Radiotherapy seeds and applicators
Inventors
Kelson, Itzhak • Keisari, Yona • Schmidt, Michael • Magen, Ofer • Sosnovitch, Amitai • Keret, Guy • Gat, Amnon
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12138474-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A casing holding one or more brachytherapy seeds for implanting in a patient, which in turn carry atoms of a radioactive element for radiotherapy treatment is filled with a viscous liquid in a manner preventing radiation from the one or more brachytherapy seeds from exiting the casing. The casing may include a metallic or non-metallic elongated tube configured for insertion into tissue or a vial for delivering a seed to a physician for insertion into a needle.
Core Innovation
The disclosed subject matter concerns brachytherapy apparatuses in which viscous liquid surrounds radioactive seeds within a casing to prevent radiation or radioactive daughter nuclei from exiting. The liquid may also carry daughter nuclei into a tumor for radiotherapy treatment. Other disclosed structures include seed applicators with elongated tubes, stylets, hubs and collection chambers, as well as seed-loading devices and strand-based seed placement arrangements.
The partial content describes non-metallic tubes that can permit seed viewing in ultrasound images, and structures for collecting or returning viscous liquid that expands during heat sterilization. It also describes seed delivery using a piston-driven vial and implants associated with a strand or wire. The background section is not included in the supplied content, so the problem described there is not explicitly available.
Claims Coverage
The six independent claims are claims 1, 14, 16, 19, 23, and 30. They cover six inventive features involving seed containment, applicator structures, seed loading, and seed placement.
Brachytherapy seed containment in viscous liquid
A casing contains one or more seeds carrying atoms of an alpha-emitting radioactive element, with viscous liquid surrounding the seeds in a manner that prevents daughter nuclei from exiting the casing.
Applicator with a liquid collection chamber
A brachytherapy apparatus includes an elongated tube adapted for insertion into a patient, a stylet, and a proximal hub with an empty chamber configured to collect excess viscous liquid when it expands due to heat sterilization. The liquid prevents radiation from the seeds from exiting the casing.
Needle loading with a seed and viscous liquid
A method claim covers loading a needle with a brachytherapy seed and viscous liquid through the needle's sharp tip.
Seed loading device with radon containment
A central chamber stores a Radium-carrying brachytherapy seed and viscous liquid; a needle port aligns and locks a needle with the seed, and a piston pushes the seed into the needle. The viscous liquid prevents released Radon from leaving the device.
Non-metallic tube seed applicator
A brachytherapy seed applicator includes a hollow needle, a non-metallic elongated tube configured for insertion into tissue, a proximal hub, radioactive-particle-carrying seeds, and a stylet configured to push the seeds to the tube's distal end.
Strand-based seed placement in tissue
A method claim covers placement of one or more brachytherapy seeds carried on a strand so that the seeds remain in body tissue as the needle is retrieved.
The independent claims cover containment of radioactive material by viscous liquid, applicator and loading-device structures, and arrangements for placing brachytherapy seeds in tissue.
Stated Advantages
The viscous liquid prevents radiation or radioactive daughter nuclei from exiting the casing or loading device.
The non-metallic elongated tube allows the seeds to be viewed in an ultrasound image of the applicator.
Documented Applications
Brachytherapy radiotherapy treatment in a patient using seeds carrying radioactive atoms or particles.
Placement of brachytherapy seeds in body tissue, including the stated use of daughter nuclei in viscous liquid entering a tumor for radiotherapy treatment.
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