BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING SAME
First Claim
1. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
- advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through tissue in a straight configuration;
deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and
delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region of a human or other mammalian body. In some embodiments, a flexible brachytherapy device is implanted that includes a therapy delivery portion having one or more radioactive sources securely retained thereto, and a tail portion extending from the therapy delivery portion. Once implanted, the tail portion may extend outside the body, where it may be folded and secured flat against the skin. The device may be removed at therapy completion. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for delivering brachytherapy devices to the body.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
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advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through tissue in a straight configuration;
deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and
delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
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identifying a tumor cavity within the breast via ultrasound imaging;
advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through tissue in a straight configuration via ultrasound imaging;
deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and
delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a tumor cavity within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
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advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through tissue into the breast in a straight configuration;
deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the tumor cavity in a curved configuration; and
delivering radiation therapy to tissue adjacent the tumor cavity with the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile.
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18. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a plurality of therapy devices comprising therapy delivery portions and tail portions, comprising:
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advancing the therapy delivery portions of the therapy devices through tissue in a straight configuration;
deploying the therapy delivery portions within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and
delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portions in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, the therapy delivery portion comprising a support member formed to impart directional curvature of the therapy delivery portion, the method comprising:
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advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through tissue in a straight configuration;
deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and
delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification