Brachytherapy apparatus for asymmetrical body cavities

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus, system and method that delivers partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a trocar. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources, at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation, a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and / or size of the body cavity.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 305,437, titled “Brachytherapy Apparatus,” filed on Dec. 16, 2005, with the same inventors as in the present application.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] The present disclosure relates to radiation treatment and more particularly, to an apparatus and method that allows cancer patients to receive a low dose radiation treatment after removal of a tumor. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Today, a number of treatment options exist for patients who are diagnosed with cancer. With respect to breast cancer, mastectomies commonly have been used. A mastectomy involves removal of all or a part of the breast tissue, and sometimes also involves removal of the underlying pectoral muscles and lymph nodes around the breasts. Mastectomies may be accompanied by significant scarring, thus adversely affecting the aesthetic appearance or cosmesis of the breast and surround...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The present disclosure addresses the deficiencies noted hereinabove by providing an interstitial brachytherapy apparatus that may be implanted in a single visit, thereby reducing the number of office visits and providing a more convenient treatment regimen.

Problems solved by technology

Mastectomies may be accompanied by significant scarring, thus adversely affecting the aesthetic appearance or cosmesis of the breast and surrounding tissue.

Moreover, removal of all or large regions of the breast may have an associated significant physical trauma as well as psychological trauma.

Such a high number of treatments may be not only inconvenient for the patient, it may also be expensive since each time the patient sees a doctor, a charge may follow.

Even for insured patients, all of the charges may not be covered by the patient's insurance.

Moreover, lumpectomies involving full breast irradiation may result in significant surface tissue damage of healthy tissue since the entire breast is being irradiated.

Likewise, the cosmesis or aesthetic appearance of the breast may be compromised since the entire breast is being irradiated.

Moreover, because more tissue is affected, the risk of complications may increase with full breast irradiation.

With high-dose irradiation, significant patient discomfort may result since multiple needles and catheters are placed into the breast.

Moreover, there is a greater chance that surface tissue damage may occur, resulting in scarring and sensitivity due to the use of the multiple needles and catheters.

However, the patient selection criteria may be limited in that patients with small breasts may not be good candidates.

For example, the breast may be too small to allow proper inflation of the balloon since the balloon relies on air for expansion.

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