Patent ID: 6616593
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
An automnated cartridge for use in an automated system for low dose radioisotope procedures utilizing a plurality of implant needles, the automated cartridge comprising:a housing arrangement, the housing arrangement including structure that mates with structure of the automated system; a single selectively positionable member within the housing arrangement containing a plurality of chambers defined in the positionable member, each chamber being adapted to receive a seed, a spacer, or any combination thereof and the plurality of chambers being sufficient to contain the seeds and the spacers needed to load the plurality of implant needles; an aperture in the housing arrangement through which an elongated member selectively ejects radioisotope seeds from chambers in the positionable member when a given chamber it aligned with the aperture; and automated means for positioning the selectively positionable member in alignment with the aperture, wherein the housing arrangement substantially encloses the single selectively positionable member and the automated means to define the cartridge and the cartridge is a self contained drop-in unit for use with the automated system to load the plurality of implant needles.