RECTAL BALLOON APPARATUS WITH RADIATION SENSOR AND/OR MARKERS

• US 20080300619A1
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Inventors: ISHAM, John
• Application Number:
  US12/141,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20080300619A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/197
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1097 Means for immobilizing the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A rectal balloon apparatus has a shaft with a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A balloon is affixed over an end of the shaft such that the fluid passageway communicates with an interior of the balloon. The balloon has a laterally flat surface thereon when inflated. The laterally flat surface of the balloon has a longitudinal groove formed thereon. The balloon has a radiation sensor positioned within the groove and a plurality of fiducial markers positioned on a surface of the balloon. A stopper is slidably mounted on the shaft.

Claims

1. A rectal balloon apparatus comprising:

a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough, said shaft having indicia formed on an exterior surface thereof;

a stopping means slidable longitudinally along said shaft so as to reside at a desired indicia, said stopping means for fixing an amount of movement of said shaft into the rectum; and

a balloon affixed over an end of said shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a non-inflated condition and an inflated condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon having a sensing means affixed theron, said sensing means for sensing an amount of radiation delivered thereto.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon having a laterally flat surface when in said inflated condition, said balloon having a longitudinal groove formed in said laterally flat surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said groove having a sensing means affixed within said groove, said sensing means for sensing an amount of radiation delivered thereto.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon having a plurality of fiducial markers formed on a surface thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, said fiducial markers affixed or formed on different surfaces of said balloon.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, said balloon having a groove formed thereon, said fiducial markers comprising a first plurality of fiducial markers positioned on one side of said groove and a second plurality of fiducial markers positioned on an opposite side of said groove.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, said fiducial markers comprising a first set of fiducial markers positioned on a top surface of said balloon and a second set of fiducial markers positioned on a bottom surface of said balloon.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, said stopping means comprising:

a semispherical member slidably mounted on said shaft, said semispherical member having a curved surface facing said balloon.

10. A rectal balloon apparatus comprising:

a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough; and

a balloon affixed over an end of said shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a non-inflated condition and an inflated condition, said balloon having a groove formed thereon when in said inflated condition, said groove having a sensing means affixed therein, said sensing means for sensing an amount of radiation delivered thereto.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, said groove having a depth such that said sensing means has an outer surface that is flush with a surface of said balloon or inwardly of said surface of said balloon.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, said balloon having a laterally flat surface thereon when in said inflated condition.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, said shaft having indicia formed on an exterior surface thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, said shaft having a stopping means slidable longitudinally along said shaft so as to reside at a desired indicia, said stopping means for fixing an amount of movement of said shaft into the rectum.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, said balloon having a plurality of fiducial markers formed on a surface thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, said plurality of fiducial markers comprising:

a first plurality of fiducial markers positioned on one side of said groove; and

a second plurality of fiducial markers positioned on an opposite side of said groove.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, said plurality of fiducial markers comprising:

a first set of fiducial markers positioned on a top surface of said balloon; and

a second set of fiducial markers positioned on a bottom surface of said balloon.

18. A rectal balloon apparatus comprising:

a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough;

a balloon affixed over an end of said shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a non-inflated condition and an inflated condition, said balloon having a groove formed thereon when in said inflated condition; and

a plurality of fiducial markers formed on at least one surface of said balloon.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, said balloon having a groove formed thereon when in said inflated condition, said plurality of fiducial markers comprising:

a first plurality of fiducial markers positioned on one side of said groove; and

a second plurality of fiducial markers positioned on an opposite side of said groove.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a sensing means positioned in said groove, said sensing means for sensing an amount of radiation delivered thereto.