Brachytherapy applicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gynecological brachytherapy applicator, comprising:
- an elongate cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end in a longitudinal axis, the elongate body comprising a modular support matrix comprising a plurality of discreet units having a plurality of source lumens extending at least partially through the plurality of discreet units, and the plurality of discreet units collectively defining an arrangement of the source lumens within the elongate body, wherein the plurality of discreet units are radially expandable, providing the elongate body an unexpanded configuration and a radially expanded configuration;
wherein the plurality of discreet units comprise a plurality of modular segments assembled around the longitudinal axis to collectively define a central lumen, wherein each of the plurality of modular segments has a shape in the unexpanded configuration of the elongate body and retains the shape in the radially expanded configuration of the elongate body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described here are brachytherapy applicators that comprise a modular support matrix. The modular support matrix may define the arrangement of radiation source lumens within the brachytherapy applicator. The modular support matrix can be adjusted to position the radiation sources to obtain a certain dose and dose profile. A series of modular support matrices may be operably connected according to patient anatomy or dosing requirements. Systems and methods for using such modular brachytherapy applicators are also described.
45 Citations
63 Claims
-
1. A gynecological brachytherapy applicator, comprising:
-
an elongate cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end in a longitudinal axis, the elongate body comprising a modular support matrix comprising a plurality of discreet units having a plurality of source lumens extending at least partially through the plurality of discreet units, and the plurality of discreet units collectively defining an arrangement of the source lumens within the elongate body, wherein the plurality of discreet units are radially expandable, providing the elongate body an unexpanded configuration and a radially expanded configuration; wherein the plurality of discreet units comprise a plurality of modular segments assembled around the longitudinal axis to collectively define a central lumen, wherein each of the plurality of modular segments has a shape in the unexpanded configuration of the elongate body and retains the shape in the radially expanded configuration of the elongate body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A gynecological brachytherapy applicator, comprising:
-
an elongate cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end and comprises a plurality of discreet units having a plurality of source lumens extending at least partially through the plurality of discreet units, and the plurality of discreet units collectively defining an arrangement of the source lumens within the elongate body; wherein the plurality of discreet units comprise a plurality of stacking components connected in a series, defining a longitudinal length of the elongate cylindrical body; wherein each of the stacking components has a cylindrical configuration and comprises an array of channels, a scaffold structure positioning the array of channels, and an integrated wall in the cylindrical configuration circumferentially disposed around the array of channels, and wherein the integrated walls of the plurality of stacking components are releasably connected to one another in series wherein the channels of each stacking component operably connect to form the plurality of source lumens. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. A brachytherapy system, comprising:
- a plurality of stacking components, at least one hub, and at least one removable handle,
wherein each of the stacking components has a cylindrical configuration and comprises an array of channels, a scaffold structure positioning the array of channels, and an integrated wall in the cylindrical configuration circumferentially disposed around the array of channels, and wherein the integrated walls of the plurality of stacking components are releasably attached to one another in series, defining a longitudinal length of the brachytherapy system, wherein channels of each stacking components operably connect to form a plurality of source lumens. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
- a plurality of stacking components, at least one hub, and at least one removable handle,
-
36. A gynecological brachytherapy applicator, comprising:
-
an elongate cylindrical body comprising a plurality of elongate compressible segments each having a length, an array of channels extending longitudinally and continuously along the length of the plurality of elongate compressible segments and supported by the plurality of elongate compressible segments, and a plurality of peripheral lumens extending longitudinally and continuously along the length of the plurality of elongate compressible segments and supported by the plurality of elongate compressible segments, wherein the plurality of compressible segments provide the applicator a compressed state for advancement of the applicator to a target tissue and an uncompressed deployed state, and each of the plurality of compressible segments comprises a lumen scaffold connecting the plurality of peripheral lumens to the array of channels. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. A brachytherapy system comprising:
-
a gynecological applicator, the applicator comprising an elongate cylindrical body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a support matrix, the support matrix comprising a wall having a length extending continuously between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate cylindrical body and defining a lumen between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the wall has an unexpanded configuration and a radially expanded configuration, and a plurality of source lumens embedded within the wall and extending longitudinally and continuously along the length of the wall; and wherein the wall is constructed from an elastic material and the plurality of source lumens are received by the elastic material constructing the wall. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
45. A method for delivering radiation therapy to a gynecological tissue comprising:
-
advancing a gynecological brachytherapy applicator adjacent to a target tissue, the gynecological brachytherapy applicator comprising an elongate cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body comprising a modular support matrix comprising a plurality of discreet units having a plurality of source lumens extending at least partially through the plurality of discreet units, and the plurality of discreet units collectively defining an arrangement of the source lumens within the elongate body, wherein the plurality of discreet units are radially expandable, providing the elongate body an unexpanded configuration and a radially expanded configuration, and wherein the plurality of discreet units comprise a plurality of modular segments assembled around a longitudinal axis of the elongate cylindrical body to collectively define a central lumen, wherein each of the plurality of modular segments has a shape in the unexpanded configuration of the elongate body and retains the shape in the radially expanded configuration of the elongate body; and delivering radiation therapy to the target tissue using the brachytherapy applicator. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
-
Specification