Patent ID: 7540998

Claim:
A method of sterilizing a brachytherapy device comprising the steps of: assembling the brachytherapy device by loading a radioactive seed implant into a delivery needle; arranging a gas permeable safety plug over a distal end of the delivery needle; inserting a stylet into a proximal end of the needle so that a portion of the stylet extends out from the delivery needle; positioning the brachytherapy device in a tray by securing the distal end of the delivery needle to the tray and securing the portion of the stylet to the tray so as to resist relative movement of the stylet and the delivery needle; packaging the brachytherapy device and the tray in a gas permeable package; exposing the brachytherapy device and the package to a sterilizing gas; sterilizing the brachytherapy device using a set of process parameters that provide a prescribed level of sterilization; and parametrically releasing the brachytherapy device from the sterilization process.