Liquid radioactive source applicator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid radioactive source application device, which has a structure in which a nuclide channel is provided in an application catheter, a plurality of nuclide balloons are provided along the front end of the application catheter, the nuclide balloons are connected to the nuclide channel, a nuclide inlet connected to the nuclide channel is provided at the rear end of the application catheter, a retractable positioning bracket is provided at the front end of the application catheter, and the application catheter is located at the center of the positioning bracket, a bracket recovery inner sleeve is connected to the outer sleeve of the application catheter, a radiation-proof outer sleeve is connected to the outer sleeve of the bracket recovery inner sleeve, a traction line is connected to the positioning bracket, the traction line passes through the bracket recovery inner sleeve and extends from the rear end of the bracket recovery inner sleeve. The nuclides of the present invention will not be lost, will not accumulate in other organs and cause damage. The dose can be accurately calculated, so the efficacy and complications can be accurately predicted. The dose distribution of organs at risk around the target area can be accurately assessed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a source application device, in particular to a liquid radioactive source application device. Background Art

[0002] Liquid radionuclides are widely used to treat various diseases, such as iodine-131 for hyperthyroidism and yttrium-90 embolization for liver cancer. These treatments all work by administering them orally or intravascularly, allowing the radionuclide to accumulate in the lesion, where the radiation released kills the cells within the lesion, achieving therapeutic efficacy. However, these methods have the following disadvantages: 1. Radionuclide loss can occur, preventing the radionuclide from reaching the target lesion, and accurate calculation of the target dose is difficult. 2. Radionuclide entry into the patient's bloodstream can lead to accumulation in other organs, causing radiation damage. 3. Tumors lacking a blood supply or physiologically lacking radionuclide uptake cannot be treated. 4. Accurate two-dimensional and three-dimensional dose distributions cannot be accurately calculated for the target lesion. 5. Organ-at-risk doses cannot be accurately assessed. 6. Precise prediction of efficacy and complications is difficult. 7. Previous oral or intravascular injection methods of liquid radionuclides cannot treat vascular stenosis. Therefore, the existing methods of oral administration or intravascular injection of liquid radionuclides often lead to recurrence of the treated disease due to inaccurate target doses, and the accumulation of radionuclides in other organs can easily lead to complications. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid radioactive source application device to solve the problems of inaccurate target dose and nuclide loss caused by the existing methods of oral administration or intravascular injection of liquid radioactive nuclides.

[0004] The present invention is implemented as follows: a liquid radioactive source application device, a nuclide channel is provided in the application catheter, a plurality of nuclide balloons are provided along the front end of the application catheter, the nuclide balloons are connected to the nuclide channel, a nuclide inlet connected to the nuclide channel is provided at the rear end of the application catheter, a retractable positioning bracket is provided at the front end of the application catheter, and the application catheter is located at the center of the positioning bracket, a bracket recovery inner sleeve is connected to the outer sleeve of the application catheter, a radiation-proof outer sleeve is connected to the outer sleeve of the bracket recovery inner sleeve, a traction line is connected to the positioning bracket, and the traction line passes through the bracket recovery inner sleeve and extends from the rear end of the bracket recovery inner sleeve.

[0005] A distal mark is provided at the front end of the source catheter, and a proximal mark is provided at the front end of the radiation protection outer sleeve. The proximal mark and the distal mark are X-ray development marks.

[0006] A guidewire channel is also provided in the source catheter, and the guidewire channel runs through the entire source catheter.

[0007] The positioning bracket includes a bracket wall with a mesh structure, and a support frame is evenly arranged around the axis on the inner wall of the bracket wall. The support frame contacts the outer wall of the source catheter or the outer wall of the radionuclide balloon. An annular recovery line is arranged at the rear end of the bracket wall, and the traction line is connected to the recovery line.

[0008] The front end of the stent recovery inner sleeve is a trumpet-shaped recovery port, which is composed of a plurality of petals, and the petals are inclined outward in the radial direction of the stent recovery inner sleeve.

[0009] It also includes a nuclide injection device, which includes a radiation-proof box, a syringe shell is arranged in the radiation-proof box, and a water inlet pipe and a nuclide outflow pipe are respectively connected at both ends of the syringe shell. The nuclide outflow pipe is used to communicate with the nuclide inlet. A hydraulic piston is arranged in the syringe shell, and the hydraulic piston divides the inner cavity of the syringe shell into two cavities. The cavity connected to the nuclide outflow pipe is used to hold liquid nuclides.

[0010] A pressure measuring tube is connected to the cavity in the syringe housing that is in communication with the water inlet pipe. The pressure measuring tube extends out of the radiation protection box and is connected to a pressure measuring device.

[0011] The present invention is used for the application of liquid radionuclides. Since the liquid radionuclides are not directly taken orally or injected into the human body, but are transported into radionuclide balloons, and since the radionuclides are within the radionuclide balloons and the application catheter and do not enter the blood circulation, the radionuclides will not be lost and will not accumulate in other organs and cause damage. The number and size of the radionuclide balloons can be controlled, so the dose can be accurately calculated, and thus the efficacy and complications can be accurately predicted. Radiotherapy can be performed by puncturing tumors or natural human cavities, and theoretically it can be applied to various tumors. The accurate two-dimensional and three-dimensional dose distribution of the target lesion can be accurately calculated based on images such as CT and MRI. The dose distribution of organs at risk around the target area can be accurately assessed. It can also be used to treat vascular stenosis.

[0012] The present invention can ensure the accuracy of the target area dose, avoid the recurrence of the disease, and avoid complications caused by the accumulation of radionuclides in other organs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the nuclide injection device of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the cross section of the source catheter of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the inflated nuclide balloon of the present invention.

[0017] In the figure: 1. Source catheter; 2. Radionuclide balloon; 3. Positioning stent; 4. Pull line; 5. Stent recovery inner sleeve; 6. Radiation-proof outer sleeve; 7. Distal mark; 8. Proximal mark; 9. Radiation-proof box; 10. Syringe housing; 11. Hydraulic piston; 12. Water inlet pipe; 13. Radionuclide outflow pipe; 14. Pressure measuring tube; 1-1. Radionuclide inlet; 1-2. Radionuclide channel; 1-3. Guidewire channel; 3-1. Stent wall; 3-2. Support frame; 5-1. Recovery port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention is a liquid radioactive source application device, which has a structure of a nuclide channel 1-2 provided in a source catheter 1, a plurality of nuclide balloons 2 provided along the front end of the source catheter 1, the nuclide balloons 2 being connected to the nuclide channel 1-2, a nuclide inlet 1-1 connected to the nuclide channel 1-2 being provided at the rear end of the source catheter 1, a retractable positioning bracket 3 being provided at the front end of the source catheter 1, and the source catheter 1 being located at the center of the positioning bracket 3, a bracket recovery inner sleeve 5 being connected to the outer surface of the source catheter 1, a radiation-proof outer sleeve 6 being connected to the outer surface of the bracket recovery inner sleeve 5, a traction line 4 being connected to the positioning bracket 3, the traction line 4 passing through the bracket recovery inner sleeve 5 and extending from the rear end of the bracket recovery inner sleeve 5.

[0019] like Figure 3 As shown, the source catheter 1 of the present invention has a dual-channel structure, including a nuclide channel 1-2 and a guidewire channel 1-3. The guidewire channel 1-3 is used to connect a guidewire, so it runs through the entire source catheter 1. During use, the guidewire can be introduced from the rear end of the source catheter 1 and exited from the front end of the source catheter 1. The nuclide channel 1-2 is used to transport liquid nuclides. Therefore, the rear end of the nuclide channel 1-2 is connected to the nuclide inlet 1-1, and the front end of the nuclide channel 1-2 is connected to the nuclide balloon 2 on the source catheter 1. The liquid nuclide injected from the nuclide inlet 1-1 passes through the nuclide channel 1-2 and enters each nuclide balloon 2. A switch is provided on the nuclide inlet 1-1.

[0020] The source catheter 1 can be guided to the treatment area via a guide wire.

[0021] The nuclide balloon 2 is made of a flexible material. When the liquid nuclide enters the balloon 2, it inflates. The diameter of the balloon 2 can be adjusted as needed to control the nuclide dose. The balloon 2 has a specific length, and multiple balloons 2 can be connected end to end or spaced a certain distance apart to control the dose distribution.

[0022] However, not all liquid nuclides within the nuclide balloon 2 will have a therapeutic effect. A radiation-proof outer sheath 6 is attached to the source catheter 1. Based on the dose distribution design requirements, unused nuclide balloons 2 are shielded by the radiation-proof outer sheath 6. Only the nuclide balloons 2 extending beyond the radiation-proof outer sheath 6 will reach the target area, thereby controlling the length of the radioactive nuclide. Furthermore, if the nuclide balloon 2 is within the radiation-proof outer sheath 6, the nuclide balloon 2 within the radiation-proof outer sheath 6 will not be filled during injection of the liquid nuclide, and thus the nuclide balloon 2 within the radiation-proof outer sheath 6 will not have a therapeutic effect. The relative position of the radiation-proof outer sheath 6 and the source catheter 1 can be adjusted based on the length of the tumor to determine the actual treatment length.

[0023] A distal marker 7 is provided at the front end of the source catheter 1, and a proximal marker 8 is provided at the front end of the radiation-protective outer sleeve 6. The distal marker 7 is used to determine the position of the front end of the source catheter 1. The distal marker 7 is visualized under X-rays, thereby locating the starting position of the radionuclide balloon 2. The proximal marker 8 is used to determine the front end of the radiation-protective outer sleeve 6. The proximal marker 8 is visualized under X-rays, thereby locating the end position of the radionuclide balloon 2 acting on the target area. By combining the distal marker 7 and the proximal marker 8 with X-ray development technology, the radionuclide balloon 2 can be accurately positioned at the predetermined position, and the length of the effective radionuclide area (the portion of the radionuclide balloon 2 that is not shielded by the radiation-protective outer sleeve 6 and can directly act on the surrounding tissue) can be accurately controlled.

[0024] The positioning bracket 3 includes a bracket wall 3-1 with a mesh structure, and a support frame 3-2 is evenly arranged around the axis on the inner wall of the bracket wall 3-1. The support frame 3-2 is in contact with the outer wall of the source catheter 1 or the outer wall of the radionuclide balloon 2. A ring-shaped recovery line is arranged at the rear end of the bracket wall 3-1, and the traction line 4 is connected to the recovery line.

[0025] The positioning stent 3 is made of metal or biomaterial. The stent wall 3-1 is generally cylindrical and has a mesh structure uniformly formed therein. The mesh structure of the stent wall 3-1 has a certain support capacity and can be folded and contracted under a certain external force. The stent wall 3-1 contacts the outer wall of the source catheter 1 or the outer wall of the radionuclide balloon 2 through a support frame 3-2 of a sheet or columnar structure. Because the support frame 3-2 is evenly distributed around the axis of the positioning stent 3, the support frame 3-2 serves as the centering force, keeping the source catheter 1 at the center of the positioning stent 3. This ensures that the distance between the radionuclide balloon 2 and the surrounding human tissue is consistent, ensuring that the radionuclide radiation dose is evenly applied to the surrounding tissue.

[0026] Initially, the positioning stent 3 is retracted and concealed within the stent retrieval inner sleeve 5. It advances with the source catheter 1. When the nuclear balloon 2 reaches the desired position, the stent retrieval inner sleeve 5 and the radiation-shielding outer sleeve 6 are retracted to release the positioning stent 3, which then deploys. During the advancement of the device, the positioning stent 3 remains concealed within the stent retrieval inner sleeve 5, preventing it from interfering with the device's progress.

[0027] Optimally, the support frame 3-2 of the positioning bracket 3 is in contact with the outer wall of the source catheter 1, and the support frame 3-2 is elastic. In the preparatory stage, the positioning bracket 3 is sleeved on the corresponding position of the source catheter 1, and the support frame 3-2 avoids the position of the radionuclide balloon 2, so that the support frame 3-2 is in contact with the outer wall of the source catheter 1 between two adjacent radionuclide balloons 2. Then, the positioning bracket 3 is contracted and the bracket recovery inner sleeve 5 and the radiation-proof outer sleeve 6 are sleeved on the source catheter 1 in sequence, so that the positioning bracket 3 is hidden, and the positioning bracket 3 can move with the device as a whole.

[0028] Due to the presence of the positioning stent 3, the present invention is suitable for treating vascular stenosis.

[0029] While releasing the positioning stent 3 is easy, recovering it is difficult. Conventional methods typically retain the positioning stent 3 within the human body or utilize biodegradable materials. However, in the present invention, the positioning stent 3 must be removed and recovered. To ensure convenient recovery, a special design has been implemented.

[0030] In the present invention, the recovery of the positioning stent 3 is achieved through the recovery line, the traction line 4 and the stent recovery inner sleeve 5.

[0031] A ring-shaped recovery line is provided at the rear end of the bracket wall 3-1, and the traction line 4 is connected to the recovery line. Since the bracket wall 3-1 is a mesh structure, the recovery line passes through each mesh in turn. When the recovery line is pulled by the traction line 4, the recovery line can shrink the end of the bracket wall 3-1 and make it smaller. The smaller positioning bracket 3 is pulled out and recovered through the bracket recovery inner sleeve 5.

[0032] In order to facilitate the recovery of the positioning bracket 3, the front end of the bracket recovery inner sleeve 5 is a trumpet-shaped recovery port 5-1. After the positioning bracket 3 enters the trumpet, it shrinks under the action of the inclined surface of the trumpet, and can smoothly enter the bracket recovery inner sleeve 5 after shrinkage.

[0033] Optimally, the recovery port 5-1 is composed of multiple petals that are inclined outward in the radial direction of the stent recovery inner sleeve 5. The entire stent recovery inner sleeve 5 or the recovery port 5-1 is made of a flexible material. The petals can swing under the action of an external force, and when all the petals are gathered together, the diameter of their outline is smaller than the inner diameter of the stent recovery inner sleeve 5. This recovery port 5-1 can be made by cutting the material at the end of the stent recovery inner sleeve 5, that is, cutting multiple cuts uniformly around the axis at the end of the stent recovery inner sleeve 5, so that the material at the end of the stent recovery inner sleeve 5 forms multiple petals, and then the petals are bent outward along their roots to form a trumpet-shaped recovery port 5-1.

[0034] Initially, the stent retrieval inner sleeve 5 is located within the radiation-shielding outer sleeve 6, with the flared opening also retracted and concealed within the radiation-shielding outer sleeve 6, thereby preventing it from interfering with the device's advancement within the body's blood vessels or tissues. When the stent 3 needs to be retrieved and positioned, the stent retrieval inner sleeve 5 is pushed forward relative to the radiation-shielding outer sleeve 6. The flap at the front end of the stent retrieval inner sleeve 5, freed from the restraint of the radiation-shielding outer sleeve 6, expands outward to form the flared opening.

[0035] The present invention also includes a nuclide injection device, which is used to transport liquid nuclide into the nuclide balloon 2 of the source catheter 1.

[0036] The nuclide injection device includes a radiation-proof box 9, in which a syringe housing 10 is arranged. A water inlet pipe 12 and a nuclide outflow pipe 13 are respectively connected at both ends of the syringe housing 10. The nuclide outflow pipe 13 is used to communicate with the nuclide inlet 1-1. A hydraulic piston 11 is provided in the syringe housing 10. The hydraulic piston 11 divides the inner cavity of the syringe housing 10 into two cavities. The cavity connected to the nuclide outflow pipe 13 is used to hold liquid nuclides.

[0037] A pressure measuring tube 14 is connected to the cavity in the syringe housing 10 that is connected to the water inlet pipe 12. The pressure measuring tube 14 extends out of the radiation protection box 9 and is connected to a pressure measuring device.

[0038] The radiation shielding housing 9 shields the liquid nuclide from radiation. Liquid nuclide injection is hydraulically driven to prevent direct contact or exposure to radiation by the operator. Water is delivered to the syringe housing 10 via the water inlet pipe 12, pushing the hydraulic piston 11 to move. This delivers the liquid nuclide through the nuclide outlet pipe 13 to the nuclide inlet 1-1. The liquid nuclide then enters the nuclide balloon 2 through the nuclide channel 1-2. When the nuclide balloon 2 expands to its maximum size, the liquid nuclide pressure increases. This pressure is transmitted to the pressure gauge 14 and monitored by a pressure measuring device. Water injection is stopped when the pressure displayed by the pressure measuring device reaches a predetermined value. At this point, the size of the nuclide balloon 2 has been achieved.

[0039] The radiation-proof box 9 is supported by lead glass, which can shield radiation while allowing the internal situation to be observed from the outside.

[0040] When the present invention is used to treat tumors, the steps are as follows:

[0041] 1. Establish a channel to the treatment area: For tumor treatment, percutaneous puncture can be performed to directly reach the tumor, and then a thicker trocar can be used to establish a channel and insert a guide wire. For cavity tumors, a guide wire can be placed through the normal cavity of the human body to establish a channel. For vascular stenosis, a channel can be established and a guide wire can be inserted through conventional vascular interventional approaches.

[0042] 2. Place the source catheter 1 into the treatment area: Insert the guidewire tip into the established treatment area channel. Once the guidewire reaches the desired location, insert the guidewire tail into the tip of the source catheter 1. Once the guidewire tail exits the source catheter tail, ensure the guidewire remains in place and pass through the guidewire channels 1-3 in the source catheter 1. Insert the source catheter 1, along with the positioning stent 3, the stent retrieval inner cannula 5, and the radiation-shielding outer cannula 6, into the treatment area. Observe the position of the distal marker 7 in real time using X-rays or other methods. When the distal end of the radionuclide balloon 2 reaches the desired location, determine the required treatment length based on the imaging. Retract the stent retrieval inner cannula 5 and the radiation-shielding outer cannula 6, releasing the positioning stent 3. Simultaneously, calculate the number of balloons to be released based on the length of each balloon. Continue retracting the stent retrieval inner cannula 5 and the radiation-shielding outer cannula 6. When the proximal marker 8 reaches the desired location, sufficient radionuclide balloons 2 have been released.

[0043] 3. Liquid Nuclide Preparation: Fill the cavity in the syringe housing 10, connected to the nuclide outflow tube 13, with liquid nuclide and contrast agent. Then, place the syringe housing 10 in the radiation shielding box 9. Extend the water inlet pipe 12 and the nuclide outflow tube 13 through the holes on the side walls of the radiation shielding box 9. Connect the nuclide outflow tube 13 to the nuclide inlet 1-1, and the pressure measuring tube 14 to the pressure measuring device.

[0044] 4. Liquid radionuclide injection: Turn on the switch of the radionuclide inlet 1-1, use a syringe or liquid pumping device to deliver water into the syringe housing 10 through the water inlet pipe 12, observe the position of the hydraulic piston 11 in the syringe housing 10 through the lead glass, and observe the balloon expansion under X-ray fluoroscopy. Observe the pressure value measured by the pressure measuring device. When the pressure reaches the preset pressure value, stop the injection and turn off the switch of the radionuclide inlet 1-1. At this time, the radionuclide balloon 2 is as follows Figure 4 As shown, the nuclide balloon 2 is filled with liquid nuclide.

[0045] 5. Radionuclide therapy: Scan the treatment area with CT or MRI, calculate the required treatment time based on the size, depth, length, etc. of the tumor, and when the treatment time arrives, open the switch of the radionuclide inlet 1-1 to extract the liquid radionuclide in the radionuclide balloon 2.

[0046] 6. Withdraw the source catheter 1: Push the stent recovery inner sleeve 5 forward, and wait for the front end of the stent recovery inner sleeve 5 to extend out of the radiation protection outer sleeve 6 and then wait for the front end of the horn to open. Figure 1 As shown, the recovery line is then pulled, and after the positioning stent 3 is completely inserted into the stent recovery inner sleeve 5, the source catheter 1 is pulled out along the guide wire. The pulled-out parts are placed in a radiation-proof container for harmless treatment.

[0047] The present invention is used for the administration of liquid radionuclides. Since the liquid radionuclides are not directly administered orally or injected into the human body, they are instead delivered to a radionuclide balloon 2. Since the radionuclides remain within the radionuclide balloon 2 and the administration catheter 1 and do not enter the blood circulation, they are not lost and will not accumulate in other organs and cause damage. The number and size of the radionuclide balloons 2 can be controlled, allowing for precise calculation of the dose, and thus accurate prediction of efficacy and complications. Radiotherapy can be performed by puncturing tumors or natural human cavities and is theoretically applicable to various tumors. The precise two-dimensional and three-dimensional dose distribution of the target lesion can be accurately calculated based on images such as CT and MRI. The dose distribution of organs at risk around the target area can be accurately assessed. Furthermore, the device can be used to treat vascular stenosis.

[0048] The present invention can ensure the accuracy of the target area dose, avoid the recurrence of the disease, and avoid complications caused by the accumulation of radionuclides in other organs.

Claims

1. A liquid radioactive source application device, characterized in that: A nuclide channel is provided in the source catheter, a number of nuclide balloons are provided along the front end of the source catheter, the nuclide balloons are communicated with the nuclide channel, a nuclide inlet communicated with the nuclide channel is provided at the rear end of the source catheter, a retractable positioning bracket is provided at the front end of the source catheter, and the source catheter is located at the center of the positioning bracket, a bracket recovery inner sleeve is connected to the outer surface of the source catheter, a radiation-proof outer sleeve is connected to the outer surface of the bracket recovery inner sleeve, a traction line is connected to the positioning bracket, and the traction line passes through the bracket recovery inner sleeve and extends from the rear end of the bracket recovery inner sleeve; The positioning bracket includes a bracket wall with a mesh structure, and support frames are evenly arranged around the axis on the inner wall of the bracket wall. The support frames are in contact with the outer wall of the source catheter between two adjacent nuclear balloons. An annular recovery line is provided at the rear end of the bracket wall, and the traction line is connected to the recovery line. It also includes a nuclide injection device, which includes a radiation-proof box, a syringe shell is arranged in the radiation-proof box, and a water inlet pipe and a nuclide outflow pipe are respectively connected at both ends of the syringe shell. The nuclide outflow pipe is used to communicate with the nuclide inlet. A hydraulic piston is arranged in the syringe shell, and the hydraulic piston divides the inner cavity of the syringe shell into two cavities. The cavity connected to the nuclide outflow pipe is used to hold liquid nuclides.

2. The liquid radioactive source applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A distal mark is provided at the front end of the source catheter, and a proximal mark is provided at the front end of the radiation protection outer sleeve. The proximal mark and the distal mark are X-ray development marks.

3. The liquid radioactive source applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guidewire channel is also provided in the source catheter, and the guidewire channel runs through the entire source catheter.

4. The liquid radioactive source applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end of the stent recovery inner sleeve is a trumpet-shaped recovery port, which is composed of a plurality of petals, and the petals are inclined outward in the radial direction of the stent recovery inner sleeve.

5. The liquid radioactive source applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure measuring tube is connected to the cavity in the syringe housing that is in communication with the water inlet pipe. The pressure measuring tube extends out of the radiation protection box and is connected to a pressure measuring device.

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