EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE

• US 20070167668A1
• Filed: 03/19/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theragenics Corporation (Juniper Investment Co. LLC)
• Original Assignee: Theragenics Corporation (Juniper Investment Co. LLC)
• Inventors: GRIFFITH, NATHAN, GOVIL, AMIT, STEPHENS, DAVID, MILLAGE, KYLE, WHITE, JACK, BERGMAN, JOSHUA
• Granted Patent: US 7,497,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1008 Apparatus for temporary insertion of sources, e.g. afterloaders
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1018 with multiple channels for guiding radioactive sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1024 Seeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1015 Treatment of resected cavities created by surgery, e.g. lumpectomy

Abstract

A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to the movable outer surface is permitted. The brachytherapy device is inserted into a body cavity. After insertion, the movable surface is moved to position the at least one source lumen closer to the tissue boundary of the cavity. One or more sources of radiation are then placed within the at least one source lumen to provide a customizable treatment. Also disclosed are methods for providing brachytherapy via body cavities.

Claims

1. A device for use in brachytherapy comprising:

a proximal portion;

an expandable structure provided with a portion of a plurality of source lumen tubes, said source lumen tubes extending to the proximal portion of said device, and each said source lumen tube defining at least one source lumen that extends to said proximal portion of said device;

a ring which surrounds at least a portion of said source lumen tubes;

a movable member operatively associated with said expandable structure such that movement of said movable member moves said expandable structure from a first position to a second treatment position that is at a greater radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the device than a radial distance from said expandable structure to the longitudinal axis of the device when said expandable structure is in said first position; and

a kinematic mechanism operatively associated with said movable member such that actuation of said kinematic mechanism causes movement of said movable member to enable expansion of said expandable structure.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of each said source lumen tube extends a sufficient distance into said proximal portion such that a proximal portion of each said source lumen tube is located outside a body when said device is positioned for brachytherapy in a body cavity of said body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein expansion of said expandable structure is caused by movement of said movable member in a distal direction relative to said ring.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said kinematic mechanism is operable by one of pushing, pulling, twisting or bending.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said kinematic mechanism is operable by twisting.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said kinematic mechanism employs a mechanical advantage.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said kinematic mechanism is removable from said device.

8. The device of claim 1, comprising a locking mechanism to lock said movable member in position.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said locking mechanism operates by a methodology selected from friction, interference, rotation, expansion of a collar and threaded engagement.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said locking mechanism operates by threaded engagement.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable member is a rod.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said movable member is a control rod that moves axially relative to said ring substantially along a longitudinal axis of said device.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable member is a sleeve.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable member is cylindrical.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein each said source lumen tube extends to proximate a distal end of said device.

16. The device of claim 1, comprising at least four source lumen tubes.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of said movable member is connected to said source lumen tubes.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable member defines a central lumen.

19. A brachytherapy system comprising a device as claimed in claim 1 and at least one source of radiation for insertion into said at least one source lumen, said source of radiation being selected from the group consisting of iridium-192, palladium-103, iodine-125, cesium-131, rhenium-83, tungsten-181, thulium-170, ytterbium-169, terbium-161, dysprosium-159, gadolinium-153, samarium-145 and xenon-127.

20. The brachytherapy system of claim 19, wherein said source of radiation is selected from the group consisting of iridium-192, palladium-103 and iodine-125.