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, at least one of the proximal hub and the distal hub movable axially relative to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub;
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;
tubular extensions extending proximally from the proximal hub and communicating with respective pathways for directing a source of radiation into the elongate members; and
a release mechanism distal to proximal ends of the tubular extensions on at least one of the proximal hub and the core member adjacent the proximal hub for irreversibly disengaging the proximal hub from the core member to allow rapid collapse of the elongate members from the expanded configuration.
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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.
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Citations
23 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, at least one of the proximal hub and the distal hub movable axially relative to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub; 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; tubular extensions extending proximally from the proximal hub and communicating with respective pathways for directing a source of radiation into the elongate members; and a release mechanism distal to proximal ends of the tubular extensions on at least one of the proximal hub and the core member adjacent the proximal hub for irreversibly disengaging the proximal hub from the core member to allow rapid collapse of the elongate members from the expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13)
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8. A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue within a body, comprising:
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creating a tract through tissue to a target location adjacent to a cavity; advancing a distal portion of an elongate body carrying a plurality of elongate members through the tract into the target location with the elongate members in a collapsed configuration wherein the elongate body comprises a proximal hub that is movable axially relative to the elongate body when an expansion tool is rotated for directing the elongate members to an expanded configuration; directing the elongate members to the expanded configuration at the target location to position the elongate members away from a central axis; delivering radiation to the target location to treat tissue at the target location, wherein directing the elongate members to the expanded configuration comprises rotating the expansion tool in a first direction, and wherein, upon directing the elongate members to the expanded configuration, threads on the distal portion are disengaged such that further rotation of the expansion tool in the first direction no longer expands the elongate members; and disengaging the proximal hub from the elongate body, and pulling the proximal hub without rotation to collapse the elongate members. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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11. A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue, comprising:
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creating a tract through tissue to a target location adjacent to a cavity; introducing a distal end of a prep catheter through the tract into the cavity; expanding an expandable member on the distal end of the prep catheter within the cavity; removing the prep catheter; advancing a distal portion of an elongate body carrying a plurality of elongate members through the tract into the target location with the elongate members in a collapsed configuration; rotating an expansion tool in a first direction to direct the elongate members to an expanded configuration at the target location to position the elongate members away from a central axis, wherein, upon reaching the expanded configuration, threads on the distal portion are disengaged such that further rotation of the expansion tool in the first direction no longer expands the elongate members; and delivering radiation to the target location to treat tissue at the target location.
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14. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate core member comprising a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a tract through tissue, and the core member defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends; a distal hub coupled to the distal end of the core member; a proximal hub on the proximal end of the core member, at least one of the proximal hub and the distal hub movable axially relative to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub; a guide member on the core member disposed between the proximal and distal hubs; 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 comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the elongate members movable between a collapsed configuration wherein intermediate regions of the elongate members are received in respective recesses in the guide member for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration when one of the proximal and distal hubs is directed towards the other of the proximal and distal hubs, the intermediate regions moving radially out of the respective recesses as the elongate members are directed towards the expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue within a body, comprising:
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creating a tract through tissue to a target location adjacent to a cavity; advancing a distal portion of an elongate body through the tract into the target location with the distal portion in a collapsed configuration, the distal portion comprising a plurality of elongate members disposed around an elongate core member with intermediate regions of the elongate members being received in respective recesses in a guide member between proximal and distal hubs on the core member at the distal portion in the collapsed configuration; directing the distal portion to an expanded configuration at the target location wherein the elongate members expand away from a central axis and the intermediate regions exit the respective recesses; and delivering radiation to the target location via the distal portion to treat tissue at the target location.
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20. A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate core member comprising a proximal end, and a distal end sized for introduction into a tract through tissue, the core member defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends; a distal hub coupled to the distal end of the core member; a proximal hub on the proximal end of the core member, at least one of the proximal hub and the distal hub movable axially relative to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub; 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 comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the elongate members movable between a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration when one of the proximal and distal hubs is directed towards the other of the proximal and distal hubs; and a guide member on the core member disposed between the proximal and distal ends, the guide member having a size such that intermediate regions of the elongate members contact the guide member in the collapsed configuration such that the elongate members do not extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue within a body, comprising:
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creating a tract through tissue to a target location adjacent to a cavity; advancing a distal portion of an elongate body through the tract into the target location with the distal portion in a collapsed configuration, the distal portion comprising a plurality of elongate members disposed around an elongate core member with intermediate regions of the elongate members being received in respective recesses in a guide member on the core member in the collapsed configuration; directing the distal portion to an expanded configuration at the target location wherein the elongate members expand away from a central axis and the intermediate regions exit the respective recesses; and delivering radiation to the target location via the distal portion to treat tissue at the target location, wherein the elongate members are arched in the collapsed configuration, the elongate members arching further in the expanded configuration.
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Specification