A method of preparation a seed-less active insert of iodine-125 ophthalmic applicator is described. Internal electrolysis was applied for fixing iodine-125 on the concave surface of the silver shell which is afterwards hermetically sealed inside a spherically shaped acrylic insert. The current-voltage characteristics of the galvanic cell used for deposition of silver iodide were determined. The results of the measurements of the energy spectra of the radiation emitted by a seed-less and seed-containing applicator are presented. The iodine-125 surface distribution uniformity on a silver shell was measured. The depth dose rate measurements indicate that the total activity incorporated in a seed-less applicator can be lower than that in seed-containing, while simultaneously assuring the desired dose rate.
Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.