Brachytherapy apparatus and methods of using same
First Claim
1. A brachytherapy treatment device operable for implantation into a target tissue region of a body, the device comprising:
- a therapy delivery portion comprising two or more radioactive sources enclosed and constrained from movement within a casing such that through holes extending through the radioactive sources are aligned with one another; and
at least one non-dissolving flexible tail portion extending from the therapy delivery portion and operable to extend outside the body after implantation of the device, the tail portion comprising a device hub with a protrusion that extends into the casing to at least partially define a lumen that extends through the tail portion and the through holes to an opening in a distal end of the casing, the lumen sized for receiving a needle therethrough.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods 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.
169 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A brachytherapy treatment device operable for implantation into a target tissue region of a body, the device comprising:
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a therapy delivery portion comprising two or more radioactive sources enclosed and constrained from movement within a casing such that through holes extending through the radioactive sources are aligned with one another; and at least one non-dissolving flexible tail portion extending from the therapy delivery portion and operable to extend outside the body after implantation of the device, the tail portion comprising a device hub with a protrusion that extends into the casing to at least partially define a lumen that extends through the tail portion and the through holes to an opening in a distal end of the casing, the lumen sized for receiving a needle therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A brachytherapy treatment device operable for implantation into a target region of breast tissue, the device comprising:
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a non-dissolving flexible tail portion comprising a hub with a protrusion; a therapy delivery portion extending from the tail portion and comprising; a) two or more radioactive seeds, each seed defined by a first end, a second end and a lumen spanning between the first end and the second end; b) a hollow spacer located between the two or more radioactive seeds; and c) a tubular casing surrounding and constraining the two or more radioactive seeds, the spacer, and the protrusion from movement such that the seeds and spacer are aligned to at least partially define a lumen extending from the tail portion through the protrusion and seed lumens to an opening in a distal end of the casing.
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9. A kit for delivering brachytherapy to a target region of breast tissue, the kit comprising:
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a removably implantable elongate brachytherapy device comprising; a therapy delivery portion comprising one or more radioactive seeds, wherein each seed defines a through hole; a casing enclosing and constraining the one or more radioactive seeds from movement; and a device hub comprising a protrusion that extends into the casing such that a lumen is defined that extends through the device hub, the protrusion, and the through hole of each of the one or more radioactive seeds to an opening in a distal end of the casing; and a needle removably insertable through the lumen defined by the one or more radioactive seeds, the casing, and the device hub such that a sharp tip of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the casing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing brachytherapy to a target region of breast tissue within a body, the method comprising:
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inserting a needle through a lumen of an elongate brachytherapy device until a sharp tip of the needle extends beyond the device, the device comprising a therapy delivery portion having two or more radioactive sources surrounded and restrained by a tubular casing, the radioactive sources comprising through holes at least partially defining the lumen; introducing the needle and device into the target region; and removing the needle from the device and leaving the device implanted within the target region for a period of about four or more days. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of providing brachytherapy to a target region of breast tissue within a body, the method comprising:
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coupling an elongate brachytherapy device to a needle by inserting the needle into a lumen of the device, the device comprising; a therapy delivery portion comprising one or more radioactive sources; and a casing surrounding and restraining the one or more radioactive sources, each radioactive source comprising a through hole at least partially defining the lumen; inserting the needle and associated brachytherapy device into the breast tissue; immobilizing the brachytherapy device; and withdrawing the needle from the breast tissue, whereby the brachytherapy device remains implanted. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification