System and method for creating custom brachytherapy carriers

Abstract

Custom radioactive seed carriers are created pre-operatively and / or intra-operatively to more precisely match the carrier specifications of the radiation treatment plan for a particular patient. Custom carriers may be formed using one or more carrier-specific components, such as a 3D printer, an injection molding system, machined components, or a bioprinter.

Claims

1. A step in which a custom carrier system receives treatment specifications, including at least tumor cavity size and shape and radiation dose; In the step where the custom carrier system determines the carrier configuration based on the treatment specifications, the carrier configuration indicates, at least for the custom carrier, the carrier shape and the number of radioactive seeds; The custom carrier system generates the custom carrier using one or more custom carrier components based on at least the carrier configuration, wherein the custom carrier components include one or more of a 3D printer, an injection molding system, a machined component, or a bioprinter; The custom carrier system inserts one or more radioactive seeds into the custom carrier according to the seed positions indicated in the treatment specifications, based on the number of radioactive seeds indicated in at least the carrier configuration; The custom carrier system freeze-dries the custom carrier; The custom carrier system provides the custom carrier for implantation into the tumor cavity. A method for providing this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carrier configuration further includes radioactive seed intensity and orientation of radioactive seeds.

3. A step in which the custom carrier system receives treatment specifications, including at least the size and shape of the tumor cavity and the radiation dose; In the step where the custom carrier system determines the carrier configuration based on the treatment specifications, the carrier configuration indicates, at least for the custom carrier, the carrier shape and the number of radioactive seeds; The custom carrier system determines a custom mold configuration based on at least the carrier configuration; The custom carrier system provides the custom mold configuration to the 3D printer, and the 3D printer generates the custom mold; The custom carrier system is a step in which it forms a custom carrier using the custom mold created by the 3D printer; The custom carrier system inserts one or more radioactive seeds into the custom carrier based on the number of radioactive seeds indicated in at least the carrier configuration; The custom carrier system performs a step of freeze-drying the custom carrier; The custom carrier system includes the step of sterilizing the custom carrier; and The custom carrier system initiates the transfer of the custom carrier to the location where implantation will be performed, wherein the custom carrier is specifically designed for implantation into the tumor cavity. A method for providing this.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the custom carrier is rectangular.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the custom carrier is spherical.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the custom carrier has a shape and size that reflects the tumor cavity.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the spherical custom carrier has a diameter of 1 to 7 centimeters.

8. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the custom carrier is configured to separate into a plurality of smaller custom carriers that are implanted in the tumor cavity.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the separation is performed using a cutting device.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the custom carrier has one or more markings indicating a position where the custom carrier is configured to be separated.

11. The method according to claim 3, wherein the custom carrier is configured to expand upon hydration.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the hydration is provided by physiological saline or body fluid.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier configuration further includes radioactive seed intensity and orientation of radioactive seeds.

14. A step in which a custom carrier system receives treatment specifications, including at least tumor cavity size and shape and radiation dose; In the step where the custom carrier system determines a desired carrier configuration based on the treatment specifications, the desired carrier configuration indicates, at least for the custom carrier, the carrier shape and the number of radioactive seeds; The custom carrier system determines the tightest-fitting carrier that has already been created and is available for planting, the tightest-fitting carrier has an available carrier configuration, and In response to a determination, based on a comparison of the available carrier configurations with the desired carrier configuration, that the most tightly fitting carrier does not meet the therapeutic specifications, the custom carrier system may proceed to generate the custom carrier using one or more custom carrier components, the custom carrier components including one or more of a 3D printer, an injection molding system, a machined component, or a bioprinter; or In response to a determination, based on a comparison of the available carrier configurations with the desired carrier configuration, that the tightest-fitting carrier satisfies the treatment specifications, the custom carrier system initiates the retrieval of the tightest-fitting carrier without generating a custom carrier. A method for providing this.

15. The custom carrier system selects a plurality of radioactive seeds having seed strengths indicated in the treatment specifications; and The custom carrier system implants the plurality of radioactive seeds in the positions and orientations specified in the treatment specifications. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

16. A step in which a custom carrier system receives treatment specifications, including at least tumor cavity size and shape and radiation dose; In the step where the custom carrier system determines a desired carrier configuration based on the treatment specifications, the desired carrier configuration indicates the carrier shape and the number of radioactive seeds for the custom carrier; The custom carrier system determines whether the surgical procedure in which the custom carrier is implanted is performed immediately before a threshold time, and In response to the decision that the surgical procedure will be performed sooner than the threshold time, the custom carrier system determines the tightest-fitting carrier that has already been created and is available for implantation, the tightest-fitting carrier has the most available carrier configuration closest to the desired carrier configuration, and the retrieval of the tightest-fitting carrier begins; or In response to the determination that the surgical procedure will not be performed immediately after a threshold time, the custom carrier system begins generating a custom carrier having the desired carrier configuration using one or more custom carrier components, the custom carrier components including one or more of a 3D printer, an injection molding system, a machined component, or a bioprinter. A method for providing this.

17. The custom carrier system is further comprising the step of sterilizing the custom carrier before planting. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

18. The custom carrier system selects a plurality of radioactive seeds having seed strengths indicated in the treatment specifications; and The custom carrier system implants the plurality of radioactive seeds in the positions and orientations specified in the treatment specifications. The method according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising:

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