BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS FOR ASYMMETRICAL BODY CAVITIES
First Claim
1. A brachytherapy apparatus for delivery of localized irradiation after surgical tissue removal, the tissue removal resulting in a body cavity surrounded by remaining tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources;
at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation;
a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and
an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus, system and method that delivers partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a trocar. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources, at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation, a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity.
185 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A brachytherapy apparatus for delivery of localized irradiation after surgical tissue removal, the tissue removal resulting in a body cavity surrounded by remaining tissue, the apparatus comprising:
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one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources;
at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation;
a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and
an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A brachytherapy apparatus for delivery of localized irradiation after surgical tissue removal, the tissue removal resulting in a body cavity surrounded by remaining tissue, the apparatus comprising:
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one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources;
at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation;
a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity;
an expansion element configured to be engaged to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity;
a center core; and
wherein, after the expansion element is engaged, the thin-walled tubes are arranged in two substantially concentric circles around the center core; and
an opening corresponding to each thin-walled tube, the opening being configured to permit insertion of the at least one radiation source into each of the one or more thin-walled tubes during or after surgical implantation of the plurality of thin-walled tubes. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A brachytherapy system for delivery of localized irradiation after surgical tissue removal, the tissue removal resulting in a body cavity surrounded by remaining tissue, the system comprising:
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one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources;
at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation;
a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity;
an expansion element configured to be engaged to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity; and
at least one whisk clip configured to secure the thin-walled tubes and center core in place to resist a shape and/or size change of thin-walled tubes when expanded, wherein the at least one whisk clip includes a locking mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for delivering localized irradiation after surgical tissue removal, the tissue removal resulting in a body cavity, the method comprising:
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creating access to the cavity;
providing an interstitial brachytherapy apparatus, comprising;
one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radiation sources;
at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation;
a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and
an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to the shape and/or size of the body cavity;
placing the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus into the cavity;
expanding outwardly the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus so that it substantially conforms to the shape and/or size of the cavity;
inserting the at least one radiation source into the outwardly expanded thin-walled tubes;
clamping the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus onto the patient;
leaving the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus inside the cavity for a sufficient time to deliver the prescribed radiation dose to remaining tissue that surrounds the cavity; and
removing the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus.
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33. A method for delivering localized irradiation after surgical tissue removal, the tissue removal resulting in a cavity, the method comprising:
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creating access to the cavity;
providing an interstitial brachytherapy apparatus, comprising;
one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources;
at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation;
a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity;
an expansion element configured to be engaged to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity;
a center core; and
wherein, after the expansion element is engaged, the thin-walled tubes are arranged in two substantially concentric circles around the center core; and
an opening corresponding to each thin-walled tube, the opening being configured to permit insertion of the at least one radiation source into each of the one or more thin-walled tubes and/or center core during or after surgical implantation of the plurality of thin-walled tubes. placing the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus into the cavity;
expanding outwardly the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus so that it substantially conforms to the shape and/or size of the cavity;
inserting the at least one radiation source into the outwardly expanded thin-walled tubes and/or center core;
clamping the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus onto the patient;
leaving the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus inside the cavity for a sufficient time to deliver the prescribed radiation dose to remaining tissue that surrounds the cavity; and
removing the interstitial brachytherapy apparatus.
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Specification