Expandable brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using them
First Claim
1. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate core member comprising a proximal end and a distal end configured for introduction into a tract through tissue, the proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis;
a distal hub coupled to the distal end of the core member;
a proximal hub on the proximal end of the core member and movable axially relative to the distal hub; and
a plurality of elongate members coupled to the proximal and distal hubs and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the core member, the elongate members movable from a collapsed configuration extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration when the proximal hub is directed distally relative to the distal hub, the elongate members comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong,wherein the core member comprises first and second telescoping tubes, the first tube coupled to one of the proximal hub and the distal hub and the second tube coupled to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub such that rotation of the first tube relative to the second tube causes the proximal hub to move distally to direct the elongate members towards the expanded configuration, andwherein the first and second tubes are telescopingly coupled such that the first tube telescopes at least partially into the second tube and external first threads on the first tube mate with internal second threads on the second tube, the second tube including an unthreaded region located adjacent the internal second threads and having a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the external first threads, such that, when the first tube is rotated sufficiently to direct the elongate members to the expanded configuration, the external first threads pass entirely through the internal second threads and enter the unthreaded region of the second tube to disengage the threads, thereby limiting further distal movement of the proximal hub.
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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. The apparatus may include features to prevent overexpansion of the elongate members and/or to facilitate rapid collapse of the elongate members.
172 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate core member comprising a proximal end and a distal end configured for introduction into a tract through tissue, the proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis; a distal hub coupled to the distal end of the core member; a proximal hub on the proximal end of the core member and movable axially relative to the distal hub; and a plurality of elongate members coupled to the proximal and distal hubs and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the core member, the elongate members movable from a collapsed configuration extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration when the proximal hub is directed distally relative to the distal hub, the elongate members comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, wherein the core member comprises first and second telescoping tubes, the first tube coupled to one of the proximal hub and the distal hub and the second tube coupled to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub such that rotation of the first tube relative to the second tube causes the proximal hub to move distally to direct the elongate members towards the expanded configuration, and wherein the first and second tubes are telescopingly coupled such that the first tube telescopes at least partially into the second tube and external first threads on the first tube mate with internal second threads on the second tube, the second tube including an unthreaded region located adjacent the internal second threads and having a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the external first threads, such that, when the first tube is rotated sufficiently to direct the elongate members to the expanded configuration, the external first threads pass entirely through the internal second threads and enter the unthreaded region of the second tube to disengage the threads, thereby limiting further distal movement of the proximal hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate core member comprising a proximal end and a distal end configured for introduction into a tract through tissue, the proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis, the core member comprising first and second tubes telescopingly coupled relative to one another such that the first tube telescopes at least partially into the second tube, the first tube comprising external first threads that mate with internal second threads on the second tube; a distal hub coupled to one of the first tube and the second tube; a proximal hub coupled to the other of the first tube and the second tube such that rotation of the first tube relative to the second tube causes the proximal hub to move axially relative to the distal hub; and a plurality of elongate members coupled to the proximal and distal hubs and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the core member, the elongate members movable from a collapsed configuration extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration when the proximal hub is directed distally relative to the distal hub, the elongate members comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, wherein the core member comprises features that limit distal movement of the proximal hub to prevent overexpansion of the elongate members in the expanded configuration, the features comprising an unthreaded first region on the first tube adjacent the external first threads and an unthreaded second region within the second tube adjacent the internal second threads, the unthreaded first region having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the internal second threads, the unthreaded second region having a length longer than the external first threads and a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the external first threads such that, when the first tube is rotated sufficiently to direct the elongate members to the expanded configuration, the external first threads on the first tube pass entirely through the internal second threads and enter the unthreaded second region and the unthreaded first region is disposed within the internal second threads, thereby disengaging the first and second threads and limiting further distal movement of the proximal hub. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification