[ RadSafe ] Re: Permanent radioactive implants

[Chris Alston]

Franz

The Pd-103 is contained within the seeds; one brand uses a graphite matrix, with a Pb marker in the center for easy location by x-ray.  The seeds themselves are titanium, as with many, if not most, metallic implants.  In this case, I don't know what the strands, which in turn contain the seeds, are made of.  But, one brand of stranded seeds for permanent implant uses Vicryl, which is similar to surgical suture material.  Eventually, it dissolves, and is disposed of by the body; harmlessly as far as anyone can tell.

Cheers
cja


>>> Franz Schönhofer <franz.schoenhofer at chello.at> 08/23/07 03:15PM >>> 
However this link provokes questions. Being a non-native speaker I have 
problems with the expression "stranded seeds". 70 seeds seems to be a rather 
large number. Of course Pd is an extremely inert metal, but were the seeds 
metallic Pd?


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