Patent ID: 6379648
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A61K,A61P,C03C

Abstract:
A nonradioactive glass in particulate form adapted for radiation therapy in a mammal comprising a biodegradable rare earth-lithium borate glass material having a composition selected from the group consisting of:xRE2O3.(100âˆ’x)LiB3O5 xRE2O3.yLi2O.(100âˆ’xâˆ’y)B2O3 xRE2O3.yMgO.(100âˆ’xâˆ’y)LiB3O5 xRE2O3.yMgO.(100âˆ’xâˆ’y)Li2B8O13 xRE2O3.3MgO.5SiO2.yAl2O3.(92âˆ’yâˆ’x)Li2B8O13 wherein RE is a neutron activatable rare earth element which, upon being subjected to an effective amount of neutron irradiation, will produce a beta or gamma emitting radioisotope, said radioisotope being distributed throughout said glass material, x is the mole percent of RE2O3 and ranges between approximately 0.5 and 5 and y is the mole percent of Li2O, MgO or Al2O3 and the balance is a lithium borate material glass; wherein said lithium borate glass is substantially free of lithium-6 and boron-10; and wherein said glass upon being introduced into a body fluid for radiation therapy is adapted to react therewith causing said radioisotope to form an insoluble compound on the surface of said glass material which is retained in said glass material and thereby prevented from escaping from the treatment site.