Iron garnet nanoparticles and or iron garnet particles containing various activatable nuclides, such as holmium-165 (.sup.165Ho) and dysprosium-164 (.sup.164Dy), are disclosed in this application. The iron garnet (e.g., HoIG and DyIG) nanoparticles and iron garnet particles can prepared using hydroxide co-precipitation methods. In some embodiments, radiosensitizers can be loaded on radioactive magnetic nanoparticles or radioactive iron garnet particles and, optionally, coated with suitable lipid bilayers. Methods of using the disclosed nanoparticles and particles for mediating therapeutic benefit in diseases responsive to radiation therapy are also provided. Another aspect of the invention provides films, electrospun fabrics or bandage coverings for the delivery of radiation to the site of a skin lesion amenable to treatment with radiation (e.g., skin cancers or psoriasis).

A prosthesis, radiation bolus, pre-surgical model, or burn mask formed using a rapid prototyping device, such as a three-dimensional printer. In some exemplary aspects, the prosthesis includes a scaffolding and a coating at least partially covering the scaffolding. Methods and systems for forming the prosthesis, radiation bolus, pre-surgical model, or burn mask are also provided.

New compositions of tissue-equivalent three-dimensional polymer gel dosimeters based on acrylamide (AAm), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), N-(Hydroxymethyl)acrylamide (NHMA), diacetone acrylamide (DAAM) and N-Vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) monomer with ethylene glycol co-solvent have been introduced in this invention for radiotherapy dosimetry. The dosimeter was irradiated with 6 and 15 MV linear accelerator at absorbed doses up to 10 Gy. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-spin relaxation rate (R.sub.2) for water proton surrounding polymer formation was used to investigate the degree of polymerization of the five gels. The effect of additives, dose rate, radiation energy, stability of the polymerization after irradiation, were investigated on the dose response of the gels.

Iron garnet nanoparticles and or iron garnet particles containing various activatable nuclides, such as holmium-165 (.sup.165Ho) and dysprosium-164 (.sup.164Dy), are disclosed in this application. The iron garnet (e.g., HoIG and DyIG) nanoparticles and iron garnet particles can prepared using hydroxide co-precipitation methods. In some embodiments, radiosensitizers can be loaded on radioactive magnetic nanoparticles or radioactive iron garnet particles and, optionally, coated with suitable lipid bilayers. Methods of using the disclosed nanoparticles and particles for mediating therapeutic benefit in diseases responsive to radiation therapy are also provided. Another aspect of the invention provides films, electrospun fabrics or bandage coverings for the delivery of radiation to the site of a skin lesion amenable to treatment with radiation (e.g., skin cancers or psoriasis).

Radiation therapy devices, systems and methods are in general sheet-like form, are characterized by flexibility, and include at least one spacer that can be a balloon or bubble that assists in placement of radio therapeutic members at desired treatment locations along or around a limb, within an existing body cavity, or at a site that was formed under a patient's skin for treatment purposes. Sarcoma treatment is particularly conducive to treatment by these devices, systems and methods. One or more detectors, such as microdiodes, are accommodated when desired on the device, and a hyperthermia tube or the like is also includable that delivers hyperthermia treatment for the target treatment site or sites. Data collected by the detector allows the medical professional to monitor radiation treatment and, when desired, interaction between hyperthermia treatment and radiation delivery by the radiation treatment member.

A source of light energy such as a source of violet light energy is coupled to a structure configured to contact the eye. The light source and structure are arranged to provide therapeutic amounts of violet light energy to the eye in order to inhibit the progression of refractive error such as myopia. The light source can be configured in many ways and may comprise a radioisotope and a phosphorescent material. The structure configured to contact the eye may comprise a contact lens or an implant.

Radiation therapy devices, systems and methods are in general sheet-like form, are characterized by flexibility, and include at least one spacer that can be a balloon or bubble that assists in placement of radio therapeutic members at desired treatment locations along or around a limb, within an existing body cavity, or at a site that was formed under a patient's skin for treatment purposes. Sarcoma treatment is particularly conducive to treatment by these devices, systems and methods. One or more detectors, such as microdiodes, are accommodated when desired on the device, and a hyperthermia tube or the like is also includable that delivers hyperthermia treatment for the target treatment site or sites. Data collected by the detector allows the medical professional to monitor radiation treatment and, when desired, interaction between hyperthermia treatment and radiation delivery by the radiation treatment member.

A novel treatment method is disclosed, wherein a patch configured to be placed on a patient's skin is activated, before placement, to deliver localized radiotherapy to a diseased area of the skin. The disclosed devices and methods minimize or prevent collateral damage to the neighboring tissues. In most cases, the disclosed devices and methods include coating a contoured, solid, flexible or conformal substrate with one or more lanthanide elements and then activating (e.g. neutron irradiation) the elements such that its resulting radioisotope emits beta-particles into the diseased skin surface when applied to the patient's skin. Novel processes are described for fabricating and irradiating the lanthanide-based skin patch, for example a holmium-based skin patch.

The disclosure relates to an improved brachytherapy device, methods of preparation, and uses thereof. M ore particularly, a flexible bioresorbable brachytherapy device is provided for application on a wound site in a subject. The device includes a sealed radioactive source having opposite first and second sides, wherein the sealed radioactive source includes a radioactive component comprising a plurality of radio-isotope particles dispersed within a carrier. A barrier surrounds the radioactive component providing the sealed radioactive source, wherein the barrier functions as a barrier, when implanted at the wound site, providing the sealed radioactive source for at least six half-lives of the plurality of radio-isotope particles. A bioresorbable shield located on the first side of the sealed radioactive source is configured to shield radioactivity when implanted at the wound site for at least six half-lives of the plurality of radio-isotope particles.

A novel treatment method is disclosed, wherein a patch configured to be placed on a patient's skin is activated, before placement, to deliver localized radiotherapy to a diseased area of the skin. The disclosed devices and methods minimize or prevent collateral damage to the neighboring tissues. In most cases, the disclosed devices and methods include coating a contoured, solid, flexible or conformal substrate with one or more lanthanide elements and then activating (e.g. neutron irradiation) the elements such that its resulting radioisotope emits beta-particles into the diseased skin surface when applied to the patient's skin. Novel processes are described for fabricating and irradiating the lanthanide-based skin patch, for example a holmium-based skin patch.