Brachytherapy apparatus, systems, and methods for using them
First Claim
1. A system for brachytherapy treatment within a body cavity within a patient accessed via a passage through tissue, comprising:
- an access port device comprising a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction through a passage through tissue into a body cavity, and an expandable member comprising a proximal end attached to the tubular member distal end and a distal end extending distally beyond the tubular member distal end, the tubular member further comprising a working channel extending between the tubular member proximal end and the tubular member distal end and communicating with the interior of the expandable member, the expandable member comprising a substantially enclosed interior in communication with the working channel and an inflation lumen extending between the tubular member proximal end and the tubular member distal end and communicating with the interior of the expandable member for delivering inflation media into the interior for expanding the expandable member; and
an expandable brachytherapy applicator comprising an applicator proximal end, an applicator distal end sized for introduction through the working channel of the access port device into the interior of the expandable member, the applicator comprising a plurality of elongate members extending between the applicator proximal and distal ends and comprising pathways for delivering a source of radiation from the applicator proximal end to a distal portion of the applicator, the elongate members movable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration to expand the applicator distal end within the interior of the expandable member.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An applicator for delivering brachytherapy includes elongate members movable between collapsed and expanded configurations for delivering brachytherapy within a lumpectomy cavity, a vaginal cavity, or other target region. The elongate members may be expandable into a symmetrical or asymmetrical expanded configuration, e.g., into a generally spherical, pear-shaped, or planar configuration. A system for delivering brachytherapy includes the applicator and an access device for lining and/or dilating a body cavity and/or for receiving the applicator therein. The access device is advanced into a body cavity, an expandable member on the access device is inflated, the applicator is advanced into the access device, and the elongate members are expanded to deliver radiation to the target region. Alternatively, the access device carries an expandable device into the target region, the expandable device is removed after dilating the target region, and the applicator is introduced through the access device to deliver radiation.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system for brachytherapy treatment within a body cavity within a patient accessed via a passage through tissue, comprising:
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an access port device comprising a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction through a passage through tissue into a body cavity, and an expandable member comprising a proximal end attached to the tubular member distal end and a distal end extending distally beyond the tubular member distal end, the tubular member further comprising a working channel extending between the tubular member proximal end and the tubular member distal end and communicating with the interior of the expandable member, the expandable member comprising a substantially enclosed interior in communication with the working channel and an inflation lumen extending between the tubular member proximal end and the tubular member distal end and communicating with the interior of the expandable member for delivering inflation media into the interior for expanding the expandable member; and an expandable brachytherapy applicator comprising an applicator proximal end, an applicator distal end sized for introduction through the working channel of the access port device into the interior of the expandable member, the applicator comprising a plurality of elongate members extending between the applicator proximal and distal ends and comprising pathways for delivering a source of radiation from the applicator proximal end to a distal portion of the applicator, the elongate members movable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration to expand the applicator distal end within the interior of the expandable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An access port device for accessing a body cavity of a patient via a passage through tissue, comprising:
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a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction through a passage through tissue into a body cavity, and an inflation lumen and a working channel within the tubular member extending between the proximal end and the distal end; an expandable member comprising a proximal end attached to the tubular member distal end and a distal end extending distally beyond the tubular member distal end and terminating in a closed distal tip, the expandable member configured for delineating or dilating tissue surrounding a body cavity within which the expandable member is expanded, the expandable member comprising a substantially enclosed interior in communication with the inflation lumen and the working channel; and a valve disposed within the working channel adjacent the tubular member proximal end and configured to allow a device to be inserted through the working channel into the interior of the expandable member without inflation media within the interior escaping substantially through the working channel. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system for brachytherapy treatment within a target tissue region within a patient accessed via a passage through tissue, comprising:
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an access sheath comprising a proximal portion, a distal section sized for introduction into a passage through tissue to access a target tissue region, and a bendable intermediate section between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the access sheath comprising a “
C”
shaped cross-section including longitudinal edges that at least partially define a lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion;an expandable device comprising a tubular member including a tubular member proximal end, a tubular member distal end sized for introduction through the lumen of the access sheath, an expandable member comprising a proximal end attached to the tubular member distal end, a distal end extending distally beyond the tubular member distal end, and an inflation lumen extending between the tubular member proximal end and the tubular member distal end that communicates with an interior of the expandable member; and an expandable brachytherapy applicator comprising an applicator proximal end, an applicator distal end sized for introduction through the lumen of the access sheath, the expandable brachytherapy applicator comprising a plurality of elongate members extending between the applicator proximal end and applicator distal end and comprising pathways for delivering a source of radiation from the applicator proximal end to a distal portion of the expandable brachytherapy applicator, the distal portion movable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein the longitudinal edges of the access sheath are spaced apart from one another to define a gap extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the access sheath, the longitudinal edges being sufficiently flexible to be directed apart from one another to increase a width of the gap to accommodate removing the access sheath from around at least one of the expandable device and the expandable brachytherapy applicator. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for brachytherapy treatment of a target tissue region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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introducing a distal portion of an access sheath having a “
C”
shaped cross-section into a passage through tissue to access a target tissue region such that a proximal portion of the access sheath remains outside the patient'"'"'s body;introducing a distal end of an expandable device through the passage through tissue until a balloon on the distal end is disposed within the target tissue region; expanding the balloon to dilate or manipulate tissue within the target tissue region; collapsing the balloon; withdrawing the expandable device from the target tissue region through the access sheath, leaving the access sheath within the passage through tissue; and introducing a distal portion of an applicator through the access sheath into the target tissue region to treat tissue within the target tissue region. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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introducing a distal end of an access port device into a body cavity; expanding an expandable member extending beyond the distal end of the access port device within the body cavity; introducing a distal portion of an applicator through the access port device into the body cavity with the distal portion of the applicator in a collapsed configuration; directing the distal portion of the applicator to an expanded configuration within the expandable member after expanding the expandable member within the body cavity and introducing the distal portion of the applicator into the body cavity; and deflating the expandable member after directing the distal portion of the applicator to the expanded configuration; after deflating the expandable member, delivering radiation to a target location adjacent the body cavity via the distal portion of the applicator. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification