Expandable Brachytherapy Applicator for Seed Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LDR brachytherapy techniques face challenges such as radiation source migration, inability to reposition or remove seeds, and complex dose distribution calculations, which can lead to variability in seed placement accuracy and increased procedural time due to the need for individual seed manipulation and linear delivery methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of an expandable brachytherapy treatment apparatus with an elongate core member, distal tip, and actuator that allows for the expansion of elongate members to form various shapes within a body cavity, enabling precise placement and removal of radiation sources, and the use of access ports and sheaths to minimize patient discomfort and facilitate tool insertion/removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional LDR brachytherapy techniques are used with individual seed manipulation, then radiation sources can be delivered to target tissue, but the procedural time increases significantly and placement accuracy varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual radiation sources into a single pre-assembled applicator unit that can be delivered and positioned as one integrated component. This merging of multiple seeds and delivery needles into a single applicator assembly eliminates the time-consuming process of individually manipulating and placing each seed while maintaining precise placement accuracy through the unified structure of the applicator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-assembling the radiation sources, delivery needles, and positioning structures into the applicator unit before insertion. The applicator is configured in advance with all necessary components integrated, allowing for rapid deployment without the need for time-consuming intraoperative assembly and individual seed placement adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional LDR brachytherapy uses linear delivery needles, then seeds can be implanted, but the complexity of achieving desired therapy profiles increases and requires numerous implants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the applicator through adjustable elements that allow the delivery needles and radiation sources to be positioned at variable angles and orientations relative to each other. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the formation of diverse therapy profiles (such as planar, volumetric, or surface distributions) from a single applicator design, eliminating the need for multiple different implant configurations and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal applicator design that can deliver radiation through multiple configuration modes (linear, planar, volumetric, surface) using the same basic applicator structure. This multi-functional capability allows a single applicator type to achieve various therapy profiles by adjusting the arrangement and orientation of delivery elements, thereby reducing the need for numerous specialized implants and simplifying the overall system.
3Reliability
If LDR seeds are left indwelling and free floating within target tissue, then radiation can be delivered, but the seeds become susceptible to migration and are not repositionable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the applicator unit with integrated delivery needles and positioning elements) that mediates between the radiation sources and the target tissue. This intermediary framework provides a stable, fixed reference system that anchors the radiation sources in precise positions, preventing migration while maintaining the ability to deliver radiation reliably. The applicator acts as a mediator that combines stability for radiation delivery with structural integrity that prevents seed movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A brachytherapy treatment apparatus is provided that includes a center catheter including proximal and distal ends defining a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the center catheter including a bend between the proximal and distal ends. The apparatus includes a pair of expandable catheters including pathways extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the expandable catheter distal ends coupled to the distal end of the core member. An actuator is coupled to the expandable catheters adjacent expandable portions that is movable relative to the center catheter for moving the expandable portions between a collapsed configuration wherein the expandable portions extend substantially parallel to the center catheter and an expanded configuration wherein the expandable portions bow away from one another substantially within a curved plane aligned generally with a bend of to the center catheter. A balloon is provided adjacent the expandable portions and surrounding a portion of the catheters.