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising a glass having phosphorous-32 or yttrium-90 distributed substantially through the glass, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein said microsphere is selected from the group consisting of essentially void-free microspheres, microspheres having a hollow core and microspheres having a plurality of hollow cells.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein said glass comprises an aluminosilicate glass, an yttrium oxide-aluminosilicate glass, or a lead silicate glass.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein the microsphere has a diameter between about 5 and about 75 micrometers.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein the microsphere has a diameter between about 20 and about 30 micrometers.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein the microsphere has a hollow core or a plurality of hollow cells.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein the microsphere comprises phosphorus-32.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 62 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein said glass further comprises between about 50 and 70 wt. % silica, between about 1 and about 17 wt. % alumina, between about 5 and about 9 wt. % magnesia, between about 2 and about 10 wt. % phosphorous pentoxide, and between about 7 and about 15 wt. % K 2 O.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 30 wherein said glass further comprises between about 2 and about 6 wt. % zirconia.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 77 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 23 wherein the microsphere has a diameter between about 5 and about 75 micrometers, and contains phosphorous-32 or yttrium-90 and a balance of elements selected from the group consisting of elements that do not become radioactive upon neutron irradiation and elements that have a half-life that is sufficiently short so that the elements do not emit a significant amount of beta or gamma radiation at the time of administration.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 39 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 32 wherein the balance of elements are selected from the group of elements consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, vanadium, manganese, gallium, niobium, iodine and lead.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 43 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 32 wherein the balance of elements are selected from the group of elements consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, vanadium, manganese, gallium, niobium, iodine, lead, titanium, copper, germanium, and zirconium.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 22 words

A radioactive microsphere as set forth in claim 32 wherein the microsphere has a hollow core or a plurality of hollow cells.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of radiation therapy of a mammal comprising administering to said mammal microspheres comprising a glass material containing a beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microspheres to the mammal, the microspheres will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of radiation therapy of a mammal comprising administering to said mammal microspheres comprising a glass material containing a beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microspheres to the mammal, the microspheres will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein prior to administration the radioisotope has been formed by irradiation of the microsphere.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 61 words

A method of radiation therapy of a mammal comprising embedding in the capillary bed of the mammal's liver microspheres comprising a glass material containing a beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass, the microspheres having sufficient chemical durability so as to avoid the release of a significant amount of radiation emitting isotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 61 words

A method of radiation therapy of a mammal comprising embedding in the capillary bed of the mammal's liver microspheres comprising a glass material containing a beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass, the microspheres having sufficient chemical durability so as to avoid the release of a significant amount of radiation emitting isotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

A method as set forth in claim 38 wherein said isotope is yttrium-90.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 13 words

A method as set forth in claim 38 wherein said isotope is phosphorous-32.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as set forth in claim 38 wherein said microsphere has a diameter less than about 75 micrometers.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 84 words

A radioactive glass microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal, the glass microsphere comprising an yttrium oxide-aluminosilicate glass containing yttrium-90 and having a composition lying substantially within a quadrilateral region of the ternary composition diagram of the yttria-alumina-silica system, the quadrilateral region being defined by its four corners having the following combination of weight proportions of the components: 20% silica, 10% alumina, 70% yttria; 70% silica, 10% alumina, 20% yttria; 70% silica, 20% alumina, 10% yttria, and 20% silica, 45% alumina, 35% yttria.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 84 words

A radioactive glass microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal, the glass microsphere comprising an yttrium oxide-aluminosilicate glass containing yttrium-90 and having a composition lying substantially within a quadrilateral region of the ternary composition diagram of the yttria-alumina-silica system, the quadrilateral region being defined by its four corners having the following combination of weight proportions of the components: 20% silica, 10% alumina, 70% yttria; 70% silica, 10% alumina, 20% yttria; 70% silica, 20% alumina, 10% yttria, and 20% silica, 45% alumina, 35% yttria.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 59 words

A radioactive glass microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal having phosphorous-32 distributed substantially throughout the glass, the glass additionally containing between about 50 and 70 wt. % silica, between about 1 and about 17 wt. % alumina, between about 5 and about 9 wt. % magnesia, and between about 2 and about 10 wt. % phosphorous pentoxide.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 59 words

A radioactive glass microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal having phosphorous-32 distributed substantially throughout the glass, the glass additionally containing between about 50 and 70 wt. % silica, between about 1 and about 17 wt. % alumina, between about 5 and about 9 wt. % magnesia, and between about 2 and about 10 wt. % phosphorous pentoxide.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 98 words

A radioactive glass microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising, phosphorous-32 or yttrium-90 distributed substantially throughout the glass and a balance of elements selected from the group of elements consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, vanadium, manganese, gallium, niobium, iodine, lead, titanium, copper, germanium, and zirconium, the microsphere having a size between about 5 and about 75 micrometers and having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 98 words

A radioactive glass microsphere adapted for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising, phosphorous-32 or yttrium-90 distributed substantially throughout the glass and a balance of elements selected from the group of elements consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, vanadium, manganese, gallium, niobium, iodine, lead, titanium, copper, germanium, and zirconium, the microsphere having a size between about 5 and about 75 micrometers and having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 136 words

A biologically compatible radioactive glass microsphere for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising at least one beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope having a half-like greater than about 2 and less than about 30 days distributed substantially throughout the glass which emits a therapeutic intensity and amount of beta or gamma radiation, and a balance of elements selected from the group consisting of elements that do not become radioactive upon neutron irradiation and elements that have a half-like that is sufficiently short so that the elements do not emit a significant amount of beta or gamma radiation at the time of administration, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 136 words

A biologically compatible radioactive glass microsphere for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising at least one beta or gamma radiation emitting isotope having a half-like greater than about 2 and less than about 30 days distributed substantially throughout the glass which emits a therapeutic intensity and amount of beta or gamma radiation, and a balance of elements selected from the group consisting of elements that do not become radioactive upon neutron irradiation and elements that have a half-like that is sufficiently short so that the elements do not emit a significant amount of beta or gamma radiation at the time of administration, the microsphere having a chemical durability such that subsequent to administration of the microsphere to the mammal, the microsphere will not release a significant amount of the radiation emitting radioisotope into the mammal's system.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-04-29	1994-10-29	1995-04-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-04-29	1998-10-29	1999-04-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-04-29	2002-10-29	2003-04-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Radioactive glass microspheres

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