Apparatus and method for making carrier assembly for radioactive seed carrier

Abstract: The method and apparatus for transporting a radioactive carrier device comprising flexible elongated bio-absorbable material having spaced radioactive seeds disposed therein in which the elongated material is loaded in a spacing jig member having spaced first recesses to accommodate the seeds and second recesses to accommodate the elongated material. The loaded jig member has a sheath shielding member placed over it. The carrier assembly is heated to make the carrier device non-deflecting. The carrier assembly, which is placed in a primary shipping container, also may be autoclaved prior to shipping the packaged assembly to a site of use.

Description: FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates generally to a carrier assembly and method for preparing the carrier assembly for a delivery system for interstitial radiation therapy and, more particularly, to a carrier assembly in which an elongated member having radioactive seeds therein is disposed. The carrier assembly is heated to provide a semi-rigid elongated member with the carrier assembly being adapted to be shipped to a site of use at which time the semi-rigid elongated member and seeds may be removed from the carrier assembly for use in interstitial radiation therapy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In interstitial radiation therapy, one method for treating tumors is to permanently place small, radioactive seeds into the tumor site. This method is currently accomplished by one of the following two procedures: (a) loose seeds are implanted/placed in the target tissue. The loose seeds, however, are dependent on the tissue itself to hold each individual seed in place during treatment; and (b) seeds are contained within a woven or braided absorbable carrier such as braided suture material. Currently, the commercially available carrier materials are soft, essentially deflecting materials intended to be pulled through the tissue as opposed to being pushed through the material. The carrier with the seeds disposed therein is secured in place as a single unit, as opposed to one or more individual seeds being held in place, with the plurality of the seeds being held together in the target tissue. To minimize radiation during handling and shipping, the carrier material with the radioactive seeds therein has been shielded by placing the carrier material and seeds in a curved stainless steel metallic tube ring which attenuates more than 99.9% of the I-125 photons. See U.S. Patent No. 4,697,575 and European Patent Publication Number 0064,860 published 17.11.82, Bulletin 82/46. What is desired in using an elongated material having radioactive seeds spaced throughout the material is that the material be sufficiently rigid as to be "non-deflecting." "Non-deflecting" is defined as meaning a delivery system comprising an elongated material, which is absorbable in the living tissue, and having spaced radioactive seeds disposed therein, which has sufficient rigidity to be inserted into a living body near or into a tumor without substantial deflection of the elongated material to provide controlled and precise placement of the radioactive seed material. While semi-rigid bio-absorbable materials with spaced radioactive seeds are known for use as interstitial implants, they are not entirely satisfactory for relatively large-scale commercial operations. In one instance, the elongated material was made using a bio-absorbable material made of an Ethicon Vicryl® material. Radioactive seeds and teflon™spacers were inserted into the material. Needles loaded with the seeds in the carrier material were sterilized or autoclaved causing contraction of the carrier material resulting in a rigid column of seeds and spacers. "Ultrasonically Guided Transperineal Seed Implantation of the Prostate: Modification of the Technique and Qualitative Assessment of Implants" by Van't Riet, et al., International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 555-558, 1992. Another system for providing a semi-rigid elongated material having radioactive seeds disposed therein is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,697,575 in which a plurality of capsules formed of encapsulated radioactive seeds are positioned in a predetermined array. The seeds are formed into individual, encapsulated capsules, each capsule having a projection on one capsule end and a complementary recess on the remaining capsule end. A projection in one capsule is engageable with a recess in an adjacent capsule such that the desired number of seeds can be plugged together to form a column of rigid bio-absorbable elongated material. This system is not entirely satisfactory inasmuch as it is time consuming to carry out the manipulative plugging steps in assembling a strand of elongated material. One feature desired for a semi-rigid strand is that it be assembled relatively easily and efficiently. Another feature which is particularly important and desired in providing a semi-rigid bio-absorbable material and seeds is that the radioactive seeds be maintained at a fixed and controlled center-to-center spacing between seeds. It has been found that, in some instances, maintaining the proper spacing between seeds is not always achieved. What is desired is to provide a semi-rigid bio-absorbable carrier material having seeds disposed within the material with the seeds being accurately spaced a predetermined distance from one another, e.g., 1 centimeter center to center. It is further desired to be able to manufacture the semi-rigid seed carrier in an efficient and relatively expeditious manner to avoid time consuming process steps. Moreover, it is desired to transport the semi-rigid seed carrier, as a sterile unit, from the manufacturer directly to the site of use in a manner that the carrier is not contaminated by foreign objects and the carrier can be removed from an assembly in a relatively easy manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed and claimed herein serves to obviate problems associated with semi-rigid seed carriers previously described and also achieves the desires sought for a semi-rigid bio-absorbable material having radioactive seeds spaced throughout the material. Briefly, the present invention utilizes a delivery system in which radioactive seeds are disposed in a flexible, conventional, elongated member made of a suitable bio-absorbable material. The elongated material and seeds are placed in a spacing jig member which has a plurality of spaced, first and second recesses. The bio-absorbable, elongated material, generally in the form of a flexible, braided string, is disposed in the first recesses while radioactive seeds, which are spaced along the string material, are disposed within the second recesses. The second recesses are spaced a predetermined distance from one another. A tubular sheath shielding member having inner and outer surfaces slides over the jig member with at least a portion of the spacing jig member contacting the inner surface of the sheath member to maintain the elongated material and seeds in the recesses in which they are deposited. The entire assembly is then heated which causes the elongated material holding the seeds to become semi-rigid. Following the heating process, the bio-absorbable material, upon cooling, will shrink or contract a certain amount; however, the seeds are maintained in their desired position within the second recesses of the jig. The entire assembly then is placed within its primary package container. The primary package container preferably consists of two parts, a commercially available medical grade polymer package manufactured to provide a custom-fit cavity, and, a "breathable" cover which seals the unit while allowing for sterilization gases (such as steam or ethylene oxide) to permeate the cover. Once the carrier assembly is placed in the cavity, the cover is placed on top of the package and sealed thereto. The entire assembly within the sealed primary package container then is sterilized by gas (such as ethylene oxide) or gamma irradiation. It is also contemplated that the unit can be both heated/stiffened and sterilized by using an appropriate autoclave cycle, thus producing a "one step" manufacturing process. The sterile carrier assembly which comprises the semi-rigid carrier made up of the bio-absorbable elongated material and seeds along with the jig member and sheath contained within the sealed primary package container, then is shipped as a single unit to a particular hospital or application site. At the site, the package is opened; the carrier assembly is removed from the package; the sheath member is removed exposing the jig; and, one or more of the seeds in the non-deflecting material is removed from the jig member and loaded into a conventional, hollow, metal dispensing needle or applicator cartridge which then is used to implant the radioactive seeds into or contiguous to a tumor being treated. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages of the invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the carrier assembly of the present invention comprising a flexible, elongated seed carrier having spaced, radioactive seeds disposed therein, a hinged jig member having a plurality of spaced, first and second recesses into which the seed carrier is adapted to be loaded, and a sheath shielding member into which the loaded jig member is adapted to be inserted; FIGURE 2 shows a loaded jig being inserted into a sheath member; FIGURE 3 shows the carrier assembly of the present invention with the sheath member covering the jig member which, in turn, houses an elongated bio-absorbable material and a plurality of spaced radioactive seeds; FIGURE 4 shows the carrier assembly of the present invention following the heating process being inserted into one embodiment of a shipping container or package; FIGURE 5 shows a section view of the hinged jig member taken along lines 5-5 in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 6 shows a section view of a seed carrier and jig member disposed within a sheath member taken along lines 6-6 in FIGURE 3; FIGURE 7 shows a plan section view of a seed carrier loaded in the first and second recesses of the spacing jig member taken along lines 7-7 in FIGURE 3; FIGURE 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a seed carrier assembly of the present invention in which snap washer rings, shown in an unassembled condition, serve to hold the elongated bio-absorbable seed carrier material in tension; FIGURE 9 shows the seed carrier assembly of FIGURE 8 with the snap rings inserted in position on respective ends of the sheath member; FIGURE 10 shows a section view taken along lines 10-10 in FIGURE 9 in which the elongated seed carrier material is maintained in tension by the snap rings; FIGURE 11 shows a further embodiment of the carrier assembly of the present invention in which a sheath member comprising multiple components, encloses a jig member which has a seed carrier disposed in recesses located on the wall surface of the jig member; FIGURE 12 shows the unassembled components of the carrier assembly of FIGURE 11; FIGURE 13 shows a partial, exploded view of the elongated seed carrier material and seeds located in first and second recesses of the jig member shown in FIGURE 12 with a knife edge slot traversing the first recess; FIGURE 14 shows a vertical, section view of the carrier assembly of FIGURE 11 in an assembled position; FIGURE 15 shows an end section view taken along lines 15-15 in FIGURE 14 in which a radioactive seed is disposed in a second recess located in the jig member wall; FIGURE 16 shows a partial, fragmentary end section view taken along lines 16-16 in FIGURE 14 in which elongated carrier material is disposed in a first recess located in the jig member wall; FIGURE 17 shows a further modification of the jig member of the present invention in which three seed carriers, each including bio-absorbable, elongated material and spaced seeds disposed therein, are disposed in three, spaced complementary first and second recesses located on the wall surface of the jig member with the carrier assembly being elliptically-shaped; FIGURE 18 shows a further modification of the present invention in which four separate seed carriers are mounted in four, spaced sets of first and second recesses located on the wall surface of the jig member with the outer wall surface of the sheath member having a square shape; FIGURE 19 shows a still further embodiment of the present invention in which the wall surface of the jig member is square and frictionally engageable with a mating square-shaped inner wall surface of a sheath member while the outer sheath member wall surface is circular-shaped; FIGURE 20 shows yet another embodiment of the carrier assembly of the present invention in which a sheath member comprising two components encloses a jig member which has a carrier assembly disposed in recesses located on the wall surface of the jig member; FIGURE 21 shows the carrier assembly of FIGURE 20 with one sheath component disassembled from the jig member; FIGURE 22 shows a vertical, section view of the carrier assembly of FIGURE 20 taken along lines 22-22 in FIGURE 20; and, FIGURE 23 shows the carrier assembly of FIGURE 20 disposed with a primary package container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the invention shows carrier assembly 10 which comprises a seed carrier 11, jig member or spacing jig 12 and shielding sheath member 13. Seed carrier 11 comprises a plurality of radioactive seeds 14 which are disposed within an elongated bio-absorbable carrier material 15 whose length is substantially longer than its width. The radioactive seeds can be made in any suitable manner. The seeds of the present invention may contain any suitable radiation source capable of emitting radiation having therapeutic properties. Such sources and their preparation and use are well-known to those skilled in the art. By way of example only, gamma ray emitting elements such as radon and radium may be employed, as may the radioactive forms of various metals such as cesium, cobalt, gold, iridium, palladium (Pd-103), samarium and tantalum. Other substances and compounds, including mixtures of one or more radiation sources capable of emitting therapeutically useful forms of radiation (i.e. gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, electrons neutrons, electromagnetic waves, etc.) are also contemplated as useful in the practice of the present invention, provided they are presented in a form and at concentrations or amounts which preserve the overall clinical health of a patient. One seed presently available is Model No. 6711 available from Medi-Physics, Inc., an Amersham Company located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.A. and referred to in Medi-Physics Bulletin No. TTO893A. The radioactive seeds are each welded titanium capsules containing I-125 absorbed onto a silver rod. The product, which is available from Amersham Holdings, Arlington Heights, Illinois, is commercially known as I-125 Seeds®. Seeds 14 are spaced at predetermined dimensions in an elongated bio-absorbable material 15 whose length is substantially longer than its width. The carrier material is a flexible material and is absorbable in a living body. The material may be made of any of the natural or synthetic materials absorbable in a living body. Examples of natural absorbable materials as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,697,575 are the polyester amides from glycolic or lactic acids such as the polymers and copolymers of glycolate and lactate, polydioxanone and the like. Such polymeric materials are more fully described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,565,869, 3,636,956, 4,052,988 and European Patent Application 30822. Specific examples of absorbable polymeric materials that may be used to produce the substantially non-deflecting members of the present invention are polymers marketed by Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, New Jersey, under the trademarks "VICRYL" and "PDS". The absorbable material should preferably maintain its integrity for from 1 to about 14 days. Preferably the material should be absorbed in living tissue in a period of time of from about 70 to 120 days. It is preferred that as little absorbable material as possible be used in the delivery systems of the present invention. One seed carrier contains 10 No. 6711 I-125 Seeds® spaced at 1 cm. (center to center) within a braided absorbable carrier. The carrier material is Ethicon No. 1 Vicryl® Synthetic Absorbable Suture (Polyglactic 910). The seed carrier commercially known as product code 6720, I-125 Seeds® In Carrier, and is available from Medi-Physics, Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. Spacing jig 12 shown in the embodiment of FIGURE 1 comprises cylindrical member 16 which includes two complementary jig sections 17, 18 hinged together at 19. Jig section 17 includes a boss 20 which extends along the length of jig edge 21. Boss 20 is adapted to seat in groove 22 which extends along the length of edge 23 of jig section 18. Jig section 17 is adapted to close upon jig section 18 by pivoting section 17 about hinge 19 in the direction of arrow "A" whereby, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, boss 20 seats in groove 22. Spacing jig 12 is made of any suitable medical grade material, such as a plastic material made by Polymer Corp., Reading, Pa, number Ultem 1000F, or other materials of choice. It must be able to withstand the temperatures to which the assembly will be subjected to stiffen the bio-absorbable material, e.g., dry heat of 150° C - 185° C or 1 hour, 120° C - 125° C, 210 k Pa; and, it also must be sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape. Jig section 17 has a plurality of spaced, first recesses 24 which extend along the length of the longitudinal axis of jig 12 when jig sections 17, 18 are in the open position shown in FIGURE 1. A plurality of second recesses 25, which are spaced from one another but which connect with the first spaced recesses 24, as seen in FIGURE 1, also extend along the longitudinal axis of jig section 17. Complementary first and second recesses 24, 25 are located along the length of jig section 18 as seen in FIGURE 1. Upon closure of jig sections 17, 18, recesses 24, 25 in jig section 17 align with corresponding recesses 24, 25 in jig section 18. Seeds 14 are adapted to be deposited or accommodated in recess 24 whereas the flexible, elongated, bio-absorbable material 15 is adapted to seat or be accommodated in recesses 25 as seen more clearly in FIGURE 7. Seeds 14 are maintained in the predetermined spaced positions at all times in the carrier assembly inasmuch as once seeds 14 are deposited in appropriate recesses 24 in jig member 12, and jig member 12 is inserted in sheath member 13, seeds 14 cannot be moved out of the recesses in any direction beyond the dimensions of recesses 24. Sheath member 13 comprises a tubular member having inner sheath surface 27 and outer sheath surface 28. The tube is of a length sufficient, when installed over jig member 12, to cover all recesses 24, 25. Preferably, the sheath member is at least equal in length to the length of spacing jig 12 and, most preferably, the outer sheath surface extends in length slightly beyond the inner sheath surface as seen in FIGURE 7. Sheath member 13 is made of medical grade stainless steel. The inner diameter of sheath member 13 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of jig member 12 so that, upon assembly, a slidable, friction fit exists between members 12 and 13 whereby, when the fully assembled carrier assembly is held in a vertical position, as seen, for example, in FIGURE 2, jig member 12 is maintained by friction in sheath member 13. In assembly, a strand of flexible, elongated bio-absorbable material 15 with spaced radioactive seeds 14 disposed therein is inserted in the appropriate recesses 24, 25 of jig section 18. Jig section 17 then is closed over jig section 18 whereby the recesses 24, 25 in section 17 close over the elongated carrier material and seeds. Jig member 12 loaded with seed carrier 11 then is inserted into tubular sheath member 13 to form the completed carrier assembly 10. Assembly 10 then is dry heated. The dry heat causes the seed carrier to become substantially rigid or non-deflecting. Following the heating process, the unitary carrier assembly, i.e., spacing jig 12 and shielding sheath 11, is deposited in a container or pouch 29 such as illustrated in FIGURE 4 or the preferred container 30 shown in FIGURE 23. Pouch 29 or container 30 then is sealed to completely enclose the carrier assembly for sterilization by ethylene oxide gas or gamma radiation. Then the assembly is shipped to a customer or site of use. FIGURES 8-10 show another embodiment of the seed carrier assembly of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, tubular sheath member 13 is disposed over hinged jig member 16. Sheath member 13 has grooves 31, 32 disposed in its outer wall contiguous to sheath member ends 33, 34. A conventional plastic or metal snap ring 35 is adapted to seat in groove 31 whereas snap ring 36 is adapted to seat in groove 32. Upon assembly, seed carrier 11 comprising seeds 14 and elongated carrier material 15, is positioned in respective recesses 24, 25. The elongated material in this particular embodiment is of a length such that the ends of the material extend beyond the respective ends 37, 38 of spacing jig member 12. Each material end 40, 41 is pulled manually upward and folded over the outer wall surface of sheath member 13, the respective material ends 40, 41 being pulled to place tension on the material ends. Material end 40 is of a length sufficient to permit it to be positioned in sheath groove 31. Similarly, material end 42 is of a length sufficient to permit it to extend across sheath groove 32. Snap ring 35 then is inserted into groove 31 and snap ring 36 is inserted into groove 32 as seen in FIGURE 9 whereby material ends 40, 41 are held under tension in grooves 31, 32. With this embodiment of the invention, tension placed on material ends 40, 41 serves to preclude the flexible material ends from contracting upon heating or autoclaving during which a semi-rigid carrier material is formed. FIGURES 11-16 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, this embodiment being more preferred than the embodiment of FIGURES 1-10, whereas the embodiment of FIGURES 20-22, inclusive, represents the most preferred embodiment of the invention. FIGURE 11 shows carrier assembly 10 which includes: (i) seed carrier 11, which includes a plurality of seeds 14 spaced at predetermined locations in bio-absorbable elongated carrier material 15, (ii) spacing jig 12, and (iii) shielding sheath member 13. Jig member 12 is a single piece, cylindrical-shaped plastic member having first recesses 24 in which seeds 14 are adapted to be inserted, and second recesses 25 into which elongated material 15 is inserted. The first and second recesses are aligned along the longitudinal length as shown in FIGURE 12. Recess 25 terminates into vertical recesses 42, 43 which traverse the respective jig member ends 37, 38. Accordingly, carrier material 15 seats in recesses 25, 42 and 43 as seen more clearly in FIGURE 14. A plurality of spaced slots 44 traverse recess 25. Each slot is of a size to receive a portion of a cutting blade or knife edge (not shown) suitable to slice or cut through elongated carrier material 15. Slots 44 preferably are spaced 1 cm. to 1 cm., center to center, so that a desired portion of seed carrier 11 may be removed from the jig member for a particular application while the remaining portion of seed carrier 11 is retained in jig member 12 until a further implant application is required. Sheath member 13 comprises two tubular sections 45, 46 and two washer members 47, 48, the latter being adapted to be inserted in sheath member sections 45, 46 respectively. Sheath section 45 is a stainless steel, tubular-shaped member having one of its two ends 49 flanged inwardly. Similarly, tubular-shaped sheath section 46, which is longer in length than sheath section 45, also is inwardly flanged at one of its two ends 50. Upon assembly, washer 48 is disposed in tubular section 46 and seats against sheath flange 50 to substantially close one end of sheath section 46. Washer 47 is disposed within tubular section 45 and seats against sheath flange 49 to substantially close one end of sheath section 45. When sheath sections 45, 46 are brought together, the remaining sheath section ends 51, 52 abut one another as seen in FIGURES 11 and 14. Upon assembly, seed carrier 11 is loaded in first and second recesses 24, 25, and vertical recesses 42 and 43 of jig member 12 [FIGURE 12]. Washer 48 is positioned against sheath flange 50 in sheath section 46. The loaded jig member is inserted into sheath section 46 until jig member end 33 abuts the inner wall surface of sheath washer 48. Washer 47 is inserted in tubular sheath section 45 and abuts sheath flange 49. Sheath section 45 then is inserted over jig member 12 until jig end 42 of jig section 45 abuts the inner wall surface of sheath washer 47 and the remaining sheath section ends 51, 52 abut one another. As in the case of the embodiments discussed previously, sheath sections 45, 46 are slidably, frictionally engageable with jig member 12 and will remain seated thereon when the assembly is placed in a vertical position [FIGURES 14, 15]. Further, recesses 24, 25, 42 and 43 are of a depth that when the elongated carrier material 15 and seeds 14 are disposed therein, the carrier and seeds preferably will not, upon assembly, contact the inner wall surface of the sheath member sections 45, 46 [FIGURE 16]. Sheath washers 47 and 48 each have a small opening 53, 54 respectively, the openings serving to permit fluid to escape from sheath member 13 during an autoclaving or heating process [FIGURE 14]. It is appreciated that while sheath member 13 has been formed of four components, two sheath member sections and two washers, one could, if desired, form each sheath section to have an inward flange at one end so that the washers 49 and 50 could be eliminated. FIGURES 17-19 show other modifications of the invention. Referring first to FIGURE 17, jig member 12 employs three, spaced sets of first and second recesses 24, 25 displaced at 0°, 90° and 270° on the outer jig wall surface. Each set of first and second recesses 24, 25 is disposed along the length of the jig member wall surface as previously discussed with respect to the jig member embodiments of FIGURES 1 and 12. In this instance, a plurality of seed carriers (three) can be assembled, autoclaved and shipped as a unit in carrier assembly 10. Jig member 12 is shown as being elliptically-shaped and is adapted to be inserted into an elliptically-shaped sheath member 13. The embodiment of FIGURE 18 discloses a carrier assembly 10 which utilizes a jig member 12 having four sets of first and second recesses 24, 25 spaced at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° for receiving four seed carriers. In this instance, the outer wall surface of the sheath member 13 is square-shaped while the inner wall surface is circular-shaped to mate with the circular shape of jig member 12. FIGURE 19 discloses an embodiment of a seed carrier assembly 10 in which sheath member 13 has a circular outer wall surface and a square-shaped inner wall surface which is slidably, frictionally engageable with the square-face outer wall surface of jig member 12. Jig member 12 utilizes three sets of first and second recesses 24, 25, one set being located on each of three of the four wall surfaces 55 of jig member 12. FIGURES 20-22, inclusive, show yet a further and most preferred embodiment of the invention. FIGURE 20 shows a carrier assembly 10 which includes sheath member 13 which comprises two components, a first sheath component 61 which serves as a receptor for the majority of spacing jig 12 and a second sheath component 61A which serves as a cap for that portion of spacing jig 12 which extends outward from first sheath component 61. Components 61, 61A are tubular members having open ends 62, 63 at one end of the respective components. The remaining respective component ends 64, 65 are recessed, FIGURE 22, to receive plugs 66, 67. Plugs 66, 67 each have small openings 53, 54 for any exhaust gases which are generated either in heating or autoclaving the carrier assembly 10. Plugs 66, 67 are press fitted into the respective recesses to provide a capped end at each of the assembled carrier assembly 10. The Spacing jig 12 of Figures 21 and 22 is similar to the spacing jig of Figure 12 and includes a plurality of spaced first recesses 24 for receipt of carrier seeds 14 and second recesses 25 for receipt of elongated carrier material 15. The first and second recesses are aligned along the longitudinal length. Recess 25 terminates at each end of the jig 12 into recesses 52, only one of which is shown, which traverse the respective jig member ends 37, 38. Upon assembly, jig member end 37 is 5 contiguous to plug 66 whereas jig member end 38 is contiguous to plug 67. Jig member 10 preferably is formed of a 0.95cm (3/8") outside diameter Ultem 1000 stock rod available from Polymer Corporation, Reading, Pa. Sheath component members 61, 61A are formed from 1.6cm x 28cm gauge (5/8" x 11"; 3mm i.e. 0.12 inch wall), No. 304 stainless steel tubing. Plug members 66, 67 are each 1.3cm (½") outside diameter stock, No. 304 stainless steel rounds having a small opening therein 5 suitable to permit the release of gases generated in any heating or autoclaving step. FIGURE 23 shows primary package container 30. Container 30 consists of two parts, a first, transparent, member 68 made from a commercially available medical grade package polymer. Member 68 is shown in a position, which is upside down of its normal position in which carrier assembly 10 is disposed in cavity 69. A plurality of finger grip openings 70 are positioned on each side of cavity 69 5 so that upon opening container 30, an individual's fingers can be placed in a pair of openings 70 to grasp carrier assembly 10 and remove it from container 30. A breathable cover 71 normally is disposed over member 68 once carrier assembly 10 is seated in cavity 69. Cover 71 serves to cover and seal carrier assembly 10 in cavity 69 and also allows for sterilization gases, such as steam or ethylene oxide, to permeate the cover material. Once the carrier assembly is placed in cavity 69, cover 71 is seated on top of member 68 and sealed in place. Once the carrier assembly is within the sealed package container 30, the entire assembly then is heated which causes the elongated carrier material holding the seeds to become substantially rigid or non-deflecting. While one or more embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that modifications and variations thereof may be effected without departing from the invention.

Claims: A carrier assembly [10] containing radioactive seeds [14] disposed within a bio-absorbable carrier material which is adapted to be inserted into a living tissue [15], characterised in that said carrier assembly comprises: (i) a seed carrier [11] comprising an elongated member [15] made of a carrier material absorbable in a living tissue and having a length substantially longer than its width; (ii) a plurality of predeterminedly spaced radioactive seeds [14] disposed within said elongated member [15] ; (iii) a jig member [12] having a plurality of first and second recesses [24,25] therein, said first recesses [24] having a shape to receive said seeds and said second recesses [25] having a shape to receive said elongated member; and, (iv) a removable sheath member [13] disposed over said jig member [12], said sheath member having inner and outer surfaces, said inner sheath member surface being in slidable contact with at least a portion of said jig member; whereby, in use, said sheath member is disengageable from said jig member and at least a portion of said elongated member including at least one seed is removable from said jig member. A carrier assembly [10] according to claim 1 in which said elongated member [15] is non-deflecting. A carrier assembly [10] according to claims 1 and 2 in which said first recesses [24] are spaced along the length of said jig member [12]. A carrier assembly according to claims 1 to 3 wherein said jig member [12] has at least one slot [44] traversing one of said second recesses [25]. A carrier assembly according to claim 4 wherein said jig member [12] has a plurality of slots [44] which are spaced an equal distance from one another. A carrier assembly according to claim 5 wherein each of said slots [44] is spaced an equal distance from one of said first recesses [24]. A carrier assembly according to claims 1-6 wherein said elongated member [15] has two ends [40,41] and means for placing tension on each of the two ends of said elongated member. A carrier assembly according to claims 1-7 in which the sheath member [13] outer surface is circular. A carrier assembly according to claims 1-8 wherein said jig member [12] has an outer surface which is circular. A carrier assembly according to claims 1-9 wherein said sheath member [13] comprises two sheath sections [45,46], each section being insertable over one of the ends of said jig member [12] . A carrier assembly according to claim 10 wherein said sheath member sections [45,46] comprise a tubular member having two ends [49,51], one of said ends [49] being flanged inwardly and said remaining end [51] being shaped to abut the corresponding second end [52] of said remaining sheath section [46] whereby said sheath member sections enclose said jig member [12]. A carrier assembly according to claims 1-11 in which said jig member [12] is in two sections [17,18] which are hinged together along the length of said sections, each section having a plurality of first and second recesses [24,25] along the length of each section such that when said sections are assembled, said recesses on said first and second jig sections are complementary with each other to form a set of first and second recesses extending along the longitudinal axis of said assembled jig member. A carrier assembly according to claims 1 to 12 further including a package container [30] into which said carrier assembly [10] is sealed. The carrier assembly of claim 13 wherein the contents of said package container [30] are sterile. A method of forming a carrier assembly [10] having a non-deflecting elongated carrier material which is absorbable in a living tissue [15] and which has at least one radioactive seed [14] disposed within said material, characterised in that said method comprises: (i) loading a carrier device [11] comprising a flexible elongated material [15] having at least one radioactive seed [14] therein into a jig member [12] having a plurality of first and second recesses [24,25] therein, said seed being positioned in said first recesses [24] and said elongated material being positioned in said second recesses [25]; and, (ii) assembling a sheath member [13] having inner and outer surfaces over said loaded jig member whereby at least a portion of said sheath member inner surface contacts said jig member [12]. (iii) heating said carrier assembly [10] sufficiently to make the flexible elongated material [15] non-deflecting. The method of claim 15 further including the step of removing the sheath member [13] and cutting said non-deflecting elongated material while said material is in said jig member [12] and removing a portion of said elongated material [15] and at least one seed [14] from said jig member.

Inventors: LANGTON MICHAEL A, LYMAN FRANK J, REED JAY C, LANGTON, MICHAEL A., LYMAN, FRANK J., REED, JAY C.
Applicants: AMERSHAM HOLDINGS INC, AMERSHAM HOLDINGS, INC.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A61N5
IPC codes: A61M36, G21G4, A61N5