UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  FORM 10-Q
  x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the quarterly period ended October 4, 2009
  or
  o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the transition period from __________ to __________
  Commission File No. 001-14339
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION®
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 Delaware
58-1528626(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employerincorporation or organization)
Identification Number)5203 Bristol Industrial WayBuford, Georgia
30518(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
  Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 271-0233
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for at least the past
90 days. YES x   NO o
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to submit and post such files).  YES o   NO o
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 Large Accelerated Filer  oAccelerated Filer  xNon Accelerated Filer  oSmaller Reporting Company x
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o   NO x
 
 As of November6, 2009 the number of shares of $0.01 par value common stock outstanding was 33,461,752.
 
 
 
 
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 Page No.PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATIONITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – October 4, 2009 and December 31, 2008

3Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008

5Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008

6Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended October 4, 2009

8Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

20ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

32ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

32PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

32ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

32ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

33ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

34SIGNATURES

35
  2
  PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  Item 1. Financial Statements
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
 ASSETSOctober 4,
2009
(Unaudited)


December 31,
2008CURRENT ASSETSCash and cash equivalents

$
46,889


$
39,088Marketable securities


-



1,507Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $428 in 2009 and $481 in 2008


9,386



8,532Inventories


12,131



11,667Deferred income tax asset


1,264



2,158Refundable income taxes


143



1,504Prepaid expenses and other current assets


610



1,129TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS


70,423



65,585Property and equipment, net


31,528



30,035Customer relationships, net


11,119



12,742Other intangible assets, net


5,208



5,978Other assets


86



7916,413



18,799TOTAL ASSETS

$
118,364


$
114,419
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
  3
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - Continued
 (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
 LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYOctober 4,
2009
(Unaudited)


December 31,
2008CURRENT LIABILITIESTrade accounts payable

$
2,066


$
1,437Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes


2,837



1,968Short-term borrowings


3,333



32,000Income taxes payable


1,147



209Other current liabilities


1,343



1,896TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES


10,726



37,510LONG-TERM LIABILITIESLong-term borrowings


27,556



-Deferred income taxes


1,588



2,006Decommissioning retirement liability


683



646Other long-term liabilities


613



147TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES


30,440



2,799COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESSHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYCommon stock, authorized 100,000 shares of $0.01 par value, issued and outstanding, 33,456 in 2009 and 33,243 in 2008


335



332Additional paid-in capital


73,302



72,894Retained earnings


3,561



884TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY


77,198



74,110TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$
118,364


$
114,419
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
  4
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
 (UNAUDITED)
 (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
 Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008REVENUEProduct sales

$
19,036


$
17,914


$
58,772


$
48,545License and fee income


308



192



868



71019,344



18,106



59,640



49,255COST OF SALES


10,783



10,292



33,235



25,534GROSS PROFIT


8,561



7,814



26,405



23,721OPERATING EXPENSESSelling, general & administrative


5,607



5,608



17,145



15,578Amortization of purchased intangibles


853



683



2,595



1,620Research & development


521



373



1,712



667Change in estimated value of asset held for sale


-



-



-



(142
)Loss (gain) on sale of equipment


1



(8
)


3



(5
)6,982



6,656



21,455



17,718EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS


1,579



1,158



4,950



6,003NON-OPERATING INCOME/(EXPENSE)Interest income


6



173



23



929Interest expense


(362
)


(241
)


(647
)


(518
)Other


2



209



1



145(354
)


141



(623
)


556EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES


1,225



1,299



4,327



6,559Income tax expense


426



658



1,650



2,644NET EARNINGS

$
799


$
641


$
2,677


$
3,915NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:Basic

$
0.02


$
0.02


$
0.08


$
0.12Diluted

$
0.02


$
0.02


$
0.08


$
0.12WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARESBasic


33,161



33,000



33,136



33,089Diluted


33,244



33,139



33,208



33,237
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
  5
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (UNAUDITED)
 (Amounts in thousands)
 Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIESNet earnings

$
2,677


$
3,915Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:Depreciation and amortization


5,185



3,944Fair value adjustment from acquired inventory


-



490Deferred income taxes


476



2,616Provision for allowances


(94
)


(1
)Share based compensation


397



481Change in estimated value of asset held for sale


-



(142
)Other non-cash items


116



(190
)Changes in assets and liabilities:Accounts receivable


(894
)


(251
)Inventories


(330
)


(818
)Prepaid expenses and other current assets


519



(596
)Other assets


(7
)


11Trade accounts payable


629



(17
)Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes


869



149Income taxes payable


2,299



(867
)Other current liabilities


(597
)


595Other liabilities


392



49Net cash provided by operating activities


11,637



9,368CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIESCash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired


-



(45,518
)Purchases and construction of property and equipment


(4,019
)


(1,269
)Proceeds from sale of equipment


-



1,576Purchases of marketable securities


-



(8,000
)Maturities of marketable securities


500



5,859Proceeds from sales of marketable securities


1,005



14,411Net cash used by investing activities


(2,514
)


(32,941
)
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
  6
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Continued
 (UNAUDITED)
 (Amounts in thousands)
 
 Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIESProceeds from long-term debt


-



24,500Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan


21



23Retirement of common stock


(7
)


(691
)Loan fees paid on long-term debt


(225
)


-Repayment of borrowings


(1,111
)


-Net cash (used) provided in financing activities


(1,322
)


23,832NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

$
7,801


$
259CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD


39,088



28,666CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

$
46,889


$
28,925Supplementary cash flow disclosure:Interest paid

$
630


$
454Taxes paid (received), net

$
(1,125
)

$
2,263Non-cash transactions:Termination of lease underlying contract termination liability

$
-


$
1,498
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
  7
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 4, 2009
 (UNAUDITED)
 (Amounts in thousands)
 Common StockNumber
of


Par
Value


Additional
Paid-in


RetainedShares


Amount


Capital


Earnings


TotalBALANCE, December 31, 2008


33,243


$
332


$
72,894


$
884


$
74,110Employee stock purchase plan


21



-



21



-



21Issuance of restricted shares


166



2



(2
)


-



-Restricted units and restricted shares forfeited


(31
)


-



-



-



-Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted units


64



1



(1
)


-



-Retirement of common stock surrendered


(7
)


-



(7
)


-



(7
)Share based compensation


-



-



397



-



397Net earnings for the period


-



-



-



2,677



2,677BALANCE, October 4, 2009


33,456


$
335


$
73,302


$
3,561


$
77,198The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
  8
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
 The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included herein reflect the consolidated operations of Theragenics Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  The terms“Company”,“we”,“us”,
or“our”mean Theragenics Corporation and all entities included in our consolidated financial statements.All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These statements reflect all adjustments that are, in our opinion, necessary
to present fairly the consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, consolidated cash flows and consolidated changes in shareholders’ equity for the periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements.  Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for reporting on Form 10-Q, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes for
the year ended December 31, 2008, included in the Form 10-K Annual Report filed by us. The December 31, 2008 condensed consolidated balance sheet included herein has been derived from the December 31, 2008 audited consolidated balance sheet included in the aforementioned Form 10-K.  The consolidated results of operations for the period ended October 4, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.
 
 We are a medical device company serving the surgical products and cancer treatment markets, operating in two business segments. Our surgical products business consists of wound closure, vascular access, and specialty needle products.  Wound closure includes sutures, needles, and other surgical products.  Vascular access
includes introducers, guidewires, and related products.  Specialty needles include coaxial, biopsy, spinal and disposable veress needles, access trocars, and other needle based products.  Our surgical products segment serves a number of markets and applications, including among other areas, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, dental surgery, urology, veterinary medicine, pain management, endoscopy, and spinal surgery. Our brachytherapy
seed business manufactures and markets our premier brachytherapy product, the palladium-103 TheraSeed®device, and I-Seed, an iodine-125 based device, which are used primarily in the minimally invasive treatment of localized prostate cancer.
 
 On July 28, 2008, we completed the acquisition of NeedleTech Products, Inc. (“NeedleTech”).  NeedleTech is a manufacturer of specialty needles and related medical devices, and a part of our surgical products segment.  See Note C, Acquisition of NeedleTech
Products, Inc.
 
 NOTE B – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
  Effective July 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) codified accounting literature into a single source of authoritative accounting principles, except for certain authoritative rules and interpretive releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Since the codification did not alter existing U.S.
GAAP, it did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. All references to pre-codified U.S. GAAP have been removed from these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 In April 2008, the FASB issued guidance on the determination of the useful life of intangible assets.  The intent of this guidance is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset.  We adopted this
guidance effective January 1, 2009. This adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 In March 2008, the FASB issued guidance that seeks to improve financial reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures regarding a company’s hedging strategies, the impact on financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  This guidance was effective on January 1,
2009 and applicable to us in May 2009 when we entered into two interest rate swap agreements.  As this guidance only required enhanced disclosures, the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
  9
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding interim disclosure about the fair value of financial instruments. This guidance requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods and annual financial statements. We adopted this guidance effective for the three months ending July 5, 2009.  As
this guidance only required enhanced disclosures, the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding subsequent events.  This guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but prior to the issuance of the financial statements.  It also requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events
were evaluated and the basis for that date.  We adopted this guidance effective for the three months ending July 5, 2009.  We reviewed events for inclusion in the financial statements through November 13, 2009, the date that the accompanying financial statements were issued.  As this guidance only required enhanced disclosures, the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 NOTE C – ACQUISITION OF NEEDLETECH PRODUCTS, INC.
  We acquired all of the outstanding common stock of NeedleTech on July 28, 2008.  The total purchase price, including transaction costs, was approximately $44.1 million (net of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities acquired with an estimated fair value of approximately $5.8 million).  We paid the purchase
price in cash, including $24.5 million from borrowings under our credit facility.  NeedleTech is a manufacturer of specialty needles and related medical devices.  NeedleTech’s current products include coaxial needles, biopsy needles, access trocars, brachytherapy needles, guidewire introducer needles, spinal needles, disposable veress needles, and other needle based products.  End markets served include cardiology, orthopedics, pain management, endoscopy, spinal surgery, urology,
and veterinary medicine.  This transaction further diversified our surgical products business and leverages our existing strengths within these markets. The acquisition of NeedleTech was designed to forward our stated strategy of becoming a diversified medical device manufacturer, increase our breadth of offerings to existing customers, and expand our customer base of large leading-edge original equipment manufacturers.
  We accounted for the acquisition of NeedleTech under the purchase method of accounting, in accordance with guidance issued by the FASB related to business combinations. The purchase price was allocated based on the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, with the excess of the purchase price
over the fair value of the net assets acquired recorded as goodwill.  Results of operations of NeedleTech are included subsequent to the acquisition date.
 
 Pro Forma Information
 
 The following unaudited pro forma summary combines our results with those of NeedleTech as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each of the period presented.  This unaudited pro forma information is not intended to represent or be indicative of our consolidated results of operations that would have been reported
for the period presented had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of each of the periods presented, and should not be taken as indicative of our future consolidated results of operations (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedSeptember 28, 2008


September 28, 2008Revenue

$
19,311


$
59,316Net earnings

$
408


$
4,007Earnings per shareBasic

$
0.01


$
0.12Diluted

$
0.01


$
0.12
  Certain pro forma adjustments have been made to reflect the impact of the purchase transaction, primarily consisting of amortization of intangible assets with determinate lives, reductions in interest income as a result of cash used in the acquisition, increases in interest expense resulting from borrowings under our credit facility and
income taxes to reflect our effective tax rate for the period.  Pro forma net earnings for the nine months ended September 28, 2008 includes non-recurring pre-tax charges of $885,000 for amortization of the fair market value adjustments for inventory and backlog.
  10
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
 
 NOTE D - INVENTORIES
 
 Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or weighted average cost method, which approximates FIFO.
Market is replacement cost or net realizable value. We estimate reserves for inventory obsolescence based on our judgment of future realization. Inventories were comprised of the following (in thousands):
 October 4,
2009


December 31,
2008Raw materials

$
4,926


$
5,024Work in process


3,661



3,054Finished goods


3,104



3,488Spare parts and supplies


1,053



84812,744



12,414Allowance for obsolete inventory


(613
)


(747
)$
12,131


$
11,667
 
 NOTE E - TRADENAMES
 
 At December 31, 2008, we determined that current facts and circumstances no longer supported an indefinite life for our tradenames intangible asset.  In considering all of the facts and circumstances at that time, including the increased risk associated with our businesses as perceived by investors, the distressed general equity
and credit markets, especially as these factors relate to smaller companies such as ours, and the significant economic uncertainties caused by the worsening overall economic conditions, we concluded that an indefinite life for our tradenames intangible assets was no longer supportable.  We also considered changes to our terminal value assumptions in our estimate of fair value for each reporting unit, which affected assumptions beyond year 10 in our cash flow forecasts.  Accordingly, we estimated
that the remaining useful life of the recorded amount of our tradenames was 10 years, and we began to amortize tradenames over 10 years beginning in 2009. Prior to December 31, 2008, we estimated that our tradenames intangible assets had indeterminate lives and, accordingly, were not subject to amortization. Amortization expense related to our tradenames was $81,000 in the third quarter of 2009 and $243,000 for the first nine months of 2009 and is expected to be $324,000 for the year ending December 31, 2009.  Periods
prior to this change will not be restated or retrospectively adjusted.
 
 NOTE F – CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
 In May 2009, we executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a financial institution.  The Credit Agreement provides for up to $30 million of borrowings under a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a $10 million term loan (the “Term Loan”).  The
Revolver matures on October 31, 2012 with interest payable at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.25%.  Maximum borrowings under the Revolver can be increased to $40 million with the prior approval of the financial institution under an accordion feature.  The Revolver also provides for a $5 million sub-limit for trade and stand-by letters of credit.  Letters of credit totaling $946,000, representing decommission funding required by the Georgia Department
of Natural Resources, were outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of October 4, 2009. The Term Loan is payable in thirty-six equal monthly installments of principal plus interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%, commencing July 1, 2009.  The Credit Agreement is unsecured, but provides for a lien to be established on substantially all of our assets upon certain events of default.  The Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties, as well as affirmative, reporting and negative covenants
customary for financings of this type.  Among other things, the Credit Agreement restricts the incurrence of certain additional debt and certain capital expenditures, and requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a maximum liabilities to tangible net worth ratio, and the maintenance of minimum liquid assets of $10 million, as all such ratios and terms are defined in the Credit Agreement.  We were in compliance with all covenants
at October 4, 2009.  This Credit Agreement amended and restated our prior credit agreement, which was scheduled to mature on October 31, 2009 and provided for a $40 million revolving loan and letter of credit commitment.
 
  11
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  Future maturities under our Credit Agreement for each of the twelve months following October 4, 2009 are as follows:
 
 2010


2011


2012


TotalTerm loan

$
3,333


$
3,333


$
2,223


$
8,889Revolver


-



-



22,000



22,000Total

$
3,333


$
3,333


$
24,223


$
30,889
 In May 2009 we also entered into certain interest rate swap agreements to manage our variable interest rate exposure.  We entered into a floating to fixed rate swap with respect to the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan, at a fixed interest rate of 3.27%, and a separate floating to fixed rate swap with respect to $6 million of the principal amount
outstanding under the Revolver, at a fixed interest rate of 4.26%.  Both interest rate swaps expire on June 1, 2012.  Our weighted average effective interest rate at October 4, 2009 was 3.1%.
 
 NOTE G – SHARE BASED COMPENSATION
  Stock Options
  The following is a summary of activity in stock options outstanding during the first nine months of 2009 (shares and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
  Shares

Weighted
average
exercise
price

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life (yrs)

Aggregate
intrinsic
valueOutstanding, beginning of period

1,396

$
7.15Granted

334


.94Exercised

--


--Forfeited

(152
)

4.44Expired

(290
)

8.77Outstanding, end of period

1,288

$
4.77

5.2

$
116Exercisable at end of period

808

$
6.25

2.9

$
--
 
 The weighted average grant date fair value of the stock options issued in 2009 was $0.58 per share and was estimated using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model using the following assumptions:
 
 Expected dividend yield
0.0%Expected volatility
60.7%Risk-free interest rate
2.7%Expected life
7 years
 
 Expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price over the most recent period commensurate with the expected option life. Whendetermining the expected life of stock options, we classify options into groups for employees where
relatively homogeneous exercise behavior is expected. The vesting period of the options, the length of time similar grants have remained outstanding in the past, and the expected volatility of the stock are also considered. These factors may cause the expected volatility and expected life of options granted to differ from period to period.
 
 We recognize compensation expense for option awards with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award. Compensation cost related to stock options totaled $27,000 and $165,000 for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, respectively, and $36,000 and $192,000
for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, respectively.  As of October 4, 2009 there was approximately $256,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.  No stock options were exercised during the nine months ended October 4, 2009 or September 28, 2008.
 
 12
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  Restricted Stock
  A summary of activity in non-vested restricted stock awards during the first nine months of 2009 follows (shares in thousands):
  Shares


Weighted
average grant
date fair valueNon-vested at January 1, 2009


231


$
3.70Granted


166



.94Vested


(79
)


3.63Forfeited


(31
)


2.43Non-vested at October 4, 2009


287


$
2.34
 
 Fair value of restricted shares granted to employees and directors is based on the fair value of the underlying common stock at the grant date.  The fair value of the restricted stock granted to non-employees is remeasured each period until they are vested based on the fair value of the underlying common stock. Compensation expense
related to restricted stock totaled approximately $72,000 and $228,000 for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, respectively, and $68,000 and $290,000 for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, respectively. As of October 4, 2009, there was approximately $277,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to the restricted shares, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.  The total fair value of restricted stock vested was approximately
$289,000 and $226,000 for the nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008, respectively.
 
 Stock Units
 
 As a result of forfeitures, a benefit related to stock units for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008 was approximately $36,000 and $5,000, respectively.  All outstanding stock units were vested on December 31, 2008, and there has been no activity in stock units in 2009 other than the issuance of 64,000 shares of
common stock in 2009 following the vesting on December 31, 2008.
 
 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
 The Theragenics Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) allows eligible employees the right to purchase common stock on a quarterly basis at the lower of 85% of the market price at the beginning or end of each quarterly offering period. Compensation
cost related to the ESPP totaled approximately $1,000 and $4,000 for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, respectively, and $1,000 and $4,000 for the three and nine months September 28, 2008, respectively.  As of October 4, 2009, there were no remaining shares available for issuance under the ESPP.
 
 NOTE H - DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS
 
 Distribution Agreement
 
 Our brachytherapy seed business sells our TheraSeed® device directly to health care providers and to third party distributors.  Our primary non-exclusive distribution agreement is with C. R. Bard (“Bard”) (the “Bard Agreement”).
The terms of the Bard Agreement provide for automatic one year extensions of the term, unless either party gives notice of its intent not to renew at least twelve months prior to the end of the current term. The current term expires December 31, 2010, and will be automatically extended for one additional year unless either party gives notice of its intent not to extend by December 31, 2009. The Bard Agreement gives Bard the non-exclusive right to distribute the TheraSeed® device
in the U.S., Canada, and other international locations for the treatment of prostate cancer and other solid localized cancerous tumors.
 
  13
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  Major Customers
  Sales to Bard under the Bard Agreement represented 48% of brachytherapy seed product revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 46% in the first nine months of 2009 compared with 51% in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2008.  Sales to Bard under the Bard Agreement represented approximately 14% of consolidated revenue
in the third quarter and 15% in the first nine months of 2009 compared with approximately 18% in the third quarter of 2008 and 22% in the first nine months of 2008.
  Accounts receivable from Bard under the Bard Agreement represented approximately 41% of brachytherapy accounts receivable and 15% of consolidated accounts receivable at October 4, 2009. At December 31, 2008, accounts receivable from Bard represented approximately 48% of brachytherapy accounts receivable and 21% of consolidated accounts
receivable. At October 4, 2009, one additional customer totaled 11% of brachytherapy accounts receivable but was less than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable.
  One customer represented 15% of surgical products revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 10% of consolidated revenue in the first nine months of 2009.  Another customer represented
10% of surgical products revenue in the third quarter of 2009 but less than 10% of consolidated revenue in the first nine months of 2009.  No single customer equaled or exceeded 10% of surgical products revenue for the 2008 periods.
 NOTE I–FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE
 
 Financial Instruments
 
 We are exposed to certain risks relating to our ongoing business operations. We manage our interest rate risk using interest rate swaps associated with outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement, as our interest rates are floating rates based on LIBOR.  We do not hold or issue interest rate swaps for trading purposes, and
we hold no other derivative financial instruments other than interest rate swaps.  Our interest rate swaps are recorded as either assets or liabilities at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.  We enter into interest rate swaps that are designed to hedge our interest rate risk but are not designated as “hedging instruments”, as defined under guidance issued by the FASB.  Changes in the fair value
of these instruments are recognized as interest expense on our condensed consolidated statement of earnings.  The counterparty to our interest rate swaps is the lender under our Credit Agreement.  Accordingly, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk from this financial institution. We entered into interest rate swaps based on the relationship with this financial institution as our lender and on their credit rating and the rating of their parent company. We continue to monitor our counterparty
credit risk.
 
 A roll forward of the notional value of our interest rate swaps for the nine months ended October 4, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 Balance, December 31, 2008

$
-New contracts


16,000Matured contracts


(1,111
)Balance, October 4, 2009

$
14,889
 The location and fair value of our derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments in our condensed consolidated balance sheet at October 4, 2009 was as follows (in thousands):
 Type

Notional
Amount

Maturity
Balance Sheet
Location
Fair Value
LiabilityInterest rate
swaps

$
14,889

June 2012
Other long-term
liabilities
$
74
  14
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  The following table includes information about gains and losses recognized on our derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments in our condensed consolidated statement of earnings (in thousands):
 
 Three Months Ended
October 4, 2009


Nine Months Ended
October 4, 2009

Location of Loss
Recognized in IncomeInterest rate swaps loss

$
139


$
151

Interest expense
 
 We did not have any derivative financial instruments prior to the second quarter of 2009.
 
 Fair Value of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
  We measure fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In accordance with guidance issued by the FASB, we use a three-level
fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
  ●
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 ●
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or
can be corroborated by observable market data.
 ●
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable
inputs.
 
 We had the following assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to disclosure requirements:
 
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)


Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)


Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)


TotalOctober 4, 2009Interest rate swaps

$
-


$
(74
)

$
-


$
(74
)December 31, 2008Marketable securities

$
1,007


$
500


$
-


$
1,507
  Our interest rate swaps are contracts with our financial institution, and are not contracts that can be traded in a ready market.   We estimate the fair value of our interest rate swaps based on the estimates of the financial institution that carry our contracts.  Estimated fair value is based on, among other things,
discounted cash flows based upon current market expectations about future amounts, yield curves, and mid-market pricing.  Accordingly, we classify our interest rate swap agreements as Level 2.  Due to the uncertainty inherent in the valuation process, such estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for our interest rate swaps existed.
  15
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
 
 Our financial instruments not measured at fair value consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, the carrying value of each approximating fair value due to the nature of these accounts. Our financial instruments not measured at fair value also include borrowings under our Credit Agreement.  We
estimate the fair value of outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement based on the current market rates applicable to borrowers with credit profiles similar to us.  We entered into our current Credit Agreement in May 2009, and we estimate that the carrying value of our borrowings approximates fair value at October 4, 2009.
 
 There were no nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities measured at fair value at October 4, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
 
 NOTE J - SEGMENT REPORTING
 
 We are a medical device company serving the surgical products and cancer treatment markets, operating in two business segments. Our surgical products business consists of wound closure, vascular access, and specialty needle products.  Wound closure includes sutures, needles and other surgical products. Vascular access includes
introducers, guidewires, and other related products.  Specialty needles include coaxial, biopsy, spinal and disposable veress needles, access trocars, and other needle based products.  This segment serves a number of markets and applications, including among other areas, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, dental surgery, urology, veterinary medicine, pain management, endoscopy, and spinal surgery. In our brachytherapy seed business,
we produce, market, and sell TheraSeed®, our premier palladium-103 prostate cancer treatment device, I-Seed, our iodine-125 based prostate cancer treatment device, and related products and services.
 
 In the first quarter of 2009, we changed the manner in which we allocate the cost of corporate activities to our business segments.  Operating expenses associated with corporate activities are now allocated based on the relative revenue of each business segment.  With the acquisition of NeedleTech in July 2008, the continued
integration of acquired companies, the launch of our R&D program for our surgical products segment, and the program to standardize our information technology systems across all of our businesses, among other things, we believe this method more accurately reflects the utilization of our corporate resources.  This is also the method we now utilize internally to review results and allocate resources.  Previously, we charged the significant portion of expenses associated with corporate activities
to the brachytherapy segment.  We have restated our segment results for the 2008 periods to reflect this change in the method of allocating corporate expenses.  This change had no effect on our consolidated results of operations previously reported for the 2008 periods.
  Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008RevenuesSurgical products

$
13,354


$
11,444


$
40,170


$
27,208Brachytherapy seed


6,051



6,707



19,643



22,221Intersegment eliminations


(61
)


(45
)


(173
)


(174
)$
19,344


$
18,106


$
59,640


$
49,255Earnings from operationsSurgical products

$
623


$
202


$
1,506


$
1,737Brachytherapy seed


972



933



3,449



4,248Intersegment eliminations


(16
)


23



(5
)


18$
1,579


$
1,158


$
4,950


$
6,003Increase in estimated value of asset held for saleSurgical products

$
--


$
--


$
--


$
--Brachytherapy seed


--



--



--



142$
--


$
--


$
--


$
142
  16
  THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008Capital expendituresSurgical products

$
2,453


$
337


$
2,938


$
957Brachytherapy seed


510



51



1,081



312$
2,963


$
388


$
4,019


$
1,269Depreciation and amortizationSurgical products

$
1,210


$
1,059


$
3,635


$
2,352Brachytherapy seed


531



518



1,550



1,592$
1,741


$
1,577


$
5,185


$
3,944Fair value adjustment from acquired inventorySurgical products

$
-


$
490


$
-


$
490Brachytherapy seed


-



-



-



-$
-


$
490


$
-


$
490
 
 We evaluate business segment performance based on segment revenue and segment earnings from operations.Earnings from operations by segment do not include interest expense, interest income, other income and expense, or provisions for income taxes.  Intersegment
eliminations are primarily for surgical products segment sales transactions.
 
 Supplemental information related to significant assets and liabilities follows (in thousands):
 
 October 4,
2009


December 31,
2008Identifiable assetsSurgical products

$
64,347


$
62,738Brachytherapy seed


54,093



51,731Corporate investment in subsidiaries


111,439



111,439Intersegment eliminations


(111,515
)


(111,489
)$
118,364


$
114,419Customer relationships, netSurgical products

$
11,119


$
12,742Brachytherapy seed


--



--$
11,119


$
12,742Other intangible assets, netSurgical products

$
5,004


$
5,977Brachytherapy seed


204



1$
5,208


$
5,978
  17
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  Information regarding revenue by geographic regions follows (in thousands):
 
 Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008Product salesUnited States

$
17,162


$
16,070


$
52,727


$
44,165Europe


1,530



1,468



4,886



3,720Other foreign countries


344



376



1,159



66019,036



17,914



58,772



48,545License and fee incomeUnited States


137



44



385



69Canada


171



148



483



641308



192



868



710$
19,344


$
18,106


$
59,640


$
49,255
 
 Foreign sales are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer. Thelicense fees attributed to Canada are with Nordion, a Canadian based company, for the license of our TheraSphere® product.  Substantially
all foreign product sales are related to our surgical products segment.  All of our long-lived assets are located within the United States.
 
 NOTE K – EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
 Basic earnings per share represents net earnings divided by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share represents net earnings divided by weighted average shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental dilution of outstanding stock options and awards.  A reconciliation of weighted average common shares
outstanding to weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution for the periods presented follows (in thousands, except per share data):
  Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008Net earnings

$
799


$
641


$
2,677


$
3,915Weighted average common shares


33,161



33,000



33,136



33,089Incremental common shares issuable under stock options and awards


83



139



72



148Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution


33,244



33,139



33,208



33,237Earnings per shareBasic

$
0.02


$
0.02


$
0.08


$
0.12Diluted

$
0.02


$
0.02


$
0.08


$
0.12
  For the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, potential common stock from approximately 1,007,000 and 1,288,000, respectively, stock options were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because their effect is antidilutive.  For the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, potential common stock
from approximately 1,396,000 stock options were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because their effect is antidilutive.
  18
 THERAGENICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
  NOTE L – NON-OPERATING INCOME/(EXPENSE)
 
 Other non-operating income/(expense) consists of the following:
 
 Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008Realized loss on marketable securities

$
--


$
(2
)

$
--


$
(254
)Gain on sale of scrap metal


--



213



--



457Miscellaneous


2



(2
)


1



(58
)Total other

$
2


$
209


$
1


$
145
 19
  Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 Overview
 
 TheragenicsCorporation is a medical device company serving the surgical products and cancer treatment markets, operating in two business segments.   The terms “Company”, “we”,
“us”, or “our” mean Theragenics Corporation and all entities included in our consolidated financial statements.
 
 Our surgical products business consists of wound closure, vascular access, and specialty needle products.  Wound closure includes sutures, needles and other surgical products. Vascular access includes introducers, guidewires, and related products.  Specialty
needles include coaxial, biopsy, spinal and disposable veress needles, access trocars, and other needle based products.  This segment serves a number of markets and applications, including among other areas, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, dental surgery, urology, veterinary medicine, pain management, endoscopy, and spinal surgery.  Our surgical products business sells our devices and components primarily to original equipment
manufacturers (“OEMs”) and to a network of distributors.
 
 In our brachytherapy seed business, we produce, market and sell TheraSeed®, our premier palladium-103 prostate cancer treatment device; I-Seed, our iodine-125 based prostate cancer treatment device; and other related products and services. We are the world’s
largest producer of palladium-103, the radioactive isotope that supplies the therapeutic radiation for our TheraSeed® device. Physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers, primarily located in the United States, utilize the TheraSeed® and I-Seed devices. The majority of TheraSeed® sales
are channeled through third-party distributors. We also maintain an in-house sales force that sells our TheraSeed® and I-Seed devices directly to physicians.
 
 We have substantially diversified our operations and revenues in recent years. Prior to 2005, we operated one business segment, our brachytherapy seed business.  Through 2002, our sole product was the palladium-103 TheraSeed® prostate cancer treatment
device. In 2003, we began to market an iodine-125 based I-Seed prostate cancer treatment product. In May 2005, we expanded into the surgical products business with the acquisition of CP Medical Corporation (“CP Medical”).  In August 2005, we restructured our brachytherapy seed business to sharpen our focus on our two business segments and provide a more focused platform for continued diversification.  In August 2006, we acquired Galt Medical Corp. (“Galt”); and in July
2008, we acquired NeedleTech Products, Inc. (“NeedleTech”).  CP Medical, Galt, and NeedleTech comprise our surgical products business, which accounted for 69% and 67% of consolidated revenue for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, respectively.  Prior to May 2005, the brachytherapy seed business constituted 100% of our revenue.
 
 New Credit Agreement
 
 In May 2009, we executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a financial institution.  The Credit Agreement provides for up to $30 million of borrowings under a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a $10 million term loan (the “Term Loan”).  The
Revolver matures on October 31, 2012 with interest payable at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.25%.  Maximum borrowings under the Revolver can be increased to $40 million with the prior approval of the financial institution under an accordion feature.  The Term Loan is payable in equal monthly installments over 36 months, which commenced July 1, 2009 (totaling $3.3 million annually), plus interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%.  We also entered into interest
rate swap agreements to hedge our interest rate risk.  We entered into a floating to fixed rate swap with respect to the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan, at a fixed interest rate of 3.27%, and a separate floating to fixed rate swap with respect to $6 million of the principal amount outstanding under the Revolver, at a fixed interest rate of 4.26%.  This new Credit Agreement replaces the credit agreement that would have matured in October 2009.  See “Credit
Agreement”under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for additional information.
 
 Acquisition of NeedleTech Products
 
 We acquired all of the outstanding common stock of NeedleTech on July 28, 2008.  The total purchase price, including transaction costs, was approximately $44.1 million (net of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities acquired of approximately $5.8 million).  We paid the purchase price in cash, including $24.5
million from borrowings under our credit facility.
  20
  NeedleTech is a manufacturer of specialty needles and related medical devices.  Its current products include coaxial needles, biopsy needles, access trocars, brachytherapy needles, guidewire introducer needles, spinal needles, disposable veress needles, and other needle based products.  End markets served include the
cardiology, orthopedics, pain management, endoscopy, spinal surgery, urology, and veterinary medicine markets.  We believe the acquisition of NeedleTech will forward our stated strategy of becoming a diversified medical device manufacturer, will increase our breadth of offerings to our existing customers and will expand our customer base of large leading-edge OEMs. The results of NeedleTech’s operations were included in our consolidated results subsequent to acquisition.
 
 Results of Operations
 
 Change in Segment Reporting
 
 In the first quarter of 2009, we changed the manner in which we allocate the cost of corporate activities to our business segments.  Operating expenses associated with corporate activities are now allocated based on the relative revenue of each business segment.  With the acquisition of NeedleTech in July 2008, the continued
integration of acquired companies, the launch of our R&D program for our surgical products segment in late 2008, and our program to standardize our information technology systems across all of our businesses, among other things, we believe this method more accurately reflects the utilization of corporate resources.  We also utilize this method internally to review results and allocate resources.  Previously, we charged the significant portion of expenses associated with corporate activities
to our brachytherapy segment.  We have restated our segment results for the 2008 period to reflect this change in the method of allocating corporate expenses.  This change did not affect the reported amounts of segment revenue.  This change also had no effect on our consolidated results of operations previously reported for the 2008 periods.
  Revenue
  Following is a summary of revenue by segment (in thousands):
 
 Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


Change
(%)


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


Change
(%)Surgical products

$
13,354


$
11,444



16.7
%

$
40,170


$
27,208



47.6
%Brachytherapy seed


6,051



6,707



(9.8
%)


19,643



22,221



(11.6
%)Intersegment eliminations


(61
)


(45
)


35.6
%


(173
)


(174
)


(0.6
%)Consolidated

$
19,344


$
18,106



6.8
%

$
59,640


$
49,255



21.1
%
 
 Surgical Products Segment
 
 Revenue in our surgical products business increased 17% in the third quarter of 2009 and 48% in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the 2008 periods primarily as a result of our NeedleTech acquisition.  On a pro forma basis, as if the NeedleTech acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2008, revenue in our surgical products
segment would have increased 6% in the quarter and 8% in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the 2008 periods.  Our open orders were $13.1 million at October 4, 2009.  Open orders are not guaranteed shipments, and they are subject to cancellation or delay. A significant portion of the revenues in our surgical business is generated by sales to OEMs and a network of distributors.  Ordering patterns of these customers vary and are difficult to predict.  Accordingly,
surgical products revenue is subject to fluctuation, especially on a quarter-to-quarter basis.  In addition, the volatility and disruptions in the U.S. and global economies and credit markets, and other uncertainties due to the economic slowdown have had an effect on our surgical product revenue.  As general economic conditions worsened in the fourth quarter of 2008, scheduled shipping dates for our open orders during the fourth quarter were farther out than we historically experienced.  We
believe the lengthening lead times, at least in part, reflected our customers’ response to efforts by hospitals to reduce inventories and conserve cash.  We have not experienced a similar delay in requested shipping dates during the first nine months of 2009.  We do not know whether this indicates a return to our historical lead times.  Looking forward, we expect that the difficult economic climate and macroeconomic uncertainties generally will continue to affect our surgical
products business at least through 2009 and into 2010, and perhaps make the fluctuations in our results even more volatile from period to period.
  21
  Brachytherapy Seed Segment
 
 Brachytherapy product sales decreased 10% in the third quarter of 2009 and 12% in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the 2008 periods.  We believe that the industry wide decline in prostate brachytherapy procedure volume experienced in 2008 continued in 2009.  Some newer forms of treatment have increased their
market share, especially those with Medicare reimbursement levels that are higher than reimbursement levels for brachytherapy.  These newer forms of alternative treatments include Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (“IMRT”) and robotic surgery.  We cannot predict when this industry wide decline in procedure volume will stabilize and expect continued softness in brachytherapy revenue for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010.  Our revenues also continue to be affected
by the performance of our main distributor.  Sales to this distributor declined 17% in the third quarter of 2009 and 21% in the first nine months of 2009 compared with the 2008 periods. We also maintain our own internal brachytherapy sales force that sells TheraSeed®and I-Seed directly to hospitals and physicians. Our direct sales declined 9% in the third quarter and 8% in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008.  Revenue
from direct sales was 48% of total brachytherapy segment product revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 49%  in the first nine months of 2009.  In addition to competition from treatment options that enjoy favorable reimbursement rates, we believe brachytherapy seed revenue is affected by disruptive pricing from other brachytherapy providers and uncertainties surrounding reimbursement as discussed below.  The average selling price of the TheraSeed® device
sold directly to hospitals and physicians during the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009 was comparable to the 2008 period.
  We have two non-exclusive distribution agreements in place for the distribution of the TheraSeed® device.  The primary distribution agreement is with C. R. Bard (“Bard”), which is effective through December 31, 2010 (the “Bard
Agreement”). Sales under the Bard Agreement represented 48% of brachytherapy product revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 46% in the first nine months of 2009 versus 51% in both the comparable 2008 periods.  Sales under the Bard Agreement represented approximately 14% of consolidated revenue in the third quarter and 15% in the first nine months of 2009 versus approximately 18% of consolidated revenue in the third quarter and 22% in the first nine months of 2008.  The terms of the
Bard Agreement provide for automatic one-year extensions of the term, unless either party gives notice of its intent not to renew at least twelve months prior to the end of the current term. The current term expires on December 31, 2010 and will be automatically extended for one additional year unless either party gives notice of its intent not to extend by December 31, 2009.  We also have a non-exclusive distribution agreement in place with a second distributor, though revenue generated from the second
distributor was not material.
  We believe that Medicare reimbursement policies have affected the brachytherapy market and will continue to affect the brachytherapy market.  During 2007 Medicare continued to reimburse for brachytherapy seeds under the “charges adjusted to costs” methodology, which is based on the actual invoiced cost of the seeds
and which we sometimes refer to as a “pass-through” methodology.  In December 2007, Congress enacted the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, which extended the existing cost-based reimbursement methodology through June 30, 2008.  On July 15, 2008, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (the “2008 Act”) was enacted into law.  The 2008 Act extends Medicare’s long standing cost-based reimbursement methodology for
brachytherapy seeds administered in the hospital outpatient setting through December 31, 2009, ensuring that the Medicare program does not implement potentially restrictive caps on reimbursement during this period.  The 2008 Act was retroactive to July 1, 2008.  See “Medicare Developments” below.  The potential for fixed Medicare reimbursement rates after the expiration of the 2008 Act and other factors can be expected to lead to continued pricing pressure from hospitals
and other health care providers.  Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on brachytherapy revenue.
  22
  Operating income and costs and expenses
 
 Following is a summary of operating income by segment (in thousands):
 
 Three Months Ended


Nine Months EndedOctober 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


Change
(%)


October 4,
2009


September 28,
2008


Change
($)Surgical products

$
623


$
202



208.4
%

$
1,506


$
1,737



(13.3
%)Brachytherapy seed


972



933



4.2
%


3,449



4,248



(18.8
%)Intersegment eliminations


(16
)


23



(169.6
%)


(5
)


18



(127.8
%)Consolidated

$
1,579


$
1,158



36.4
%

$
4,950


$
6,003



(17.5
%)
 
 Surgical Products Segment
 
 Operating income in our surgical products segment included the results of NeedleTech subsequent to our acquisition on July 28, 2008.  Accordingly, NeedleTech was included in our consolidated results for all of 2009 but only for two months in the 2008 periods.
 
 Operating income in our surgical products segment was $623,000 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $202,000 in the third quarter of 2008.  For the year to date periods, operating income was $1.5 million in 2009 compared to $1.7 million in 2008.  A number of factors affected the comparability between the 2009 and
2008 periods.  In the third quarter of 2009, our gross profit (revenue less cost of sales) was 41% of revenue, compared to 38% in 2008.   For the nine-month period, our gross profit was 40% of sales in 2009 compared to 44% in 2008.  In the 2008 periods our gross profit was reduced by $590,000 of non-cash charges related to the third quarter acquisition of NeedleTech.  These charges did not recur in the 2009 periods.  However, our product and sales channel
mix changed subsequent to the NeedleTech acquisition, with a larger proportion of sales being made to OEM customers.  These sales typically carry lower gross profit as a percentage of sales than sales to our distributors and our direct sales. We also experienced pricing pressures in the 2009 periods, which we believe were at least in part caused by the general macroeconomic uncertainties.  Going forward, we expect our gross profit as a percentage of sales will continue to be affected by changes
in our product and sales channel mix, and by continued pricing pressures.
 
 Operating income in our surgical products business in 2009 was also affected by increased investments in our research and development (“R&D”) program.  R&D expenses increased $159,000 in the third quarter of 2009 and $1.1 million for the first nine months of 2009 over the comparable 2008 periods.  Our
R&D program was launched in the second half of 2008.  This R&D program is focused on product extensions, next generation products, and new products that are complementary to our current product lines, and that support our customers’ product lines.  Our R&D program is directed toward 510(k) products, and not on products that require lengthy and expensive clinical trials.  We have recently been reassessing the projects in our R&D program, in an
effort to focus on opportunities with a more immediate impact.  We believe that opportunities to support programs for our customers may be more attractive for us than developing new products. We expect to continue to invest in infrastructure and R&D during 2009 as investments are made to support anticipated future growth and to develop products to address growth opportunities in our surgical products business. Looking forward,
our quarterly results are expected to be affected by the timing of these investments.Also affecting comparability between the 2009 and 2008 periods is the allocation of our corporate costs. We now allocate corporate costs based on the relative revenue of each of our two business segments.   Because our surgical products segment comprised more of our consolidated revenue in the 2009 periods, primarily due to the inclusion of NeedleTech in our consolidated results, corporate costs allocated
to our surgical products segment increased  by $125,000 in the third quarter and $1.0 million in the first nine months of the year, compared to the 2008 periods.    Finally, we recorded amortization expense related to our tradenames intangible assets totaling $81,000 in the third quarter of 2009 and $243,000 in the first nine months of 2009.  We did not record any amortization in the comparable 2008 periods.  Amortization of our tradenames intangible assets resulted
from our reassessment of their useful lives during impairment testing at December 31, 2008. Total amortization expense from tradename amortization is expected to be $324,000 for the full year in 2009.
  23
  We expect to move our specialty needle manufacturing operation into a new facility during 2010.   While we are planning for the move now in an effort to minimize any disruptions, moving expenses and the transition will have a short-term effect on our results during the period of the move.  In anticipation of the move, we
may build inventory of our specialty needle products.
 Brachytherapy Seed Segment
 
 Operating income in our brachytherapy business was $972,000 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $933,000 in 2008.  For the year to date period, operating income was $3.4 million in 2009 compared to $4.2 million in 2008.   Manufacturing related expenses in our brachytherapy business tend to be relatively fixed
in nature.  Accordingly, even modest declines in revenue have a negative impact on operating income.  Gross margins and operating income in our brachytherapy seed business are expected to continue to be highly dependent on sales levels due to this high fixed cost component.  Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased in the 2009 periods, including the elimination of carrying costs for our former Oak Ridge facility, which was sold in July 2008.  There
was also a reduction in advertising in the third quarter of 2009 due to the timing of advertisements.   The nine-month 2008 period also included a $142,000 benefit from the sale of our Oak Ridge facility.  No such benefit was realized in the 2009 periods.  Finally, operating income in our brachytherapy business also benefited from a reduction in the allocation of corporate costs in the 2009 periods.  We now allocate corporate costs based on the relative revenue of
each of our two business segments.  Because our brachytherapy revenue comprised less of our consolidated revenue in 2009, mainly due to the inclusion of NeedleTech in our consolidated results, corporate costs allocated to our brachytherapy business declined $92,000 in the third quarter and $468,000 in the first nine months of the year, compared to the 2008 periods.
 
 Non operating income/expense
 
 Interest income decreased to $6,000 in the third quarter of 2009 from $173,000 in the third quarter of 2008 and to $23,000 in the first nine months of 2009 from $929,000 in the first nine months of 2008 due to significantly lower yields on our investment portfolio.  In the 2008 periods we had significant investments in auction
rate securities.  These investments provided relatively higher returns than we are currently experiencing, but these investments also turned out to be illiquid and very risky.  The auction rate security market continues to be relatively illiquid and riskier than expected.  We liquidated our auction rate securities in late 2008 and early 2009 at full value and without incurring any losses to principal.  However, due to the uncertainties and risks inherent in the current
investment and credit markets, our investment portfolio in 2009 is much more conservatively invested than it was last year.  All of our investments are currently held in banks, U.S. Treasury Bills or highly rated money market accounts.  Looking forward, we may invest our funds in higher yielding investments if those investments meet the conservative criteria established by our investment policies and the macroeconomic outlook becomes clearer.  Funds available for investment have
and will continue to be utilized for our current and future expansion programs, for strategic opportunities for growth and diversification, and for installment payments on the Term Loan. As funds continue to be used for these purposes, and as interest rates continue to change, we expect interest income to fluctuate accordingly.
 
 Interest expense increased to $362,000 in the third quarter of 2009 from $241,000 in the third quarter of 2008 and increased to $647,000 in the first nine months of 2009 from $518,000 in the first nine months of 2008.  The increased interest expense in the 2009 periods was a result of higher outstanding borrowings in the 2009
periods due to borrowings made for the NeedleTech acquisition.  Somewhat offsetting the increased borrowings was a lower effective interest rate during most of the first nine months of 2009.  Our weighted average effective interest rate was 3.1% at October 4, 2009.  In addition, fair value adjustments related to our interest rate swaps are included in interest expense.  Such fair value adjustments totaled unrealized losses of $84,000 in the third quarter and $74,000 in
the year to date period.
  24
  We manage our interest rate risk using interest rate swaps associated with outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement, as our interest rates are floating rates based on LIBOR.  We do not hold or issue interest rate swaps for trading purposes, and we hold no other derivative financial instruments other than interest rate
swaps. We enter into interest rate swaps that are designed to hedge the interest rate risk but are not designated as “hedging instruments”, as defined under guidance issued by the FASB.  Changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized as interest expense.  Such changes in fair value are based on, among other things, discounted cash flows based upon current market expectations about future amounts, yield curves, and mid-market pricing.  Accordingly, the fair
value of our interest rate swaps is subject to fluctuation and may have a significant effect on our results of operations in future periods.   Additionally, the counterparty to our interest rate swaps is the lender under our Credit Agreement.  Accordingly, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk from this financial institution. We entered into interest rate swaps based on the relationship with this financial institution as our lender and on their credit rating and the rating of their
parent company. We continue to monitor our counterparty credit risk.
  Income tax expense
 
 Our effective income tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 was 35% and 38%, respectively, compared to 51% and 40%, respectively, for each of the 2008 periods. These rates include federal and state income taxes.  The tax rate in the 2008 periods was significantly higher than our normal rates because of  the
non-cash write off of a deferred income tax asset related to certain non-qualified stock options.  These options expired unexercised in the third quarter of 2008, requiring us to write off the $302,000 deferred tax asset associated with them in that period. This income tax expense amount is not related to the amount of pre-tax income and, accordingly, had a significant effect on our 2008 tax rate.  We expect our 2009 year to date tax rate to be more reflective of our rates going forward.  However,
our tax rates can be significantly affected by, among other things, tax expense for items unrelated to actual taxable income, such as the write-off of deferred tax assets associated with share based compensation.  Accordingly, our tax rate for financial reporting purposes going forward is subject to significant fluctuations.
 
 Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
 The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The SEC defines “critical
accounting policies” as those that require application of our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Certain accounting policies, as more fully described under “Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of our 2008 Form 10-K, are those which we believe are most critical in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and are areas in which our judgment in selecting an available alternative might produce a materially different result. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies since December
31, 2008.
 
 The following replaces and clarifies our critical accounting policies and estimates with respect to our significant judgments and estimates related to revenue recognition and goodwill and other intangible assets as disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008:
 
 Revenue Recognition and Cost of Sales.  We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, title and risk of loss have transferred, the selling price is fixed or determinable, contractual obligations have been satisfied and collectibility is reasonably
assured.  Revenue for product sales is recognized upon shipment.  License fees are recognized in the periods to which they relate.
 
 Charges for returns and allowances are recognized as a deduction from revenue on an accrual basis in the period in which the related revenue is recorded.  The accrual for product returns and allowances is based on our history.  We allow customers to return defective products.  In our brachytherapy segment,
we also allow customers to return products in cases where the attending physician or hospital has certified that the brachytherapy procedure was unable to be performed as scheduled due to the patient’s health or other valid reason.  Historically, product returns and allowances have not been material.
  25
  Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. Billings to customers to recover such costs are included in product sales. Any sales taxes charged to customers are excluded from both net sales and expenses.
 
 Goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized to expense and must be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The first step
of the impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives. If fair value exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If book value exceeds fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. For this step the implied fair value of the goodwill
is compared with the book value of the goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Any loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of goodwill is its new accounting basis. Subsequent reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited once the measurement of that loss is completed.
  When we have goodwill or other intangible assets not subject to amortization recorded in our consolidated balance sheet, we perform our annual impairment assessment during the fourth quarter. We also make judgments about goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that impairment in the value of such asset recorded on our consolidated balance sheet may exist. The timing of an impairment test may result in charges to our consolidated statements of income in future reporting periods that could not have been reasonably foreseen in prior periods.
  In order to estimate the fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization, we typically prepare discounted cash flow analyses (“income approach”) and comparable company market multiples analyses (“market approach”) to determine the fair value of our reporting units.
 
 For the income approach, we project future cash flows for each reporting unit. This approach requires significant judgments including the projected net cash flows, the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) used to discount the cash flows and terminal value assumptions. We derive the assumptions related to cash flows primarily
from our internal budgets and forecasts.  These budgets and forecasts include information related to our current and future products, revenues, capacity, operating costs, and other information.  All such information is derived in the context of our long-term operational strategies.  The WACC and terminal value assumptions are based on the capital structure, cost of capital, inherent business risk profiles, and industry outlooks for each of our reporting units, and for our Company
on a consolidated basis.
 
 For the market approach, we identify reasonably similar public companies for each of our reporting units, analyze the financial and operating performance of these similar companies relative to our financial and operating performance, calculate market multiples primarily based on the ratio of Business Enterprise Value (“BEV”)
to revenue and BEV to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjust such multiples for differences between the similar companies and our reporting units, and apply the resulting multiples to the fundamentals of our reporting units to arrive at an indication of fair value.
 
 To assess the reasonableness of our valuations under each method, we reconcile the aggregate fair values of our reporting units to our market capitalization.
 
 The most recent goodwill and intangible assessment was performed in the fourth quarter of 2008.  We determined that all of our goodwill was impaired and that a portion of our tradenames intangible asset was impaired, and these impairment charges were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008.
  26
  Our market capitalization declined significantly in the fourth quarter of 2008, along with the significant declines in the overall market value of all of the major stock markets in the United States and around the world.  We considered our market capitalization when we developed the appropriate discount rates and comparable company
market multiples for purposes of estimating the fair value of our reporting units.  The significant decline in our market capitalization resulted in discount rates that were considerably higher, and comparable company market multiples that were considerably lower, than the discount rates and comparable company market multiples we previously considered appropriate.  The most significant assumption leading to our impairment charges in the fourth quarter of 2008 was the various discount rates
for our reporting units, all of which exceeded 20% at that point in time.  We attempted to identify the underlying reasons for this circumstance.  We considered many factors, including: the conditions of the companies in our sectors; unusual short selling or other unusual activity in the trading of our common stock; and whether the overall general economic outlook and stock market declines could be considered as “temporary.”  We were unable to identify any of these factors
as directly affecting the decline in our market capitalization.  The long-term expectations for our reporting units did not materially change during the period.  We concluded that the significant increase in our discount rates and decrease in our comparable company market multiples was a result of the increased risk associated with the distressed equity and credit markets generally, especially as these factors relate to a small company such as ours.  In addition, we believe the increasing
prevalence of shareholders and investors trading securities outside of traditional stock exchanges contributes to share price volatility, especially over the short term.  Finally, the scarcity of capital, especially for smaller companies, affects the risks associated with investments in its common stock and its share price.
  In connection with our goodwill and tradenames impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2008, we also assessed the estimated useful lives of our tradenames.  At December 31, 2008, we determined that current facts and circumstances no longer supported an indefinite life for our tradenames intangible asset.  In considering
all of the facts and circumstances at that time, including the increased risk associated with our businesses as perceived by investors, the distressed general equity and credit markets, especially as these factors relate to smaller companies such as ours, and the significant economic uncertainties caused by the worsening overall economic conditions, we concluded that an indefinite life for our tradenames intangible assets was no longer supportable.  We also considered changes to our terminal value assumptions
in our estimate of fair value for each reporting unit, which affected assumptions beyond year 10 in our cash flow forecasts.  Accordingly, we estimated that the remaining useful life of the recorded amount of our tradenames was 10 years, and we began to amortize tradenames over 10 years beginning in 2009. Prior to December 31, 2008, we estimated that our tradenames intangible assets had indeterminate lives and, accordingly, were not subject to amortization. Amortization expense related to our tradenames
was $81,000 in the third quarter of 2009 and $243,000 for the first nine months of 2009 and is expected to be $324,000 for the year ending December 31, 2009.  Periods prior to this change were not restated or retrospectively adjusted.
 
 New Accounting Pronouncements
  Effective July 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) codified accounting literature into a single source of authoritative accounting principles, except for certain authoritative rules and interpretive releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Since the codification did not alter existing U.S.
GAAP, it did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. All references to pre-codified U.S. GAAP have been removed from this Form 10-Q.
  In April 2008, the FASB issued guidance on the determination of the useful life of intangible assets.  The intent of this guidance is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset.  We adopted this
guidance effective January 1, 2009.  This adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 In March 2008, the FASB issued guidance that seeks to improve financial reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures regarding a company’s hedging strategies, the impact on financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  This guidance was effective on January 1,
2009 and applicable to us in May 2009 when we entered into two interest rate swap agreements.  As this statement only required enhanced disclosures, the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
  27
  In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding interim disclosure about the fair value of financial instruments.  This guidance requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods and annual financial statements. We adopted this guidance effective for the three months ending July
5, 2009.  As this guidance only required enhanced disclosures, the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding subsequent events.  This guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but prior to the issuance of the financial statements.  It also requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events
were evaluated and the basis for that date.  We adopted this guidance effective for the three months ending July 5, 2009.  We reviewed events for inclusion in the financial statements through November 13, 2009, the date that the accompanying financial statements were issued.  As this guidance only required enhanced disclosures, the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
  Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
 We had cash and cash equivalents of $46.9 million at October 4, 2009, compared to $39.1 million at December 31, 2008. The aggregate increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily the result of cash generated from operations, partially offset by capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings and loan closing costs.
 
 Cash provided by operations was $11.6 million and $9.4 million during the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Cash provided by operations consists of net earnings plus non-cash expenses such as depreciation, amortization, deferred income taxes and changes in balance sheet items such as accounts receivable, inventories, income
taxes, and payables.  Net earnings for the first nine months of 2009 was $2.7 million, compared to $3.9 million in the first nine months of 2008.  However, cash provided from operations increased in the 2009 period primarily as a result of a $1.5 million income tax refund received in 2009 and higher non-cash depreciation and amortization charges in 2009. During 2008 we sold our Oak Ridge facility and generated an income tax loss.  In the second quarter of 2009, the use of this income
tax loss allowed us to recover $1.5 million of income taxes previously paid during 2008.  The use of this loss also allowed us to reduce income taxes payable in 2009. We have no remaining tax losses from the sale of our Oak Ridge facility and expect to pay income taxes at normal rates going forward.
 
 Working capital was $59.7 million at October 4, 2009 compared to $28.1 million at December 31, 2008.  The increase in working capital is mainly due to the classification of $27.6 million of outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement as long-term at October 4, 2009.  These borrowings were classified as short-term
at December 31, 2008.  We obtained a new Credit Agreement in May 2009.  See “Credit Agreement” below.
 
 Capital expenditures totaled $4.0 million and $1.3 million during the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.  2009 capital expenditures include approximately $1.8 million for the purchase of a new specialty needle manufacturing facility.  This is a base facility and requires extensive improvements and remodeling.  We
expect to move our specialty needle manufacturing operation into this new facility during 2010.  We have also  invested in standardizing our information technology (“IT”) systems in 2009.  Our strategic IT initiative is designed to improve efficiencies and better support all of our businesses, employees and customers. These two programs, along with our continued investments to support growth in our surgical products business and our capital expenditures in the normal course
of business, could increase our capital expenditure level to as much as $10 million to $12 million over the next twelve to eighteen months.
 
 Cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2009 was $1.3 million and related primarily to our new Credit Agreement, including principal repayments as required by our new Credit Agreement.  See “Credit Agreement” below.  Cash provided
by financing activities in the first nine months of 2008 consisted primarily of the $24.5 million proceeds from our then existing credit agreement, which was used in our NeedleTech acquisition.  This was partially offset by $691,000 for the payment of certain expenses for which we were indemnified and reimbursed by receipt of 202,000 shares of our common stock.  Those shares were subsequently retired.
  28
  Wemay also continue to use cash for increased marketing and TheraSeed®support activities, and in
the pursuit of additional diversification efforts such as product development and the purchase of technologies, products or companies.We believe that current cash and investment balances combined with cash from future operations will be sufficient to meet our current short-term anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements. However, continued disruption and instability in the U.S. and global financial markets and worldwide economies
may hinder our ability to take advantage of opportunities for long-term growth in our businesses.  In the event additional financing becomes necessary, we may choose to raise those funds through other means of financing as appropriate.
  Research and Development
 
 R&D expenses were $521,000 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $373,000 in the third quarter of 2008 and $1.7 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to $667,000 in the comparable 2008 period.  These increases are a result of the R&D program we launched in our surgical products segment in the second half
of 2008.  This R&D program is focused on product extensions, next generation products, and new products that are complementary to our current product lines.  Our R&D program is directed toward 510(k) products, and not on products that require lengthy and expensive clinical trials.  We have recently been reassessing the projects in our R&D program, in an effort to focus on opportunities with a more immediate impact.  We believe that opportunities
to support programs for our customers may be more attractive for us than developing new products.  We expect to continue to use cash to support growth in the surgical products segment, especially for this R&D program.  Our R&D expenses thus far in 2009 are reflective of our current expectations for R&D expenses over the next twelve months.  However, R&D expenses are highly dependent on opportunities as they are identified.  Accordingly, our investments in
R&D may increase significantly in future periods.
 
 Credit Agreement
 
 In May 2009, we executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a financial institution.  The Credit Agreement provides for up to $30 million of borrowings under a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a $10 million term loan (the “Term Loan”).  The
Revolver matures on October 31, 2012 with interest payable at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.25%.  Maximum borrowings under the Revolver can be increased to $40 million with the prior approval of the lender under an accordion feature.  The Revolver also provides for a $5 million sub-limit for trade and stand-by letters of credit.  Letters of credit totaling $946,000, representing decommission funding required by the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, were outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of October 4, 2009. The Term Loan is payable in thirty-six equal monthly installments of principal plus interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%, commencing July 1, 2009.  The Credit Agreement is unsecured, but provides for a lien to be established on substantially all of our assets upon certain events of default.  The Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties, as well as affirmative, reporting and negative covenants customary
for financings of this type.  Among other things, the Credit Agreement restricts the incurrence of certain additional debt and certain capital expenditures, and requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a maximum liabilities to tangible net worth ratio, and the maintenance of minimum liquid assets of $10 million, as all such ratios and terms are defined in the Credit Agreement.  We were in compliance with all covenants at October
4, 2009.  This Credit Agreement amended and restated the prior credit agreement, which was scheduled to mature on October 31, 2009 and provided for a $40 million revolving loan and letter of credit commitment.
 
 Future maturities under our Credit Agreement for each of the twelve months following October 4, 2009 are as follows:
 
 2010


2011


2012


TotalTerm loan

$
3,333


$
3,333


$
2,223


$
8,889Revolver










22,000



22,000Total

$
3,333


$
3,333


$
24,223


$
30,889
 
 29
 
 In May 2009 we also entered into certain interest rate swap agreements to manage our variable interest rate exposure.  We entered into a floating to fixed rate swap with respect to the entire principal amount of the Term Loan, at a fixed interest rate of 3.27%, and a separate floating to fixed rate swap with respect to $6 million
of the principal amount outstanding under the Revolver, at a fixed interest rate of 4.26%.  Both interest rate swaps expire on June 1, 2012.  Our weighted average effective interest rate at October 4, 2009 was 3.1%.
 
 Medicare Developments
 
 The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “2003 Act”), which went into effect on January 1, 2004, contained brachytherapy provisions requiring Medicare to reimburse hospital outpatient departments for each brachytherapy seed/source furnished between January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2006
based on the hospital’s costs for each patient (calculated from the hospital’s charges adjusted by the hospital’s specific cost-to-charge ratio). The 2003 Act also directed the U.S. Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) to conduct a study examining future payment policies for brachytherapy seeds. The GAO published its report on July 25, 2006, concluding that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”), the regulatory body that sets Medicare reimbursement
policies, could establish separate prospective payment rates effective in 2007 for palladium-103 brachytherapy seeds/sources (such as TheraSeed®) and iodine-125 seeds/sources using Medicare’s hospital outpatient data.
 
 Although subsequently superseded by Congress, CMS posted a final rule on November 1, 2006 with fixed prospective payment rates for brachytherapy seeds for Medicare’s hospital outpatient prospective payment system (“OPPS”) that would have applied to calendar year 2007. The use of prospective payment rates would have fixed
the per seed rate at which Medicare would have reimbursed hospitals in 2007. We believed that CMS’ approach to determining the fixed prospective reimbursement rate for brachytherapy seeds was fundamentally flawed. For example, CMS did not stratify cost data on differing seed configurations, such as loose versus “stranded” seeds. Accordingly, we continued to work with policy makers in an effort to rectify the shortcomings we believed to be contained in the new CMS rule.
 
 In December 2006, Congress enacted the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (the “2006 Act”), which extended and refined the Medicare safeguards initially enacted by Congress in 2003 for brachytherapy seeds administered in the hospital outpatient setting. The 2006 Act’s provisions on brachytherapy superseded the final
rule published by CMS on November 1, 2006 by extending the existing “charges adjusted to cost” reimbursement policies (which we sometimes refer to as a “pass-through” methodology) for brachytherapy seeds through the end of 2007, ensuring that the Medicare program would not implement potentially restrictive caps on reimbursement during that period. In addition, the legislation recognized that prostate cancer patients must have meaningful access to stranded brachytherapy seeds, which increasingly
are used in clinical practice to further enhance the safety and efficacy of treatment. The 2006 Act also established a permanent requirement for Medicare to use separate codes for the reimbursement of stranded brachytherapy devices. Stranded seeds are becoming a larger portion of our brachytherapy business.
 
 Effective July 2007, CMS issued new reimbursement codes for brachytherapy sources. The codes are isotope specific and recognize the distinction between non-stranded versus stranded seeds, as mandated by the 2006 Act. In early November 2007, CMS again posted a final OPPS rule for calendar year 2008 with fixed prospective reimbursement rates
for all brachytherapy source codes, including the new codes established in July 2007.
 
 In December 2007, Congress passed the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (the “2007 Act”), which once again superseded another CMS final OPPS rule by extending the existing “pass-through” reimbursement policies for brachytherapy seeds through June 30, 2008. Fixed reimbursement rates would have become
effective on January 1, 2008 without the enactment of the 2007 Act. As a result of the 2007 Act, fixed reimbursement rates for seeds were delayed until July 1, 2008.
 
 On July 15, 2008, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (the “2008 Act”) was enacted into law.  The 2008 Act extends Medicare’s longstanding “pass-through” reimbursement policies for brachytherapy seeds administered in the hospital outpatient setting through December 31,
2009, ensuring that the Medicare program does not implement potentially restrictive caps on reimbursement during this period.  The 2008 Act was retroactive to July 1, 2008.
  30
  Consistent with proposals that CMS attempted unsuccessfully to implement in recent years, CMS posted a final OPPS rule on October 30, 2009 with fixed prospective payment rates for brachytherapy seeds.  The proposed use of prospective payment rates would fix the per seed rate at which Medicare would reimburse hospitals during calendar
year 2010.  We expect to continue to support efforts to urge Congress and CMS against finalizing this rule by extending the current “pass-through” reimbursement policies beyond 2009.  The potential for fixed reimbursement rates after the expiration of the 2008 Act on December 31, 2009 and other factors can be expected to lead to continued pricing pressure from hospitals and other health care providers. Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on brachytherapy revenue.
 
 Forward Looking and Cautionary Statements
 
 This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements regarding sales, marketing and distribution efforts, ordering patterns of customers, our direct sales organization
and its growth and effectiveness, third-party reimbursement, CMS policy, sales mix, effectiveness and continuation of non-exclusive distribution agreements, pricing for the TheraSeed®and I-Seed devices, anticipated growth in the surgical products business segment, plans to increase speciality needle manufacturing capacity, future cost of sales and gross margins, R&D efforts
and expenses (including our centralized, corporate-wide R&D initiative), investment in additional personnel, infrastructure and capital assets, implementation of information technology systems, SG&A expenses, other income, potential new products and opportunities, expected changes in interest income and interest expenses, results in general, plans and strategies for continuing diversification, valuation of cash equivalents and marketable securities, and the sufficiency of our liquidity and capital
resources. From time to time, we may also make other forward-looking statements relating to such matters as well as statements relating to anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments and similar matters. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including risks associated with new product development cycles, effectiveness and execution of marketing
and sales programs of our business segments and their distributors, competitive conditions and selling tactics of our competitors, potential changes in third-party reimbursement (including CMS), changes in product pricing by our brachytherapy business segment, changes in cost of materials used in production processes, continued acceptance of our products by the market, potential changes in demand for the products manufactured and sold by our brachytherapy and surgical products segments, integration of acquired
companies into the Theragenics organization, ability and resources to implement an information technology system, capitalization on opportunities for growth within our surgical products business segment, competition within the medical device industry, development and growth of new applications within our markets, competition from other methods of treatment, ability to execute on acquisition opportunities on favorable terms and successfully integrate any acquisition, the ability to realize our estimate of fair
value upon sale or other liquidation of marketable securities and cash equivalents that we may hold, the success of our hedging strategies using interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate risk, volatility in U.S. and global stock markets, economic conditions generally, potential changes in tax rates and market interest rates, the effect of current difficulties in the credit markets on our business, and the risks identified elsewhere in this report, including without limitation the Risk Factors Section hereof.  All
forward looking statements and cautionary statements included in this document are made as of the date hereof based on information available to us, and we assume no obligation to update any forward looking statement or cautionary statement.
  31
 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
 We have exposure to market risk as a result of changing interest rates on a portion of our borrowings under our Credit Agreement.  Under our Credit Agreement we have outstanding borrowings of $8.9 million under a Term Loan that is payable in equal monthly installments of approximately
$278,000 through July 2012.  Interest is payable at LIBOR plus 1.75%.  We have entered into a floating to fixed rate swap agreement that expires in July 2012 with respect to the outstanding amount of the Term Loan at a fixed interest rate of 3.26%.  We also have outstanding borrowings of $22 million under the Revolver component of our Credit Agreement.  The Revolver matures in October 2012. Interest on outstanding borrowings under the Revolver is payable at LIBOR plus 2.25%.
We entered into a separate floating to fixed rate swap that expires in July 2012 with respect to $6 million of the principal amount outstanding under the Revolver at a fixed interest rate of 4.26%.   Accordingly, we are exposed to changes in interest rates on outstanding borrowings under our Revolver in excess of $6 million. A hypothetical 1% change in the interest rate applicable to the borrowings in excess of $6 million would result in an increase or decrease in interest expense of $160,000 per
year before income taxes, assuming the same level of borrowings.
  Item 4.Controls and Procedures
 
 Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.  Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of October 4, 2009, the end of the period covered by this report. We acquired NeedleTech Products, Inc. (“NeedleTech”) on July 28, 2008.  Since the date of acquisition, we have been focusing on analyzing, evaluating, and implementing changes in NeedleTech’s procedures and controls to determine their
effectiveness and to make them consistent with our disclosure controls and procedures.  Prior to our acquisition of NeedleTech, they were not required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures or maintain, document and assess internal control over financial reporting, in each case as required under the rules and regulation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, we expect that it will take several months to continue to analyze NeedleTech’s procedures and controls
and expect to make additional changes to those controls in the future.  As permitted by guidance issued by the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, NeedleTech has been excluded from the scope of our quarterly discussion of material changes in internal control over financial reporting below.  We have performed additional procedures to review accounting records and substantiate the financial information of NeedleTech included in this report.  NeedleTech was included
in our results of operations subsequent to our acquisition on July 28, 2008 and constituted 24% of our consolidated revenues for the first nine months of 2009 and 19% of consolidated assets as of October 4, 2009.
 
 No changes in our internal control over financial reporting were identified as having occurred during the quarter ended October 4, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except as described above with respect to NeedleTech. Changes to processes, information
technology systems, and other components of internal control over financial reporting resulting from the acquisition of NeedleTech, as described above, are expected as the integration proceeds.
  PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
 From time to time, we are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. We currently are not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results.
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 Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
 In addition to the information set forth below and other information set forth in this report, the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results, should be carefully
considered. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
  The adoption of healthcare reform in the United States may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
  Various committees of the U.S. Congress have proposed significant reforms to the U.S. healthcare system. The proposals include provisions that, among other things, could reduce and/or limit Medicare reimbursement, create a national healthcare system and impose new and/or increased taxes. One proposed bill would require the medical device
industry to subsidize healthcare reform in the form of a $4 billion annual excise tax on medical device sales. We cannot predict what healthcare initiatives, if any, will be implemented. Many of the proposed reforms, if enacted at the federal or state level, could reduce medical procedure volumes, impact the demand for our products or prices at which we sell our products, and/or increase our cost of doing business, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
  Changes in FDA requirements for obtaining 510(k) approval to market and sell medical device products in the U.S. may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently requested that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) perform a study on whether legislative, regulatory or administrative changes are needed to the FDA’s 510(k) program.  The IOM report is due in 2011.  The FDA also announced an internal working group to evaluate
and improve the consistency of FDA decision making in the clearance process, and recently released an internal report in which FDA officials questioned the 510(k) process in general.  Various committees of the U.S. Congress have also indicated that they may consider investigating the FDA’s 510(k) process.  Under the current 510(k) rules, certain types of medical device can obtain  FDA approval without lengthy and expensive clinical trials.  Among our product
offerings, those products that require FDA approval have received such approval under the 510(k) rules.  Our R&D programs and new product programs contemplate obtaining any required FDA approvals under the current 510(k) rules.  Any changes to the current 510(k) or related FDA rules that make such rules more stringent or require more clinical data, can significantly increase the time and costs associated with bringing new products to market.  This may have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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  Item 6. Exhibits
 
 Exhibit No.

Title31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 REGISTRANT:THERAGENICS CORPORATIONDate: November 13, 2009

By:
/s/ M. Christine JacobsM. Christine Jacobs
Chief Executive OfficerDate: November 13, 2009

By:
/s/ Francis J. TaralloFrancis J. Tarallo
Chief Financial Officer
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