Formable integral source material for medical devices

Abstract

The present invention provides an integral source material having at least one nuclide that is activatable by exposure to irradiation. The nuclide is a chemically bound constituent of a polymer making up the integral source material. Thus, the integral source material can be configured before activation into a medical device or component.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An integral source material having at least one nuclide that is activatable by exposure to radiation, the nuclide is a chemically bound constituent of a polymer of the integral source material, wherein the integral source material is configured before activation to provide a medical device.  
     
     
         2 . The integral source material according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical devices are radioactive tubes for irradiation of liquids.  
     
     
         3 . The integral source material according to  claim 1 , wherein the devices are radioactive fabrics or meshes made by weaving fibers or filaments of the integral source material.  
     
     
         4 . The integral source material according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a radioactive stent.  
     
     
         5 . The integral source material according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a brachytherapy seed.  
     
     
         6 . The integral source material according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, acrylates, polyurethane, polyphenylene oxide blends, polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, phenyletheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyphenylmetallosiloxane, fluorine containing polyphosphazenes and liquid crystal polymer.  
     
     
         7 . The integral source material according to  claim 1 , wherein the nuclide is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Li, Na, C, F, Al, P, S, Cl, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Tc, Rh, Pd, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Eu, Gd, Re, Ir, Au, Hg, Pb, Bi, Po and Am.  
     
     
         8 . The integral source material according to  claim 4 , wherein the polymer is polyarylene ether phosphine oxide and the nuclide is P.  
     
     
         9 . A radioactive stent comprising a generally cylindrical thin-walled structure, the stent including a base matrix polymer having at least one nuclide as a chemically bound constituent thereof, the nuclide capable of being activated by exposure to radiation.  
     
     
         10 . The radioactive stent according to  claim 9 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, acrylates, polyurethane, polyphenylene oxide blends, polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, phenyletheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyphenylmetallosiloxane, fluorine containing polyphosphazenes and liquid crystal polymer.  
     
     
         11 . The radioactive stent according to  claim 9 , wherein the nuclide is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Li, Na, C, F, Al, P, S, Cl, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Tc, Rh, Pd, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Eu, Gd, Re, Ir, Au, Hg, Pb, Bi, Po and Am.  
     
     
         12 . The radioactive stent according to  claim 9 , wherein the polymer is polyarylene ether phosphine oxide and the nuclide is P.  
     
     
         13 . A method of inhibiting stenosis or restenosis at a vessel wall of a patient comprising: 
 (a) providing a radioactive stent comprising a generally cylindrical thin-walled structure, the stent including a base matrix polymer having at least one nuclide as a chemical constituent thereof, the nuclide capable of being activated by exposure to radiation;    (b) activating the nuclide by exposing the inactive stent to ionizing radiation to provide a radioactive stent; and    (c) inserting the radioactive stent into a vessel of a patient so that the vessel wall is exposed to radiation thereby inhibiting restenosis.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, acrylates, polyurethane, polyphenylene oxide blends, polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, phenyletheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyphenylmetallosiloxane, fluorine containing polyphosphazenes and liquid crystal polymer.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the nuclide is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Li, Na, C, F, Al, P, S, Cl, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Tc, Rh, Pd, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Eu, Gd, Re, Ir, Au, Hg, Pb, Bi, Po and Am.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the polymer is polyarylene ether phosphine oxide and the nuclide is P.  
     
     
         17 . A radiation-emitting brachytherapy device comprising a seed, wherein the seed is formed from a base polymer matrix having a nuclide as a chemical constituent, the nuclide activatable by exposure to ionizing radiation.  
     
     
         18 . The radiation-emitting brachytherapy device according to  claim 17 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, acrylates, polyurethane, polyphenylene oxide blends, polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, phenyletheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyphenylmetallosiloxane, fluorine containing polyphosphazenes and liquid crystal polymer.  
     
     
         19 . The radiation-emitting brachytherapy device according to  claim 17 , wherein the nuclide is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Li, Na, C, F, Al, P, S, Cl, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Tc, Rh, Pd, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Eu, Gd, Re, Ir, Au, Hg, Pb, Bi, Po and Am.  
     
     
         20 . A radiation-emitting brachytherapy device comprising a sealed capsule having a portion therein, wherein the portion includes a base polymer having a nuclide as a chemical constituent, the nuclide activatable by exposure to ionizing radiation.  
     
     
         21 . The radiation-emitting brachytherapy device according to  claim 20 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, acrylates, polyurethane, polyphenylene oxide blends, polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, phenyletheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyphenylmetallosiloxane, fluorine containing polyphosphazenes and liquid crystal polymer.  
     
     
         22 . The radiation-emitting brachytherapy device according to  claim 21 , wherein the nuclide is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Li, Na, C, F, Al, P, S, Cl, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Tc, Rh, Pd, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Eu, Gd, Re, Ir, Au, Hg, Pb, Bi, Po and Am.  
     
     
         23 . A radiation-emitting brachytherapy device adapted for use in combination with a balloon catheter, the radiation emitting device disposed in the balloon catheter and including a base matrix polymer having a nuclide as a chemical constituent thereof, the nuclide capable of being activated by exposure to ionizing radiation.  
     
     
         24 . The radiation-emitting brachytherapy device according to  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, acrylates, polyurethane, polyphenylene oxide blends, polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, phenyletheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyphenylmetallosiloxane, fluorine containing polyphosphazenes and liquid crystal polymer.  
     
     
         25 . The radiation-emitting brachytherapy device according to  claim 24 , wherein the nuclide is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Li, Na, C, F, Al, P, S, Cl, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Tc, Rh, Pd, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Eu, Gd, Re, Ir, Au, Hg, Pb, Bi, Po and Am.