A novel afterloading applicator for intraluminal rectal cavity

Abstract

The application discloses a novel afterloading applicator for rectal cavity, which is composed of a flexible applicator main body, a unit combined lead blocking group and a tail sealing device. When combined, the unit combined lead blocking group is placed into the flexible applicator main body along a guide rail, and the flexible applicator main body is connected with the tail sealing device through threads. The positioning support ring at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell is provided with a guide rail, which is used for positioning when the unit combined lead blocking group is installed. The positioning sleeve provided with threads is provided with a circumferential groove, which is mortised and fixed with the flexible polyurethane shell. The opening of the flexible polyurethane shell is provided with a strip-shaped groove, which is used for positioning and installing a pressing block. In the application, the flexible applicator shell is used to replace the traditional hard shell, and the unit combined lead blocking group is designed, so that the problem that the traditional hard lead blocking cannot be bent is solved. Meanwhile, the lead blocking unit is internally provided with four radioactive source channels, one or several channels can be selected for use according to the position of a tumor, so that the precise dose afterloading treatment is realized, and the toxic side reaction is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a novel flexible afterloading applicator for the rectal cavity. Background Technology

[0002] Brachytherapy, as an important local radiotherapy method, delivers high doses of radiation to the tumor by placing a radiation source directly on or near the tumor tissue, while minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissues.

[0003] Afterloading is the primary method of brachytherapy. It allows for the precise placement of the applicator in the target area before the radiation source is delivered to the applicator via a tubing system. This method improves the accuracy and safety of radiation source placement and allows for flexible dose distribution adjustments based on the shape, size, and location of the tumor.

[0004] In practical applications, existing intrarectal brachytherapy applicators often struggle to be precisely positioned within the rectum. Due to the anatomical characteristics of the rectum, such as the flexibility of the rectal wall, peristalsis, and individual variations in rectal length and curvature, the applicator may shift or rotate during insertion, preventing the radiation source from accurately targeting the tumor. This can result in insufficient radiation dose to the tumor tissue, affecting treatment efficacy, while simultaneously increasing the risk of excessive radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissues (such as the bladder, prostate, and uterus around the rectum). Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a novel flexible afterloading applicator for the rectal cavity. The technical problem to be solved is: how to improve the conformity of the applicator to the patient's body, reduce the patient's pain during applicator placement, and at the same time reduce the dose to organs at risk in non-tumor areas, thereby achieving precise dose afterloading therapy.

[0006] The solution to achieve the above objective is a novel endorectal loading device that can be bent to conform to shape. This novel endorectal loading device mainly consists of a flexible loading device body, a modular lead-blocking assembly, and a tail sealing device. During assembly, the modular lead-blocking assembly is placed into the flexible loading device body along the guide rail. The flexible loading device body and the tail sealing device are connected by threads.

[0007] Furthermore, the flexible applicator body includes a flexible polyurethane shell, inside which several guide support rings and a positioning support ring are embedded at equal intervals, and a threaded positioning sleeve is embedded at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell.

[0008] The preferred embodiment of the above scheme is that the positioning support ring at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell has a guide rail for positioning during the installation of the unit-combined lead block assembly. The threaded positioning sleeve has a circumferential groove, which is mortised and fixed to the flexible polyurethane shell. The opening of the flexible polyurethane shell is provided with a strip-shaped groove for positioning and installing the pressure block.

[0009] Furthermore, the modular lead-blocking assembly includes a lead-blocking unit and a radiation source guide tube. The two ends of the lead-blocking unit are respectively provided with ball joint protrusions and ball joint grooves. The ball joint protrusion of a single lead-blocking unit and the ball joint groove of an adjacent lead-blocking unit are adaptively connected to form a ball joint. Two adjacent lead blocks in the ball joint can slide slightly. The lead-blocking assembly achieves bending conformity through the relative sliding of multiple ball joints.

[0010] The preferred embodiment of the above scheme is that the lead-blocking unit has multiple radiation source channels that extend along the long axis of the flexible polyurethane shell in a circumferentially uniform manner, and each radiation source channel is embedded with a radiation source guide tube, which is used to hold the radiation source guide tube.

[0011] Furthermore, the tail sealing device includes a pressure block and a pressure cover. The pressure block can be embedded in the groove at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell. The pressure cover is fixedly connected to the positioning sleeve by threads, thereby fixing the pressure block. The pressure block can limit the longitudinal displacement of the unit-combined lead-blocking assembly.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The technical solution provided in this application is based on the existing traditional single-channel applicator, which includes a rigid applicator shell, a rigid lead shield, and applicator channels. By using a flexible applicator shell instead of the traditional rigid shell, and through a modular lead shield design, the problem of the traditional rigid lead shield's inability to bend is solved. This allows for better adaptation to the physiological curvature of the rectum, improved coverage of high-level target areas, and reduced pressure on the rectal wall. Simultaneously, the lead shield unit has a built-in four-channel radiation source channel, enabling the planned selection of one or more channels based on the tumor location. This reduces the dose to organs at risk in non-tumor areas, achieving precise dose afterloading therapy and reducing toxic side effects. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly describe the technical solutions in this invention patent, the accompanying drawings required in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this invention.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a novel intrarectal afterloading applicator according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the positioning support ring of a novel endorectal loading device according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view and a top view of the lead-blocking unit of a novel endorectal feeding device according to the present invention.

[0017] In the figure: 1-Flexible polyurethane shell; 2-Lead-blocking unit; 3-Guide support ring; 4-Positioning support ring; 5-Positioning sleeve; 6-Pressure block; 7-Tail seal; 8-Applicator guide tube; 21-Spherical joint protrusion; 22-Spherical joint groove; 23-Applicator channel; 24-Lead-blocking guide groove; 41-Support ring guide rail. Detailed Implementation

[0018] like Figures 1-3 The image shows a novel endorectal loading applicator provided by the present invention. The novel flexible endorectal loading applicator includes a flexible polyurethane shell 1, a lead-blocking unit 2, a guide support ring 3, a positioning support ring 4, a positioning sleeve 5, a pressure block 6, a tail seal 7, and an applicator guide tube 8.

[0019] Furthermore, ten guide support rings 3 and one positioning support ring 4 are evenly embedded inside the flexible polyurethane shell 1 to ensure a certain degree of flexibility. A positioning sleeve 5 is installed at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell 1. The positioning support ring 4 at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell 1 has a guide rail for positioning the lead-blocking unit 2 during installation. The positioning sleeve 5 has a circumferential groove that is mortised and fixed to the flexible polyurethane shell 1. A strip-shaped groove is provided at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell 1 for positioning and installing the pressure block 6.

[0020] Furthermore, ball joint protrusions 21 and ball joint grooves 22 are respectively provided at both ends of the lead-blocking unit 2. The ball joint protrusion 21 of a single lead-blocking unit 2 and the ball joint groove 22 of an adjacent lead-blocking unit are adaptively connected to form a ball joint. Two adjacent lead-blocking units 2 in the ball joint can slide slightly. The lead-blocking assembly achieves bending conformity through the relative sliding of multiple ball joints. Four radiation source channels 23 extending along the long axis of the flexible polyurethane shell 1 are evenly arranged circumferentially on the lead-blocking unit 2. Each radiation source channel 23 is embedded with a radiation source guide tube 8, which is used to hold the radiation source guide tube.

[0021] Furthermore, the pressure block 6 can be embedded in the groove at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell 1, and the pressure cover 7 and the positioning sleeve 5 are fixedly connected by threads, thereby fixing the pressure block 6. The pressure block 6 can limit the longitudinal displacement of the lead-blocking unit 2.

[0022] Preferably, the technical solution provided by the present invention is based on the existing traditional single-channel applicator, which includes a rigid applicator shell, a rigid lead shield, and an applicator channel. By using a flexible polyurethane shell 1 instead of the traditional rigid shell, and through the design of the lead shield unit 2, the problem that the traditional rigid lead shield cannot be bent is solved. This allows it to better adapt to the physiological curvature of the rectum, improve the coverage of the high target area, and reduce the pressure on the rectal wall.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the lead-blocking unit 2 has four symmetrical radiation source channels 23 built in, which can systematically select one or more radiation source channels 23 for use according to the tumor location, reduce the dose to organs at risk in non-tumor areas, achieve precise dose afterloading therapy, and reduce toxic side effects.

[0024] The embodiments should not be considered as limitations on the present invention, but any improvements made based on the spirit of the present invention should be within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A novel endorectal loading device, characterized in that: It mainly consists of a flexible applicator body, a modular lead-blocking assembly, and a tail sealing device. During assembly, the modular lead-blocking assembly is placed into the flexible applicator body along a guide rail. The flexible applicator body and the tail sealing device are connected by threads. The tail sealing device includes a pressure block and a pressure cap. The flexible applicator body includes a flexible polyurethane shell. Several guide support rings and a positioning support ring are evenly embedded inside the flexible polyurethane shell. A threaded positioning sleeve is embedded at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell. The positioning support ring at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell has a guide rail for positioning the modular lead-blocking assembly during installation. The threaded positioning sleeve has a circumferential groove, which is mortised and fixed to the flexible polyurethane shell. A strip-shaped groove is provided at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell for positioning and installing the pressure block. The modular lead-blocking assembly includes a lead-blocking unit and a radiation source guide tube. The lead-blocking unit has multiple radiation source channels evenly arranged circumferentially along the long axis of the flexible polyurethane shell. Each radiation source channel is embedded with a radiation source guide tube, which is used to hold the radiation source guide tube.

2. The novel endorectal loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the lead-blocking unit are respectively provided with ball joint protrusions and ball joint grooves. The ball joint protrusion of a single lead-blocking unit and the ball joint groove of the adjacent lead-blocking unit are adaptively connected to form a ball joint. Two adjacent lead blocks in the ball joint can slide slightly. The lead-blocking group achieves bending conformity through the relative sliding of multiple ball joints.

3. A novel endorectal loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure block of the tail sealing device can be embedded in the groove at the opening of the flexible polyurethane shell. The pressure cover and the positioning sleeve are fixedly connected by threads, which simultaneously fixes the pressure block. The pressure block can limit the longitudinal displacement of the unit-combined lead-blocking assembly.

4. A novel endorectal loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of guide support rings is 10; the number of radiation source channels is 4.

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