Hinged spacer element for joining radioactive seeds used in treatment of cancer

摘要

The spacer element (10) includes a central portion (16) and two end portions (18, 20). The spacer element is generally cylindrical in configuration and the two end sections are adapted to receive and hold a portion of radioactive seed elements (12, 14). The spacer element comprises two half-portions (22, 24) joined by a hinge element (26) positioned along a longitudinal edge of the spacer element. The two half-portions rotate about the longitudinal hinge element, moving from an open position, in which the radioactive seeds can be loaded by an operator into the spacer element, to a closed position, in which the radioactive seeds are held in the spacer element. A plurality of seeds and spacers can thus be conveniently assembled into a series string thereof for loading into a needle and subsequent insertion into the prostate.