Fabrication of radioactive stents by ion implantation

Abstract

Worldwide about one million patients require treatment of stenosed coronary arteries annually. Often a tubular stainless steel mesh (stent) is implanted to mechanically support the injured vessel. Restenosis, an abundant complication (20%–30%) can be prevented, if the vessel is treated with ionizing radiation. Stents can deliver radiation if they are made radioactive. The radio isotope P32 is well suited when ion implanted. Radioactive ions sources require high efficiency to keep the radioactive inventory small. Reliability, ease of operation, and maintenance are mandatory. A small emittance is important to minimize losses during mass separation and beam transport. A 2.45 GHz ECR source was developed for the implantation of P32. The source consists of two coils for the axial and a permanent hexapole for the radial confinement. The microwaves are fed in radially by a loop connected to a silver plated brass tube surrounding the plasma chamber. The plasma chamber is made from Pyrex. Neutron activated phosphorus, containing 30 ppm P32, is introduced from the rear end on a rod. As support gas D2 is used. By this P+32 can be separated from (31PD)+. The extraction is done in two steps: 60 kV–30 kV–ground. Mass separation is accomplished by a double focusing 90° magnet (radius 500 mm). During four years of operation about 1000 radioactive stents per year have been provided for animal experiments and clinical trials. Only one maintenance to exchange the extraction system due to degradation of high voltage stability was required so far.