Patent ID: 6592508
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
A seed cartridge for holding a plurality of seeds for use with an implantation device having a seed alignment channel, a hollow needle and a moveable plunger that causes seeds within the device to pass through the hollow needle and be implanted within or adjacent to a target area located within a patient, the seed cartridge comprising:an elongated cylindrically-shaped core member having a seed conduit extending longitudinally therethrough, the seed conduit being adapted to retain the plurality of seeds in end-to-end aligned relation prior to feeding the seeds into the seed alignment channel of the implantation device; locking means adapted to releasably connect the core member to the implantation device so that the seed conduit is in aligned relation to and communication with the seed alignment channel of the implantation device; and an elongated seed advancement push rod slidably received within the seed conduit, the push rod being adapted to move longitudinally within the seed conduit to cause the seeds contained within the seed conduit to advance into the seed alignment channel of the implantation device from the seed cartridge, further comprising an elongated, cylindrically-shaped outer sleeve having a bore extending therethrough for receiving the core member.