Pre-loading Iodine seeds in applicators

["Radiological Health Unit" <raldrich@emi.com>]

I'm interested in getting list-members views on the practice of pre-loading
I-125 seeds into implantation devices (applicators) at commercial
radiopharmacies.

Does anyone have experience with this? 
What QA procedures should the end user follow to ensure the correct number
of seeds and activity? 
What about sterilization? 
What are the likely pitfalls? 
Are there problems specific to certain manufacturers' devices?
What advantages are there to this practice? 

Your response to these and any other comments on the subject would be
greatly appreciated. Respond to me directly or to RADSAFE if you think it
might be of general interest.

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Clayton Bradt<raldrich@emi.com>        phone: 518/457-1202
Assoc. Radiophysicist                         fax:      518/485-7406
NYS Dept. of Labor
Radiological Health Unit
Blg.12, Rm 134A
State Office Campus
Albany, NY 12240
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