Apparatus for applying a predetermined x-radiation flux to an interior surface of a body cavity

• US 5,566,221 A
• Filed: 07/12/1994
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Photoelectron Corporation
• Inventors: Roth, Robert A., Harte, Kenneth J., Sliski, Alan P., Smith, Donald O.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, DON KITSUN
• Application Number:
  US08/273,963
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 378/204, 378/145, 378/64, 378/65, 128/653.1, 606/130
• US Class Current: 378/145
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22068 Centering
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1047 having centering means, e.g. balloons having an appropriate shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1014 Intracavitary radiation therapy

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a kit for delivering x-rays to the interior surface of a body cavity. The kit includes an x-ray source and an x-ray source guidance tube. The guidance tube includes an inflatable inelastic balloon disposed about and affixed at its distal end such that when inflated, the central axis of the balloon is coaxial with and is disposed about the central axis of the tubular element. Inflation and deflation of the balloon is controllable from the proximal end of the tubular element. The x-ray source may include an electron activated target for generating x-rays in response to electrons incident on the target. The x-ray source may also includes means for generating an electron beam and steering the beam so that it is incident on the target. The target end is slidably positionable within an interior channel of the source guidance tube.

Claims

1. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity, said kit comprising:

A. an x-ray source guidance assembly, said assembly including;

i. a source guidance tube extending along a central axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, said tubular element defining an interior channel extending along said central axis,

ii. an inflatable inelastic balloon disposed about and extending along a portion of said source guidance tube from an intermediate point on said source guidance tube to said distal end, said balloon being affixed to said source guidance tube at said intermediate point and at said distal end, said balloon defining an interior region disposed about said portion and when said balloon is substantially fully inflated, having a predetermined surface contour and,

B. an x-ray source cooperative with said x-ray source assembly tube, said x-ray source including an x-ray generator disposed of at or near a first end of an elongated tubular element wherein said first end of said tubular element is slidably positionable within said interior channel of said source guidance tube.

2. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 1, wherein said x-ray generator is a capsule containing a radioactive material.

3. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 1, wherein said x-ray generator includes:

i. said tubular element, said tubular element having a beam source end and a target end and defining an interior region extending along a source axis between said source end and said target end, said target end being said first end,

ii. beam source means, disposed proximal to said beam source end, for generating an electron beam passing substantially along said source axis toward said target end,

iii. target means, disposed proximal to said target end, for generating x-rays in response to incidence thereon of said electron beam, and

iv. control means for selectively activating said beam source means such that said electron beam is incident on said target means.

4. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 2, wherein said balloon defines a spherical contour when fully inflated.

5. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 2, wherein said inflated balloon has a diameter greater than a largest span of the body cavity.

6. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 3, wherein said balloon defines a spherical contour when fully inflated.

7. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 3, wherein said inflated balloon has a diameter greater than a largest span of the body cavity.

8. A kit for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 3, wherein said source guidance tube further includes a second interior channel extending from said proximal end to a point near said distal end, wherein said second interior channel is in communication to said interior region of said balloon.

9. A method for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity comprising the steps of:

A. providing an x-ray source guidance assembly, said assembly including;

i. a source guidance tube extending along a central axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, said first tubular element defining an interior channel extending along said central axis,

ii. an inflatable substantially inelastic balloon disposed about and extending along a portion of said source guidance tube from an intermediate point on said source guidance tube to said distal end, said balloon being affixed to said source guidance tube at said intermediate point and said distal end, said balloon defining an interior region disposed about said portion and, when said balloon is substantially fully inflated having a predetermined surface contour,

B. providing an x-ray source, said x-ray source including an x-ray generator at or near a first end of an elongated tubular element,

C. inserting said source guidance tube into the body such that said portion occupies a predeterrmined location within said body cavity,

D. inflating said balloon whereby said balloon is substantially fully inflated, and

E. inserting said tubular element within said interior channel such that said target end is positioned at a predetermined location along said source axis within said inflated balloon.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said x-ray generator is a capsule containing a radioactive material.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said x-ray generator includes:

i. said tubular element, said tubular element having a beam source end and a target end, and defining an interior region extending along a source axis between said source end and said target end, said target end being said first end,

ii. beam source means, disposed proximal to said beam source end, for generating an electron beam,

iii. target means, disposed proximate to said target end, for generating x-rays in response to incidence thereon of said electron beam, and

iv. control means for selectively activating said beam source means such that said electron beam is incident on said target means,

and wherein said method includes the further step of operating said controller to generate said electron beam and control said electron beam whereby said electron beam is incident on said target means, thereby generating said x-rays.

12. A method for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 11 wherein said inflating step includes a substep of inflating said balloon such that substantially all of said balloon surface contour contacts the interior surface of said body cavity.

13. A method for applying x-rays to an interior surface of a body cavity according to claim 11 wherein said balloon defines a spherical contour when fully inflated.