US5924974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elongated radioactive element to be attached to an end of an elongated wire-shaped element
Assignee: Optische Industrie de Oude Delft NV
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Filing: 1996-12-23
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Granted: 1999-07-20
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Expires: 2016-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An elongated radioactive element to be fastened to one end of an elongated wire-shaped element, and provided with a front retaining part, a connecting part, and a rear retaining part, as well as segment-shaped elements which are radioactive or are to be made radioactive, which are provided with a center bore and which, enclosed between the front and rear retaining parts, are placed, one behind the other, by means of the center bore over the connecting part and can tilt with respect to each other, all in such a manner that the radioactive element is an elongated member which is supple and flexible over the greatest part of its length, coupling means being provided for connecting the radioactive element to the elongated wire-shaped element.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgar G. Loffler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; A61N5/1002; A61N2005/1019; A61N2005/1025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An elongated, radioactive element for radiotherapy comprising: a front retaining element, a connecting element, a rear retaining element, radioactive segment-shaped elements having a center bore, positioned on said connecting element between said front and said rear retaining elements, angularly displaceable with respect to adjacent radioactive segment-shaped elements thereby providing a supple and flexible radioactive element; an elongated wire-shaped element; and coupling means for connecting said radioactive element to said elongated wire-shaped element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
An elongated, radioactive element for radiotherapy comprising: a front retaining element, a connecting element, a rear retaining element, radioactive segment-shaped elements having a center bore, positioned on said connecting element between said front and said rear retaining elements, angularly displaceable with respect to adjacent radioactive segment-shaped elements thereby providing a supple and flexible radioactive element; an elongated wire-shaped element; and coupling means for connecting said radioactive element to said elongated wire-shaped element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 1, wherein each segment-shaped element has the shape of a helical wire element forming an elongated supple, flexible radioactive member having the shape of a coil spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 1, wherein each segment-shaped element is bead-shaped and provided with a threaded center bore, each bead having a decreasing cross section in direction away from said center bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 3, wherein each said bead is in cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 3 comprised in that each said bead is the shape of a toroidal body of revolution having a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 1, wherein said connecting element comprises a wire connecting said front retaining element and said rear retaining element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 6, wherein said wire has a diameter less than, the diameter of said center bore in said segment-shaped elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 7, wherein said wire forms an extension of said elongated wire-shaped element and said front and rear retaining elements comprise sleeve elements which can be secured on said elongated wire-shaped element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 7, wherein said front and rear retaining elements comprise sleeve elements which can be secured on said wire, said rear retaining element being provided with said coupling means for connection to said elongated wire-shaped element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 9, wherein said coupling means comprises an end plane having a surface equal to the cross section of said elongated wire-shaped element, said rear retaining element and said elongated wire-shaped element adapted to interconnect.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 9, wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling element having an outside diameter equal to that of said elongated wire-shaped element and is secured thereto said coupling element having a bore for receipt of a step-shaped locking element for securing said radioactive element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 2, wherein said connecting element is a wire having a diameter less than the diameter of said center bore of said segment-shaped members having the shape of said coil spring said front retaining element and said rear retaining element being provided with opposing centering collars having an outside diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of said center bore in said coil spring-shaped radioactive member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The elongated radioactive element according to claim 3, wherein each said bead is elliptical in cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
WO1995007732A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-07-19 | 2003-01-18 | 2003-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-19 | 2007-01-18 | 2007-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-19 | 2011-01-18 | 2011-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |