Brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using same
First Claim
1. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
- creating a puncture through the breast into the target tissue region;
advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through the puncture in a straight configuration;
deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and
delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region by introducing one or more radiation sources into the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided 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.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
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creating a puncture through the breast into the target tissue region; advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through the puncture in a straight configuration; deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region by introducing one or more radiation sources into the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, the therapy delivery portion comprising a support member formed to impart directional curvature of the therapy delivery portion, the method comprising:
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advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through tissue in a straight configuration; deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile, wherein the support member is formed to have curvature in its relaxed state, and wherein the support member is constrained in the straight configuration during advancement through tissue.
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17. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a tumor cavity within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
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creating a puncture through the breast into the target tissue region; advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through the puncture into the breast in a straight configuration; deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the tumor cavity in a curved configuration; and delivering radiation therapy to tissue adjacent the tumor cavity by introducing one or more radiation sources into the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile.
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18. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a plurality of therapy devices comprising therapy delivery portions and tail portions, comprising:
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advancing the therapy delivery portions of the therapy devices simultaneously through tissue in a straight configuration; deploying the therapy delivery portions within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portions in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
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identifying a target tissue region comprising a tumor cavity within the breast via ultrasound imaging; creating a puncture through the breast into the target tissue region; advancing the therapy delivery portion of the therapy device through the puncture tissue in a straight configuration via ultrasound imaging; deploying the therapy delivery portion within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region by introducing one or more radiation sources into the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a plurality of therapy devices comprising therapy delivery portions and tail portions, comprising:
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advancing the therapy delivery portions of the therapy devices simultaneously through tissue into the target tissue region; deploying the therapy delivery portions within or around the target tissue region in a curved configuration; and delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue region with the therapy delivery portions in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region including a cavity created by tumor excision within a breast using a treatment system including a plurality of tubular members, each tubular member comprising a lumen extending between a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, the method comprising:
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advancing the tubular members through tissue until the therapy delivery portions are positioned within the cavity in a curved configuration; and delivering one or more radiation sources through the lumen of each of the tubular members into the therapy delivery portions to deliver radiation to the target tissue region, wherein each of the tubular members comprises a support member extending along the therapy delivery portion, and wherein the support member is encased within each of the respective tubular members. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a breast using a therapy device comprising a therapy delivery portion and a tail portion, comprising:
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introducing a cannula through tissue to a cavity created by tumor excision within the target tissue region; advancing the therapy device through the cannula such that the therapy delivery portion is positioned within the cavity in a curved configuration; and delivering one or more radiation sources through the therapy delivery portion in accordance with a predefined therapy profile. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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Specification