| abstract |
Past techniques utilized wet chemistry to produce a carrier-free radioisotope for a seed implant. However, by using the technique of ion implantation, it is possible to physically separate the precursor isotope by magnetic means and further, to physically direct a beam of these isotopically pure atoms and to embed them into a suitable carrier body. Thus, formation of the seed implant may be accomplished using dry techniques, that is, no liquid chemistry. The systems and methods disclosed herein are designed to produce a beam of a single stable isotope using an ion implanter and to further implant this single stable isotope below the surface of a carrier body. After neutron activation, these single stable isotopes will produce the isotopes iodine-125, palladium-103, cesium-131, or ytterbium-169 embedded within the carrier body. Optionally, the carrier body may be encapsulated prior to activating the precursor isotope embedded in the carrier body. |