Patent ID: 7922646

Claim:
An implantable brachytherapy source for use in radiation treatment of an affected tissue region, said implantable brachytherapy source comprising a functional unit having one or more ball joints, and a biocompatible capsule having two ends, said biocompatible capsule having a socket at each end adapted to be affixed to a ball joint of said functional unit to form a linear strand or a planar array, wherein said biocompatible capsule is made of mechanically strong, biocompatible, plastic material that is transparent to therapeutic radiation, and wherein said biocompatible capsule contains therein a radioactive seed comprising: (a) an epoxy based fluid carrier that is resistant to radiation polymerization in its fluid phase, but can be induced to solidify by raising its temperature; (b) a marker visible by x-ray, ultrasound, or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; and (c) a source of therapeutic radiation comprising a radioactive isotope selected from the group consisting of Pd-103, I-125, and Cs-131; wherein said radioactive isotope is substantially uniformly mixed in said fluid carrier.