BRACHYTHERAPY SEED APPLICATORS
The invention features brachytherapy applicators for delivering radioactive seeds to a patient. Specifically, the invention provides brachytherapy applicators in which a seed magazine is removably held within a chuck by a magazine retaining structure. The magazine retaining structures described herein are designed such that a seed magazine can be readily inserted into or removed from a brachytherapy applicator. In addition, magazine retaining structures are designed such that they will not become jammed, even when blood cells or other particles enter the applicator during a brachytherapy procedure and become lodged near the seed magazine and the magazine retaining structure.