Implants for use in brachytherapy and other radiation therapy that resist migration and rotation

Abstract

In an embodiment a therapeutic member includes a single radioactive seed and is adapted to be implanted into patient tissue using a hollow needle. The seed includes a metallic housing with radioactive material contained within the metallic housing. A polymeric bio-adherent and/or bio-adhesive material surrounds at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed. The polymeric bio-adherent and/or bio-adhesive material reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation of the member.

1 . An implantable therapeutic member configured to be implanted in a similar manner as loose radioactive seeds are implanted, for use in brachytherapy, comprising:
 a single radioactive seed including a metallic housing with radioactive material contained within the metallic housing; and   a polymeric bio-adherent material surrounding at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed;   wherein the implantable therapeutic member is adapted to be implanted into patient tissue using a hollow needle; and   wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material, which surrounds at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed, reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation of the member.   
   
   
       2 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material completely encapsulates the housing of the single radioactive seed. 
   
   
       3 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material is molded to completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed. 
   
   
       4 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the single radioactive seed has a first length; and   the encapsulating polymeric bio-adherent material causes the implantable therapeutic member to have a second length that is greater than the first length.   
   
   
       5 . The therapeutic member of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic housing of the single radioactive seed has a substantially smooth outer surface. 
   
   
       6 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material does not completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed. 
   
   
       7 . An implantable therapeutic member configured to be implanted in a similar manner as loose radioactive seeds are implanted, for use in brachytherapy, comprising:
 a single radioactive seed including a metallic housing with radioactive material contained within the metallic housing; and   a polymeric bio-adhesive material surrounding at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed;   wherein the implantable therapeutic member is adapted to be implanted into patient tissue using a hollow needle; and   wherein the polymeric bio-adherent material, which surrounds at least a portion the housing of the single radioactive seed, reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation of the member.   
   
   
       8 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric bio-adhesive material completely encapsulates the housing of the single radioactive seed. 
   
   
       9 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric bio-adhesive material is molded to completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed. 
   
   
       10 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the single radioactive seed has a first length; and   the encapsulating polymeric bio-adhesive material causes the implantable therapeutic member to have a second length that is greater than the first length.   
   
   
       11 . The therapeutic member of  claim 7 , wherein the metallic housing of the single radioactive seed has a substantially smooth outer surface. 
   
   
       12 . The implantable therapeutic member of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric bio-adhesive material does not completely encapsulate the housing of the single radioactive seed.