METHOD OF UTILIZING AN IMPLANT FOR TARGETING EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION

• US 20080281388A1
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Senorx Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Whitewater Investments Incorporated
• Inventors: Corbitt, John, Anthony, Lorl
• Granted Patent: US 8,288,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1061 using an x-ray imaging system having a separate imaging source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam

Abstract

A novel method of partial breast radiation utilizing a breast implant which can provide a stable and improved target for stereotactic radiation treatment.

Claims

1. A method of partial breast radiation comprising the steps of:

Placing within a breast cavity, a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biocompatible and biodegradable material, said implant supporting the tissue surrounding the breast cavity; and

Targeting a radiation beam to said breast tissue surrounding the implant such that the radiation beam does not materially irradiate the whole of the breast.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant via a stereotactic radiation machine.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of targeting multiple therapeutically effective dosages of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant in a single treatment via a stereotactic radiation machine.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of targeting therapeutically effective dosages of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant multiple times in a single treatment via a stereotactic radiation machine.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant via multidirectional radiation therapy.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant via Image guided radiation therapy.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant via 3-D conformal radiation therapy.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant via intensity modulated radiation therapy.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of aspirating air from the lumpectomy cavity at any time after placement of the implant.

10. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of aspirating air from the lumpectomy cavity at any time after placement of the implant.

11. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of aspirating air from the lumpectomy cavity at any time after placement of the implant.

12. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of aspirating air from the lumpectomy cavity at any time after placement of the implant.

13. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of aspirating air from the lumpectomy cavity at any time after placement of the implant.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of initiating targeting of a radiation beam about 1-90 days subsequent placement of the implant.

15. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of initiating targeting of a radiation beam about 1-90 days subsequent placement of the implant.

16. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of initiating targeting of a radiation beam about 1-90 days subsequent placement of the implant.

17. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of initiating targeting of a radiation beam about 1-90 days subsequent placement of the implant.

18. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of initiating targeting of a radiation beam about 1-90 days subsequent placement of the implant.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of initiating chemotherapy and thereafter, initiating targeting of a radiation beam up to 120 days subsequent placement of the implant.

20. A method of partial breast radiation comprising the steps of:

Placing within a breast cavity, an implant constructed of biocompatible and biodegradable material, said implant containing a substantially radio-opaque marker and said implant supporting the tissue surrounding the breast cavity; and

Targeting a radiation beam to said breast tissue surrounding the implant such that the radiation beam does not materially irradiate the whole of the breast.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant or marker via a stereotactic radiation machine.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of targeting multiple therapeutically effective dosages of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant or marker in a single treatment via a stereotactic radiation machine.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant or marker via multidirectional radiation therapy.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant or marker via Image guided radiation therapy.

25. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant or marker via 3-D conformal radiation therapy.

26. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of targeting a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the implant or marker via intensity modulated radiation therapy.

27. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of aspirating air from the lumpectomy cavity at any time after placement of the implant.

28. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of initiating targeting of a radiation beam about 1-90 days subsequent placement of the implant.

29. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of initiating targeting of a radiation beam about 1-90 days subsequent placement of the implant.

30. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of initiating chemotherapy and thereafter, initiating targeting of a radiation beam up to 120 days subsequent placement of the implant.