Patent ID: 8808157
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A device for assembling a strand of radioactive seeds, comprising: a carriage portion configured to receive a plurality of cartridges; a selector slidable relative to the longitudinal axis of the device, the selector being operable to select one of said cartridges; a track configured to receive a plurality of radioactive seeds, non-radioactive connectors, and non-radioactive spacers; an actuator configured to eject one of a seed, connector, and a spacer from said selected cartridge to said track; a lockout mechanism configured to prevent operation of the actuator when a selected cartridge is empty; a combiner slidable relative to the carriage portion, said combiner being operable to combine a plurality of seeds, connectors, and spacers into a single strand; and a stylet associated with said combiner, the stylet separate from the actuator, wherein the combiner comprises decoupling magnets to prevent application of excessive compression force that could result in rupturing at least one of the radioactive seeds, non-radioactive connectors, and non-radioactive spacers.