Intracavitary Brachytherapy Device for Insertion in a Body Cavity and Methods of Use Thereof
First Claim
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1. An applicator apparatus for radioactive therapy of uterine cervix carcinoma, the apparatus comprising:
- a tubular tandem having a longitudinally extending finite tandem-length defined by a closed lead-end for insertion through the uterine cervix and a closeable trail-end permitting charging of radioactive material into the tandem leadward portion, the tandem trailward length portion lying substantially parallel to a sagittal-plane;
wherein the lead end of the tandem comprises;
at least one image sensor disposed within the tandem;
one or more discrete optical channels disposed within the tandem; and
,a light transmitting means disposed within the interior of the tandem.
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Abstract
A brachytherapy application device is described, which includes a tandem having a transparent region at its front end, and which is coupled with a fiber-optic illumination means and endoscope. This improved tandem assembly allows the user to guide the tandem into the uterus of a patient in a safer, more reproducible manner with the reduction in occurrence of uterine perforation during tandem advancement and placement.
151 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An applicator apparatus for radioactive therapy of uterine cervix carcinoma, the apparatus comprising:
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a tubular tandem having a longitudinally extending finite tandem-length defined by a closed lead-end for insertion through the uterine cervix and a closeable trail-end permitting charging of radioactive material into the tandem leadward portion, the tandem trailward length portion lying substantially parallel to a sagittal-plane; wherein the lead end of the tandem comprises; at least one image sensor disposed within the tandem; one or more discrete optical channels disposed within the tandem; and
,a light transmitting means disposed within the interior of the tandem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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4. A method of treating carcinoma in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting an assembly comprising a tubular tandem and first and second tubular side assemblies through the vaginal orifice of the patient with the tandem extending into the uterus and the first and second side assemblies being positioned against the vaginal wall; and emitting radiation from at least one of the tubular tandem and first and second tubular side assemblies; wherein the step of inserting the tubular tandem includes the steps of integrally associating the lead end of the tandem with an endoscope and illumination means for illuminating the area immediately in front of the lead end of the tandem and activating the endoscope and illumination means prior to or after insertion of the assembly through the vaginal orifice.
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13. A system for delivering radiation therapy to a gynecological tissue, the system comprising:
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one or more gynecological brachytherapy applicators, the brachytherapy applicators comprising a tubular tandem having a longitudinally extending finite tandem-length defined by a closed lead-end for insertion through the uterine cervix and a closeable trail-end permitting charging of radioactive material into the tandem leadward portion, the tandem trailward length portion lying substantially parallel to a sagittal-plane; wherein the lead end of the tandem comprises; at least one image sensor disposed within the tandem; one or more discrete optical channels disposed within the tandem; and
,a light transmitting means disposed within the interior of the tandem; one or more removable sheaths for housing the one or more brachytherapy applicators during advancement to the target tissue; one or more removable handles for positioning or repositioning the one or more brachytherapy applicators; and instructions for using the one or more brachytherapy applicators. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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- 16. The system of claim 39, further comprising one or more radiation sources.
Specification