US Patent 7011619 Apparatus and methods for radiotherapy

The invention provides the use of a radiation source which is a low energy X-ray emitter, e.g. with an energy of emission of the principal photon in the range of 20 to 100 keV, preferably 20 to 40 keV and with a half life of 10 to 100 days, preferably 15 to 70 days, for the treatment of restenosis. Suitable radioisotopes include palladium-103, dysprosium-159, samarium-145, cadmium-109, ytterbium-169 and preferably iodine-125. High activity radioactive bodies and sources comprising such radioisotopes, and methods for the manufacture of such sources, are also disclosed.