After-loader for positioning implants for needle delivery in brachytherapy and other radiation therapy

• US 7,988,611 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2006
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG S.A (Eckert & Ziegler AG)
• Original Assignee: Biocompatibles Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Lamoureux, Gary A., Johnston, Warren W.
• Primary Examiner(s): GILBERT, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US11/592,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20070265488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 600 1- 8
• US Class Current: 600/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1008 Apparatus for temporary insertion of sources, e.g. afterloaders
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body

Abstract

In one embodiment an after-loader for providing an implant to a hollow needle, the after-loader comprising a body having a distal end including a bevel for receiving a hub of a seed lock needle, and a bore therethrough for receiving a hub of a MICK® needle; a proximal end having a funnel shaped opening; a shield adapted to be provided over the body; and wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to a shield. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of the invention.

Claims

1. An after-loader for providing an implant to a hollow needle, the after-loader comprising:

a body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end including a bevel and a bore;

wherein the bevel is adapted to receive a hub of a first type of brachytherapy needle and the bore is adapted to receive a hub of a second type of brachytherapy needle; and

a radiation shield adapted to be provided over at least a portion of the body; and

wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to the shield.

2. The after-loader of claim 1, wherein:

the bore is a first bore; and

further comprising a second bore extending through the after-loader; and

wherein a portion of the second bore has an expanding funnel shape toward the proximal end.

3. The after-loader of claim 2, wherein the second bore is narrower than the first bore.

4. The after-loader of claim 2, wherein the second bore is adapted to receive a stylet.

5. The after-loader of claim 1, wherein:

the bevel is adapted to receive a hub of a seed lock needle.

6. A system for positioning implants within a body of a patient, the system comprising:

a needle having a hub;

an afterloader including a body, the body having;

a distal end including a bevel and a first bore;

a proximal end; and

a second bore extending approximately from the proximal end to the first bore;

wherein the bevel and the first bore are selectable for receiving a hub of a needle; and

a stylet receivable within the second bore; and

a radiation shield adapted to be provided over at least a portion of the body; and

wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to the shield.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a portion of the second bore has an expanding funnel shape toward the proximal end.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the second bore is narrower than the first bore.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the bevel is adapted to receive a hub of a seed lock needle.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the stylet has a distal end and a proximal end;

the proximal end of the stylet includes a hub adapted to be gripped; and

the distal end of the stylet has sufficient length to extend in a distal direction through the needle and afterloader.

11. An after-loader for providing an implant to a hollow needle, the after-loader comprising:

a body having a distal end and a proximal end and a bore extending therebetween;

at least one implant stored in the bore;

wherein the distal end is configured to be mated to a hub of a hollow needle;

wherein the proximal end is configured to accept a stylet; and

a radiation shield adapted to be provided over at least a portion of the body; and

wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to the shield.

12. The after-loader of claim 11, further comprising:

a pair of removable plugs to keep the at least one implant within the bore until the plugs are removed.