Method and apparatus for the delivery of brachytherapy

• US 20040068157A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Gellman, Barry N., Slanda, Jozef, Paddock, Kimberly, Godshall, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 7,041,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/406 using implantable thermoseeds or injected particles for localized hyperthermia preparations of seeds and particles A61K41/0052
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1009 Apparatus for loading seeds into magazines or needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1011 Apparatus for permanent insertion of sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1024 Seeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1025 Wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 Interstitial radiation therapy

Abstract

A brachytherapy device includes a radiation source and a multi-cannula delivery system for implantation of the radiation source into a body tissue site. The radiation source may be, for example, a substantially straight round wire, a substantially straight flat wire, a detented wire, an embossed wire, a bristled wire, a shaped resilient wire, a twisted round wire, a twisted flat wire, or a coil with or without an inner core, and is adapted for implantation into a body tissue site and for delivery of radiation to the body tissue site. The multi-cannula delivery system includes an outer cannula, an outer stylet, an inner cannula, and an inner stylet. Different configurations of the radiation source according to embodiments of the invention improve distribution of the radiation field in the longitudinal direction and resistance to migration of the radiation source inside a patient'"'"'s body. The multi-cannula delivery system provides for faster and more accurate placement of the radiation source.

Claims

1. A brachytherapy device, comprising:

a radiation source comprising a radioactive material, said radiation source adapted for implantation into a body tissue site and for delivery of a dosage of radiation to said body tissue site; and

a multi-cannula delivery system for implantation of said radiation source into said body tissue site.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation source comprises at least one of a substantially straight round wire, a substantially straight flat wire, a detented wire, an embossed wire, a bristled wire, a shaped resilient wire, a twisted round wire, a twisted flat wire, and a coil with an inner core.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation source comprises a coil.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said coil has a variable length.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said multi-cannula delivery system comprises an outer cannula and an inner cannula;

said inner cannula having a distal tip and an outer diameter sufficiently small to fit inside said outer cannula.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said inner cannula has an inner diameter sufficiently large to receive said radiation source therein.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising an outer stylet having a distal tip and an outer diameter sufficiently small to fit inside said outer cannula.

8. The device of claim 5 further comprising an inner stylet having a distal tip and an outer diameter sufficiently small to fit inside said inner cannula.

9. The device of claim 5 wherein said inner cannula is preloaded with said radiation source.

10. The device of claim 5 wherein said distal tip of said inner cannula is plugged.

11. The device of claim 5 wherein said distal tip of said inner cannula comprises a trocar.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said inner cannula has a side opening proximal to said distal tip.

13. The device of claim 5 wherein said outer cannula and said inner cannula comprise longitudinal openings.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said inner cannula is adapted to be capable of rotating in relation to said outer cannula so as to cause said longitudinal openings to align.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said radiation source is releasable from said multi-cannula delivery system upon alignment of said longitudinal openings.

16. The device of claim 1 further including a multi-cannula delivery system loading device, comprising:

a base,

a container attached to said base and adapted for dispensing said radiation source therefrom, and

a discharge tube attached to said base and adapted for receiving said radiation source dispensed from said container and for loading said radiation source into said multi-cannula delivery system.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said base defines a groove longitudinally formed therein.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said radiation source is dispensed from said container into said groove.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said discharge tube is disposed in said groove.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said discharge tube comprises a drop-in slot for receiving said radiation source therein.

21. The device of claim 16 wherein said container is removably and reusably attached to said base.

22. The device of claim 16 wherein said discharge tube is removably and reusably attached to said base.

23. The device of claim 16 wherein said base is adapted to facilitate cutting said radiation source.

24. The device of claim 16 wherein said base further comprises a cutoff scale.

25. The device of claim 16 wherein said discharge tube comprises an actuator and a luer port, said actuator and said luer port adapted for loading said radiation source into said multi-cannula delivery system.

26. A multi-cannula delivery system loading device, comprising:

a base,

a container attached to said base and adapted for dispensing a radiation source therefrom, and

a discharge tube attached to said base and adapted for receiving said radiation source dispensed from said container and for loading said radiation source into a multi-cannula delivery system.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein said base defines a groove longitudinally formed therein.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein said discharge tube is disposed in said groove.

29. The device of claim 26 wherein said discharge tube comprises a drop-in slot for receiving said radiation source therein.

30. The device of claim 26 wherein said discharge tube comprises an actuator and a luer port, said actuator and said luer port adapted for loading said radiation source into said multi-cannula delivery system.