Patent ID: 7288061

Claim:
Device for implanting at least one row of X radioactive seeds and Y non-radioactive spacers with X∈[1, 2, . . . ] and Y∈[0, 1, . . . ] in a desired configuration to a desired location in an animal body for effecting radiation therapy of cancerous tissue in said body, said device comprising: a) at least one elongated hollow needle with an open distal end to be inserted towards said desired location in the body and with a proximal end to be connected to a seed loading apparatus; b) at least one tube-shaped sleeve member with an open distal end and an open proximal end to be slidably received within said hollow needle toward said desired location; c) at least one pushing element for implanting during retraction of the elongated hollow needle said row of radioactive seeds and non-radioactive spacers from said seed loading apparatus through said hollow needle and said tube-shaped sleeve member towards said location, d) at least one tube-shaped element with at least one open end to be inserted by said tube-shaped sleeve member through said hollow needle towards said desired location; and wherein said tube-shaped element serves to accommodate said row of radioactive seeds and non-radioactive spacers after implantation.