Patent ID: 6582354
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An apparatus for loading radioactive seeds and spacers into a needle for use in the treatment of cancer in a localized portion of the body, comprising:a tray assembly for receiving radioactive seeds and spacers, the tray assembly including a funnel portion into which the received seeds and spacers can be moved by use of a moving member; a visualizing and positioning assembly for said seeds and spacers located beneath the funnel portion of the tray assembly, the visualizing assembly including a vertically oriented slot into which the seeds and spacers fall by gravity after being moved into the funnel portion, the visualizing assembly being partially transparent to permit a user to verify the arrangement of seeds and spacers in the slot; and a control element in the visualizing and positioning assembly, permitting release of the seeds and spacers into a hollow positioned vertically below the visualizing assembly to receive seeds and spacers therefrom which move by gravity into the needle when released from the visualizing assembly.