Expandable brachytherapy device with constant radiation source spacing

Abstract

A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 882,391, entitled “EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE WITH CONSTANT RADIATION SOURCE SPACING,” filed Dec. 28, 2006, attorney docket no. 63344-048, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.[0002]This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 864,288, entitled “BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE HAVING SEED TUBES WITH INDIVIDUALLY-SETTABLE TISSUE SPACINGS,” filed Nov. 3, 2006, attorney docket no. 63344-045. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11 / 305,437, entitled “BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS,” filed Dec. 16, 2005, attorney docket no. 63344-021, and 11 / 379,739, entitled “BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS FOR ASYMMETRICAL CAVITIES,” filed Apr. 21, 2006, attorney docket no. 63344-023. The entire content of all three of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROU...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a brachytherapy device that includes an expandable outer cage and an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage. The device also includes a movable actuator that causes the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages. The actuator can cause the outer cage to expand but not the inner cage during movement. The device can also include a ring that causes the actuator to traverse an axis when the ring is rotated. The outer and inner cages may each include a plurality of tubes that have a distal end that can be engaged by the actuator to apply longitudinal compressive force. The inner cage may also include hollow tubes that can receive radioactive material at different locations. The device can include flexible outer and inner tubes that have different lengths and distal ends that lie in different planes. The technical effects of the patent are an improved brachytherapy device that can expand and contract to treat cancer and other diseases with radioactive materials."

Problems solved by technology

However, it may be difficult to apply a high dose to areas in need of treatment using brachytherapy, without also causing damage to healthy tissue in the vicinity.

The use of different spacings, moreover, may complicate the process of creating and implementing an effective treatment regimen.

Images