Polymer coatings for brachytherapy devices
Inventors
Kelson, Itzhak • Keisari, Yona • Schmidt, Michael • Berkowitz, Avia
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11529432-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Described embodiments include an apparatus (20, 21), which includes a support (22), including an outer surface (24) and configured for insertion into a body of a subject. The apparatus further includes multiple atoms (26) of a radionuclide, which radioactively decays to produce a daughter radionuclide, coupled to the outer surface, and a layer (28, 33) of a polymer, which is permeable to the daughter radionuclide, that covers the atoms. Other embodiments are also described.
Core Innovation
Embodiments describe brachytherapy devices that include a subject-insertable support coated with radionuclide atoms. The radionuclide atoms radioactively decay to produce a daughter radionuclide, and the daughter radionuclide is configured to diffuse from the inner polymer structure through an outer polymer structure.
The devices use an inner layer of an inner polymer that coats the support and allows diffusion of the daughter radionuclide therethrough. Radionuclide atoms are coupled to an outer surface of the inner layer, and an outer layer of an outer polymer covers the atoms to protect the atoms from being washed away while still allowing diffusion of the daughter radionuclide through the outer layer.
Single-layer configurations specify the permeable polymer layer that allows daughter diffusion while protecting against wash-away, and dual-layer configurations add an additional permeable polymer layer and an outer protective polymer layer. The disclosed results indicate improved daughter radionuclide desorption compared to single-layer devices.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: an apparatus claim and two method claims. Across these independent claims, the inventive concept is implemented as an inner polymer layer that allows daughter radionuclide diffusion, radionuclide atoms coupled to the inner polymer surface, and an outer polymer layer that protects the atoms from being washed away while allowing daughter radionuclide diffusion.
Support with inner polymer diffusion layer and outer polymer wash-away protection
A support, configured for insertion into a body of a subject; an inner layer of an inner polymer, which coats the support; multiple atoms of a radionuclide, which radioactively decays to produce a daughter radionuclide, coupled to an outer surface of the inner layer, the inner layer allowing diffusion of the daughter radionuclide therethrough; and an outer layer of an outer polymer, which covers the atoms so as to protect the atoms from being washed away, yet allows diffusion of the daughter radionuclide through the outer layer.
Sequential coating, radionuclide deposition, and outer polymer covering for diffusion
Coating an outer surface of a support, which is configured for insertion into a body of a subject, with an inner layer of an inner polymer; depositing multiple atoms of a radionuclide, which radioactively decays to produce a daughter radionuclide, onto an outer surface of the inner layer, the inner layer allowing diffusion of the daughter radionuclide therethrough; and covering the atoms with an outer layer of an outer polymer that protects the atoms from being washed away, yet allows diffusion of the daughter radionuclide through the outer layer.
Insert and leave radiation source for in-body daughter radionuclide diffusion
Inserting a radiation source into a body of a subject, the radiation source including a support, an inner layer of an inner polymer, which coats the support, multiple atoms of a radionuclide, which radioactively decays to produce a daughter radionuclide, coupled to an outer surface of the inner layer, the inner layer allowing diffusion of the daughter radionuclide therethrough, and an outer layer of an outer polymer, which covers the atoms so as to protect the atoms from being washed away, yet allows diffusion of the daughter radionuclide through the outer layer; and leaving the radiation source within the body of the subject, such that nuclei of the daughter radionuclide diffuse through the outer layer.
All independent claims share the same structural diffusion-and-protection arrangement: inner polymer diffusion of the daughter radionuclide coupled with an outer polymer that protects radionuclide atoms from being washed away while still permitting daughter radionuclide diffusion. The apparatus claim defines the device structure, while the method claims define sequential coating, deposition, outer-layer covering, and insertion and leaving of the radiation source so that daughter radionuclide nuclei diffuse through the outer layer.
Stated Advantages
Improved daughter radionuclide desorption/diffusion compared to single-layer devices, as indicated by measured radon desorption probabilities (about 50% for single-layer devices and about 88% for double-layer devices).
Protection of radionuclide atoms from being washed away while allowing diffusion of the daughter radionuclide through the outer layer.
Enables reduced radionuclide loading in the disclosed dual-layer configuration.
Documented Applications
Brachytherapy devices in which a radiation source is configured for insertion into a body of a subject.
Delivery and diffusion of daughter radionuclide nuclei while the radiation source remains within the body, including insertion positioned within a tumor inside the body.
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