Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy

• US 7,803,103 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2006
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neovista, Inc.
• Inventors: Anderson, Cory S., Trip, Roelof, Hillstead, Richard A, Larsen, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk; John P
• Application Number:
  US11/559,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20070118010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 600 1- 8
• US Class Current: 600/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1058 using ultrasound imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1017 Treatment of the eye, e.g. for "macular degeneration"
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy are disclosed in which a cannula is introduced into the eye for delivery of radiation to a target tissue. Techniques for properly locating the cannula with respect to the target tissue, for protecting non-target tissue, for regulating heat generated by x-ray emitters, and for combining therapies are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of positioning a device for local delivery of radiation to intraocular sub-retinal target tissue a pre-determined space relative to the target tissue comprising:

providing a device comprising a cannula sized for insertion into an eye and having a proximal end and a distal end;

a radiation-emitting source adapted to be located in the distal end of the cannula; and

an ultrasound transducer located in the distal end of the cannula adapted to directionally emit ultrasonic radiation toward the target tissue;

calibrating the ultrasound transducer in accordance with a predetermined spacing for the distal end of the cannula from the sub-retinal target tissue so as to generate a signal when the predetermined spacing is achieved;

introducing the cannula into an eye through an access site on the eye; and

moving the distal end of the cannula toward the sub-retinal target tissue until the signal generated by the ultrasound transducer is perceived by a user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound transducer is located in the distal end of the cannula proximal to the radiation-emitting source.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound transducer is located in the distal end of the cannula distal to the radiation-emitting source.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal generated by the ultrasound transducer is an audible signal.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal generated by the ultrasound transducer is a visual signal.

6. A method of positioning a first cannula within an eye for delivery of a therapeutic treatment to a target tissue within the eye comprising:

introducing the first cannula into the eye through an access site on the eye;

introducing a second cannula into the eye through an access site on the eye, the second cannula including an ultrasound transducer;

positioning the distal end of the first cannula between the ultrasound transducer associated with the second cannula and the target tissue; and

moving the distal portion of the first cannula toward the target tissue until a predetermined spacing between the distal end of the first cannula and the target tissue is achieved, at which time a signal is generated by the ultrasound transducer.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the signal generated by the ultrasound transducer is an audible signal.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the signal generated by the ultrasound transducer is a visual signal.