Radioactive source wire, apparatus and treatment methods

Abstract

Abstract A source wire (38) having a radioactive source (40) at its distal tip (45) is used to treat tissue at a target site within a patient's body by localized in vivo radiation. The source wire (38) is advanced to the target site along a pathway such as an implanted catheter (12) or a natural vessel or duct of the patient's body from a point external to the body. The source wire (38) may be a solid lead of substantially uniform thickness along its entire length, composed of nickel titanium alloy having desired characteristics including flexibility, springiness, slipperiness, mechanical strength and shape memory retention. Instead, the wire (38) may be a cable composed of multiple strands of substantially uniform thickness throughout the entire length of each strand. In either case, the distal end (45) of the overall wire (38) is tapered for ease of entry into the narrower portions of the pathway.

Inventors

• 👤 Anthony Bradshaw

Bibliographic Details