Devices and methods for minimally invasive reduction of parathyroid adenomas
First Claim
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1. A method of glandular reduction in a patient, comprising:
- marking a gland as a target tissue with a material that emits energy;
inserting a probe into the patient and the target tissue, wherein inserting the probe includes;
measuring energy emitted from the marked target tissue using a detector within the probe,positioning the probe in proximity to the target tissue based upon the measured energy, andguiding the probe to the target tissue by rotating and longitudinally translating a shield surrounding the detector, wherein the shield blocks the energy, the rotating and longitudinal translating of the shield takes place within the probe, and the shield has an aperture for allowing the energy to reach the detector; and
delivering therapy energy from a therapy element of the probe to the target tissue.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for performing glandular reduction are described. In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a needle-like probe containing a scintillation detector for converting gamma and x-rays emitted from a radio-labeled gland into photons that are then carried from the probe through a fiberoptic cable to a photodetector, and a therapy element for causing selective tissue destruction by directing energy toward the radio-labeled gland.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of glandular reduction in a patient, comprising:
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marking a gland as a target tissue with a material that emits energy; inserting a probe into the patient and the target tissue, wherein inserting the probe includes; measuring energy emitted from the marked target tissue using a detector within the probe, positioning the probe in proximity to the target tissue based upon the measured energy, and guiding the probe to the target tissue by rotating and longitudinally translating a shield surrounding the detector, wherein the shield blocks the energy, the rotating and longitudinal translating of the shield takes place within the probe, and the shield has an aperture for allowing the energy to reach the detector; and delivering therapy energy from a therapy element of the probe to the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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a probe for inserting into a body tissue containing a target tissue marked with a material that emits energy; a detector within the probe; a therapy element incorporated into the probe for delivering therapy energy to the target tissue; a control unit that includes a therapy element actuator and processing circuitry connected to a photodetector; wherein the processing circuitry is configured to measure the energy emitted from the marked target tissue from signals generated by the photodetector; wherein the therapy element actuator is operable to cause delivery of the therapy energy by the therapy element to the target tissue; and a shield surrounding the detector to block the energy, wherein the shield is within the probe, the shield has an aperture for allowing the energy to reach the detector, and the shield is rotatable and longitudinally translatable within the probe to facilitate positioning of the probe in proximity to the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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a probe for inserting into a body tissue containing a target tissue marked with a material that emits energy, wherein the probe has a closed distalmost end; a detector within the probe; a therapy element incorporated into the probe for delivering therapy energy to the target tissue; and a shield surrounding the detector to block the energy, wherein the shield is within the probe, the shield has an aperture for allowing the energy to reach the detector, and the shield and the aperture are rotatable and longitudinally translatable within the probe to facilitate positioning of the probe in proximity to the target tissue.
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Specification