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 and terminating in a distal tip;
an outer member surrounding a portion of the core member proximal to the distal tip and movable relative to the core member;
a plurality of helical members, each helical member comprising a distal end coupled to the core member distal end, a proximal end coupled to the outer member, an elongate portion that extends helically in a first helical direction around the core member between the helical member proximal and distal ends such that the helical members do not overlap one another, and a pathway extending between the helical member proximal and distal ends for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the outer member being actuatable for moving the helical members from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration such that each elongate portion is directed radially outwardly away from the core member; and
a balloon comprising a proximal end coupled to the outer member and a distal end coupled to the distal tip of the core member such that the balloon surrounds at least a portion of the core member distal end, the helical members extending helically around and outside an outer surface of the balloon and uncoupled from the balloon such that the helical members are expandable independently of the balloon,wherein the helical members comprise a pair of helical members extending in the first helical direction and offset from one another such that the helical members do not overlap one another in the collapsed configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Brachytherapy treatment apparatus are provided that include an elongate body including a core member and an outer member surrounding and movable relative to the core member. One or more helical catheters are provided on a distal portion of the elongate body, e.g., including distal ends coupled to the core member and proximal ends coupled to the outer member. The outer member is movable relative to the core member, e.g., axially and/or rotationally, to direct the helical catheters between a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, e.g., a lumpectomy cavity, and an expanded configuration. Each helical catheter includes a lumen, and, after expansion to the expanded configuration, a source of radiation may be introduced along the helical catheters and/or a lumen of the core member for delivering radiation to the target location. Optionally, the apparatus may include a balloon surrounding or within the helical members.
177 Citations
33 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 and terminating in a distal tip; an outer member surrounding a portion of the core member proximal to the distal tip and movable relative to the core member; a plurality of helical members, each helical member comprising a distal end coupled to the core member distal end, a proximal end coupled to the outer member, an elongate portion that extends helically in a first helical direction around the core member between the helical member proximal and distal ends such that the helical members do not overlap one another, and a pathway extending between the helical member proximal and distal ends for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the outer member being actuatable for moving the helical members from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration such that each elongate portion is directed radially outwardly away from the core member; and a balloon comprising a proximal end coupled to the outer member and a distal end coupled to the distal tip of the core member such that the balloon surrounds at least a portion of the core member distal end, the helical members extending helically around and outside an outer surface of the balloon and uncoupled from the balloon such that the helical members are expandable independently of the balloon, wherein the helical members comprise a pair of helical members extending in the first helical direction and offset from one another such that the helical members do not overlap one another in the collapsed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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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 configured for introduction into a tract through tissue and terminating in a distal tip; an outer member surrounding a portion of the core member proximal to the distal tip and movable relative to the core member; a plurality of helical members, each helical member comprising a distal end coupled to the core member distal end, a proximal end coupled to the outer member, an elongate portion that extends helically around the core member between the helical member proximal and distal ends, and a pathway extending between the helical member proximal and distal ends for receiving a source of radiation therealong; an expandable member comprising a proximal end coupled to the outer member and a distal end coupled to the distal tip of the core member such that the expandable member surrounds at least a portion of the core member distal end, the expandable member uncoupled from the helical members; and an elongate actuator member coupled to the outer member and movable axially to move the helical members independent of the expandable member from a collapsed configuration where the helical members extend helically around and outside an outer surface of the expandable member to an expanded configuration such that the elongate portions of the helical members are directed radially outwardly away from the expandable member, wherein the helical members comprise a pair of helical members extending in a first helical direction and offset from one another such that the helical members do not overlap one another in the collapsed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. 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 and terminating in a distal tip; an outer member surrounding a portion of the core member proximal to the distal tip and movable relative to the core member; a plurality of helical members, each helical member comprising a distal end coupled to the core member distal end, a proximal end coupled to the outer member, an elongate portion that extends helically around the core member between the helical member proximal and distal ends, and a pathway extending between the helical member proximal and distal ends for receiving a source of radiation therealong; and the outer member being actuatable for moving the helical members from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration such that each elongate portion is directed radially outwardly away from the core member, wherein the helical members are configured such that adjacent windings of the helical members are spaced apart axially from one another by no more than one and a half centimeters. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification