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Brachytherapy is the use of radiotherapy with insertion of radiation sources close to the site that needs treatment. It has become an extremely sought-after option by research fields for its impressive efficiency and practicality. In addition to being a fast-paced procedure, it allows patients to leave hospital care very soon after it is done, without pain or with minor discomfort, which can be considered an advantage. The brachytherapy procedure is divided into two stages, obtaining images of the region where seed implantation will take place and the application itself. The images are obtained by ultrasonography, which will guide the insertion of the needle into the patient's body. During the injection, the patient is anesthetized and immobilized, so that movements that compromise the accuracy of the needle, which, by the current manual method, are already subject to oscillations are avoided. Currently the application of radioactive seeds is done manually by a clinician who uses needles and monitors their positions through the images generated by ultrasound equipment. Thus, the main objective of this project was to improve the prototype of the Prostate Seed Implantation System (SISP), developed by the Nuclear Engineering Department of the UFMG (Nuclear Engineering Department). Thus, the device allows automated scanning on x, y and z axes, facilitating the application of radioactive seeds in prostate brachytherapy treatments, which in current treatments are done manually by the clinician. And the possibility of controlling this movement via BLUETOOTH technology.

This work presents the development of an automatic radioactive seed implantation system (PSIS). PSIS may assist the testing permanent implants procedure in the prostate. These tests will be important in measurements of absorbed doses in the pelvic structures, involving the organs and tissues at risk to improve planning, seed positioning and dosimetry. The automated Prostate Seed Implant System (PSIS) has been designed to meet operational needs, which offers the freedom when positioning the brachytherapy needle inside the treatment area ensuring repeatability and fidelity to the planned treatment. Both the ultrasound probe and the seed implant needle are driven by stepper motors, ATMEGA microcontroller, bearings, aluminum shafts and a GUI (Graphical User Interface). Movement of both the probe and the needle holder was performed by fixed spindle on a threaded rod going through a stepper motors by a coupling. These engines were chosen due to the necessity of movements precision that these types of motors provide. The project was developed and the PSIS prototype was assembled. The prototype presented acceptable operating characteristics for prostate implants. The advantage of this system is that the automation of the application provides an accurate positioning and movement of both probe and seed application. In addition to this study, seeds implantation tests will be performed, and such tests will be essential in protocol validation processes.