Palladium Pd-103

Specifications at a Glance

Model	MED3633 PROSPERA®
Dimensions	4.5 mm long, 0.8 mm outside diameter, 0.05 mm wall (dimensions are Nominal)
Encapsulation	Titanium
Carrier for Pd-103	Four (4) Resin beads
X-ray Marker	Two (2) Gold beads
Photon Energies	20-23 keV X-rays, auger electrons
Assay Method	Calibration to NIST traceable source of the same model using a well re-entrant chamber
Source Strengths	Model Pd-103 0.95 - 2.70 U

 

Physical Characteristics

Each Prospera® Pd-103 Brachytherapy Source (Model MED3633) consists of a welded titanium capsule containing Pd-103 absorbed onto four resin beads with two inactive gold beads serving as x-ray markers identifying source location and orientation. The two markers are located at the center of the capsule (see Figure). PROSPERA® sources have a half-life of 16.99 days ¹ and decay by electron capture with the emission of characteristic x-rays at 20 - 23 keV and Auger electrons. The electrons are absorbed by the titanium wall of the capsule. Decay factors for activity calculations are provided in the "Palladium Decay Chart," which is included in the product information data sheet packaged with each PROSPERA® shipment. PROSPERA® sources are supplied in the following convenient configurations:

• Loose, non-sterile
• Non-sterile loaded in C20™, 20-seed shielded disposable cartridges for the Mick® applicator
• Non-sterile loaded in Mick® disposable cartridges
• Prescription loaded and sterilized, stranded or loose
• Sterile loaded in IsoCartridge® with synthetic spacers

Non-sterile seeds must be sterilized prior to use. Please refer to the Instructions for Use (IFU) for sterilization information.

 

Calibration and Quality Assurance

Calibration

Output Ranges for Prospera® Pd-103 Sources
Apparent Activity (mCi)	Air Kerma Strength (U or µGY m2/h)
0.73 – 0.81	0.95 – 1.04
0.81 - 0.89	1.04 –1.15
0.89 – 0.98	1.15 –1.26
0.98 – 1.07	1.26 – 1.39
1.07 – 1.18	1.39 – 1.53
1.18 – 1.30	1.53 – 1.68
1.30 –1.43	1.68 –1.84
1.43 – 1.57	1.85 – 2.03
1.57 – 1.73	2.03 – 2.23
1.73 – 1.90	2.23 – 2.45
1.90 – 2.09	2.46 – 2.70

Each Prospera® Pd-103 brachytherapy source is calibrated in a pressurized ionization chamber and sorted into an appropriate range. The efficiency used for calibration was established through intercomparison with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST measured the source for Air Kerma Strength using a wide-angled-free-air chamber at the direction perpendicular to the long axis of the source and in such a way that the titanium x-rays were eliminated. This source was then used as a reference to establish the efficiency of pressurized ionization chambers used for calibration of Prospera® brachytherapy seeds of identical geometry. The resulting calibration is reported in Air Kerma Strength (µGy m² /h) as well as Apparent Activity (mCi). Air Kerma Strength is converted to Apparent Activity using the equivalence of 1 mCi(app) = 1.293U (µGy m² /h). ²

Quality Assurance

Each PROSPERA® source is 100% visually inspected, gauged for proper length and diameter, cleaned for surface contaminants and leak tested prior to shipment.

Technical Data

The following technical data sets are available for PROSPERA® sources upon request:

• Activity decay chart
• Consensus Data Set
• TG-43 Data Set
• Monte Carlo Data Set
• Nomogram

 

 

 

 

1 As per Ionizing Radiation Division Group at NIST.

2 R. Nath, L.L. Anderson, G. Luxton, K.A. Weaver, J.F. Williamson, and A.S. Meigooni. Dosimetry of interstitial brachytherapy sources: Recommendations of the AAPM Radiation Therapy/Committee Task Group No. 43. Medical Physics, 22 pp. 209-234.

 

Prospera Pd-103 seeds manufactured by:

Chatsworth, CA 91311