Automated system for the radiation treatment of a desired area within the body of a patient

• US 6,585,684 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Best Vascular, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Novoste Corporation (Novt Corporation)
• Inventors: Clay, Bradford G., Hughett, James David, Knodel, Bryan Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/522,759
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 604/65, 604/131, 604/67, 604/4.01, 604/19, 604/21, 604/30, 604/31, 604/246, 604/48
• US Class Current: 604/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1008 Apparatus for temporary insertion of sources, e.g. afterloaders
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1002 Intraluminal radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body

Abstract

A system comprising a microprocessor-controlled transfer device and a separate catheter for intraluminal treatment of a selected site in a body of a patient by at least one treating element advanced from a removable treating element cartridge received in the transfer device into a lumen of the separate catheter by means of pressurized fluid controlled by a fluid control switch moveable between send and return positions. A safety interlock is provided for preventing both (1) the disassembly of the system unless the treating element resides in the treating element cartridge and (2) the actuation of the fluid control switch unless the system is assembled. The safety interlock comprises a first lock moveable from a first position to a second position only if both the catheter and the treating element cartridge are secured to the transfer device. The first lock blocks the movement of the fluid control switch to the send position when in its first position and prevents disassembly of either the catheter or the treating element cartridge from the transfer device when in its second position. The fluid control switch further locks the first lock into its second position when the fluid control switch is in the send position. A system is also provided for detecting whether the treating element resides at a targeted location along the lumen of the transfer device. The detection system comprises a pressure transducer that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the transfer device so as to be capable of measuring the fluid pressure at the targeted location of the lumen. Circuitry is provided for comparing the measured presssure to a reference pressure corresponding to the pressure at the targeted location when the treating elements are stored at the targeted location under fluid pressure. A signal generator provides a signal when the measured pressure differs from the reference pressure by more than a predetermined amount. The signal may activate an optical signal and/or a mechanical interlock, the latter preventing separation of the catheter from the transfer device and preventing closure of the gate when activated by a signal from the signal generator corresponding to the pressure encountered when the treating element does not reside at the targeted location.

Claims

1. In a transfer device used for the intraluminal treatment of a selected site in a body by means of a separable catheter adapted for intraluminal positioning in the body, the transfer device being external to the body and having a lumen for storing at least one treating element, the treating element being moved from the transfer device into the catheter by means of pressurized fluid, a system for detecting whether the treating element resides at a targeted location along the lumen of the transfer device comprising:

a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the lumen of the transfer device so as to be capable of measuring the fluid pressure difference across the targeted location of the lumen;

circuitry for comparing the measured pressure difference to a reference pressure difference corresponding to the pressure difference at the targeted location when the treating element is stored at the targeted location under fluid pressure;

a signal generator for providing a signal when the measured pressure difference differs from the reference pressure difference by more than a predetermined percentage; and

a mechanical interlock between the transfer device and the catheter wherein, the signal from the signal generator activates said mechanical interlock to prevent separation of the catheter from the transfer device.

2. The transfer device of claim 1 further comprising an optical signal activated by the signal generator.

3. In a transfer device used for the intraluminal treatment of a selected site in a body by means of a separable catheter adapted for intraluminal positioning in the body, the transfer device being external to the body and having a lumen for storing at least one treating element, the treating element being moved from the transfer device into the catheter by means of pressurized fluid, a system for detecting whether the treating element resides at a targeted location along the lumen of the transfer device comprising:

a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the lumen of the transfer device so as to be capable of measuring the fluid pressure at the targeted location of the lumen;

circuitry for comparing the measured pressure to a reference pressure corresponding to the pressure at the targeted location when the treating element is stored at the targeted location under fluid pressure;

a signal generator for providing a signal when the measured pressure differs from the reference pressure by more than a predetermined percentage; and

a mechanical interlock between the transfer device and the catheter wherein, the signal from the signal generator activates said mechanical interlock to prevent separation of the catheter from the transfer device.

4. The transfer device of claim 3 further comprising an optical signal activated by the signal generator.