Brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using them

• US 10,201,716 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2010
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cianna Medical Inc. (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cianna Medical Inc. (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hermann, George D., Chi Sing, Eduardo, Lebovic, Gail S., Cole, Mark A., Ritchart, Mark A., Nguyen, Than
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilbert, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US12/982,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20110137103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,966 Days
• Field of Search: 600 1- 8, 600 37, 602 79, 604 21, 604104, 606 15, 606 49, 606108, 606159, 606191, 606194, 606198
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1018 with multiple channels for guiding radioactive sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1015 Treatment of resected cavities created by surgery, e.g. lumpectomy

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways.

Claims

1. A brachytherapy device comprising:

an expandable outer cage;

an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter; and

a rotatable actuation mechanism configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand and to be spaced apart in response to rotations of the rotatable actuator between certain positions.

2. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein the expandable inner cage is comprised of hollow tubes, each configured to receive radioactive material at different locations therein.

3. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein the outer and inner cages are configured to collapse into a rod-like shape when not expanded by rotation of the rotatable actuation mechanism.

4. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein rotation of the rotatable actuation mechanism between certain other positions causes the outer cage to expand but not the inner cage.

5. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein the rotatable actuation mechanism includes a ring and an actuator.