Brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using them
First Claim
1. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus for treating tissue surrounding a cavity within a body, comprising:
- an elongate body comprising a proximal end and a distal end configured for introduction into a tract through tissue, the elongate body comprising a core member and a body member, the core member and body member comprising mating threads for causing the body member to move axially relative to the core member when the body member is rotated relative to the core member;
a plurality of elongate members on the distal end comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the elongate members including distal ends coupled to the core member and proximal ends coupled to the body member, the elongate members being movable from a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration for providing a three dimensional array of pathways at the target location;
a source of radiation introduceable along the pathways for delivering radiation to the target location; and
an actuator coupled to one of the core member and body member, the actuator rotatable in a first direction for moving the body member axially relative to the core member to move the elongate members from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration and rotatable in a second opposite direction to move the elongate members from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, at least a portion of the actuator being detachable from the elongate body to reduce a profile of the brachytherapy delivery apparatus after implantation, the detachable portion and the elongate body comprising releasable connectors for allowing the detachable portion to be removed after implantation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways.
169 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus for treating tissue surrounding a cavity within a body, comprising:
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an elongate body comprising a proximal end and a distal end configured for introduction into a tract through tissue, the elongate body comprising a core member and a body member, the core member and body member comprising mating threads for causing the body member to move axially relative to the core member when the body member is rotated relative to the core member; a plurality of elongate members on the distal end comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the elongate members including distal ends coupled to the core member and proximal ends coupled to the body member, the elongate members being movable from a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration for providing a three dimensional array of pathways at the target location; a source of radiation introduceable along the pathways for delivering radiation to the target location; and an actuator coupled to one of the core member and body member, the actuator rotatable in a first direction for moving the body member axially relative to the core member to move the elongate members from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration and rotatable in a second opposite direction to move the elongate members from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, at least a portion of the actuator being detachable from the elongate body to reduce a profile of the brachytherapy delivery apparatus after implantation, the detachable portion and the elongate body comprising releasable connectors for allowing the detachable portion to be removed after implantation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus for treating tissue surrounding a cavity within a body, comprising:
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an elongate body comprising a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a tract through tissue, the elongate body comprising a core member and a body member surrounding a portion of the core member, the core member and body member comprising mating threads for causing the body member to move axially relative to the core member when the body member is rotated relative to the core member; a plurality of tubular members on the distal end comprising lumens for receiving a source of radiation therein, the tubular members being movable from a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration for providing a three dimensional array of pathways at the target location; a plurality of openings communicating with respective lumens for inserting the source of radiation into the lumens; a hub coupled to proximal ends of the tubular members and the body member, the hub being movable axially as the body member is moved axially relative to the core member for moving the tubular members from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration; and an actuator coupled to one of the core member and body member, the actuator rotatable in a first direction for moving the body member axially relative to the core member to move the tubular members from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration and rotatable in a second opposite direction for collapsed the tubular members to the collapsed configuration, at least a portion of the actuator extending proximally beyond the hub being detachable from the brachytherapy apparatus to reduce a profile of the brachytherapy delivery apparatus after implantation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus for treating tissue surrounding a cavity within a body, comprising:
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an elongate body comprising a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a tract through tissue; a plurality of tubular members on the distal end comprising lumens for receiving a source of radiation therein, the tubular members being movable from a collapsed configuration wherein the elongate members extend substantially parallel to the elongate body for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration for providing a three dimensional array of pathways at the target location; a plurality of openings communicating with respective lumens for inserting the source of radiation into the lumens; a proximal hub coupled to proximal ends of the tubular members, the proximal hub being movable relative to the elongate body for moving the tubular members from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration; the tubular members comprising first and second sets of tubular members, the first set of tubular members spaced apart about a central axis of the elongate body such that the first set of tubular members generally define a first maximum diameter in the expanded configuration, the second set of tubular members spaced apart about the central axis such that the second set of tubular members generally define a second maximum diameter in the expanded configuration that is less than the first maximum diameter; a distal hub coupled to a distal tip of the elongate body and distal ends of the first set of tubular members; and a floating hub coupled to distal ends of the second set of tubular members, the floating hub contacting the distal hub after the proximal hub has been moved relative to the elongate body to cause the first set of tubular members to bow outwardly without expanding the second set of tubular members, whereupon further movement of the proximal hub relative to the elongate body causes both the first and second sets of tubular members to move outwardly towards the expanded configuration such that the second set of tubular members defines a smaller diameter than the first set of tubular members. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus for treating tissue surrounding a cavity within a body, comprising:
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an elongate body comprising a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a tract through tissue, the elongate body comprising a core member and a body member surrounding a portion of the core member, the core member and body member comprising mating threads for causing the body member to move axially relative to the core member when the body member is rotated relative to the core member; a plurality of elongate members on the distal end comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the elongate members being movable from a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration for providing a three dimensional array of pathways at the target location, the elongate members being spaced apart in the expanded configuration such that tissue at the target location invaginates between the elongate members; and an actuator coupled to one of the core member and body member, the actuator rotatable in a first direction for moving the body member axially relative to the core member to move the elongate members from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration and rotatable in a second opposite direction for collapsed the elongate members to the collapsed configuration, at least a portion of the actuator being detachable from the brachytherapy apparatus to reduce a profile of the brachytherapy delivery apparatus after implantation, the detachable portion and the elongate body comprising releasable connectors for allowing the detachable portion to be removed after implantation. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue within a body, comprising:
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creating a tract through tissue to a target location including a cavity; advancing an elongate body carrying a plurality of elongate members through the tract into the target location with the elongate members in a collapsed configuration such that an actuator extends from the tract out of the body and the elongate body is disposed within the body, the elongate body comprising a core member and a body member, the core member and body member comprising mating threads for causing the body member to move axially relative to the core member when the body member is rotated relative to the core member; rotating the actuator to rotate and cause the body member to move axially relative to the core member and thereby direct the elongate members to an expanded configuration at the target location to position the elongate members away from a central axis such that tissue surrounding the cavity extends between at least a portion of adjacent elongate members; detaching at least a detachable portion of the actuator from the elongate body; removing the detachable portion of the actuator from the body after expanding the elongate members to the expanded configuration; and delivering radiation to the target location to treat tissue at the target location. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification