Apparatus and method for loading radioactive seeds into carriers
Inventors
Brachman, David • Fram, Evan • McBride, Heyoung • Nakaji, Peter • Thomas, Theresa • Youssef, Emad
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9403033-B1
Publication Date
2016-08-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus and method for loading brachytherapy carriers with radioactive seeds in order to implement brachytherapy treatment protocols with more precise and predictable dosimetry. These apparatuses and methods enable a medical team to create a radionuclide carrier for each patient and tumor reliably, reproducibly and efficiently.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for loading and injecting a radioactive seed into a carrier comprising collagen. The system includes a loader with a loading bed sized to support the collagen carrier and a loading port defining an entrance of a loading channel extending through the loader. An injection device contains the radioactive seed in an injection channel and includes a plunger with a longitudinal rod extending at least partially within the injection channel.
The loader and injection device engage through alignment interfaces such that the central axes of the injection channel and the loading channel are substantially aligned. With at least a portion of the injection device inserted into the loading port such that the first alignment interface engages the second alignment interface, the radioactive seed is movable out of the injection device into the collagen carrier on the loading bed in response to movement of the plunger longitudinal rod.
The disclosure further includes configurations in which a loader provides a substantially enclosed area in which the carrier is positioned and a loading channel that makes the carrier accessible from outside through the loading channel. The injection device is moved to engage loader engagement interface and injection engagement interface so that central axes are substantially aligned, and movement of the longitudinal rod causes the radioactive seed to move through the loading channel and then become embedded in the carrier. Additional features described include providing a guide channel or creating a guide channel in the carrier using a punch, including multi-port or multi-channel arrangements for concurrent seed placement.
Claims Coverage
Three independent claims are provided (apparatus and two method claims). Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on a collagen carrier and a seed-injection mechanism that aligns injection and loading channels via engagement interfaces while using a plunger with a longitudinal rod to move the radioactive seed into the carrier, including options for enclosed loader accessibility and embedded-seed placement.
Collagen carrier and loader/injection engagement
A carrier comprising collagen and configured to receive a radioactive seed; a loader having a receiving surface between first and second parallel surfaces with a loading port defining a first alignment interface; a loading bed sized to support the carrier; and an injection device having an injection channel containing a radioactive seed with the injection channel and loading channel having substantially equal diameters and a distal end sized to engage the first alignment interface.
Plunger-driven seed movement into collagen carrier
A plunger having a first end including a longitudinal rod extending at least partially within the injection channel and a second end outside of the injection channel configured for engagement by a human operator to move the longitudinal rod within the injection channel, wherein engagement of alignment interfaces and movement of the plunger towards the distal end moves the radioactive seed out into the collagen carrier on the loading bed in response to movement of the second end of the plunger towards the distal end of the injection device.
Method with aligned injection and loading channels using a plunger
Placing a collagen carrier onto a loading bed of a loader comprising a first and second parallel surfaces, a receiving surface, and a loading port defining an entrance of a loading channel; providing an injection device with an injection channel containing a radioactive seed, a distal end configured to engage the loading port, and a plunger with a longitudinal rod extending at least partially within the injection channel; engaging the distal end with the loading port such that central axes of the injection channel and the loading channel are substantially aligned; applying force towards the loader to move the longitudinal rod within the injection channel and cause the radioactive seed to move out of the injection channel into the loading channel and then into the collagen carrier; and applying force away from the loader to move the longitudinal rod out of the loading channel, leaving the radioactive seed embedded in the collagen carrier.
Enclosed loader accessibility and interface-aligned seed embedding
Positioning a loader for insertion of a radioactive seed into a carrier positioned within a substantially enclosed area, the loader comprising a loading channel extending through a surface such that the carrier is accessible from outside the substantially enclosed area through the loading channel and a loader engagement interface at an entrance of the loading channel; providing an injection device with an injection channel containing a radioactive seed, a distal end having an injection engagement interface configured to engage with the loader engagement interface, and a longitudinal rod extending at least partially within the injection channel; moving the injection device to engage the loader engagement interface such that central axes of the injection channel and the loading channel are substantially aligned; causing movement of the longitudinal rod within the injection channel and at least partially into the loading channel to move the radioactive seed towards the distal end out of the injection channel into the loading channel and then into the carrier; and causing movement of the longitudinal rod out of the loading channel leaving the radioactive seed embedded in the carrier.
The independent claims consistently require a collagen-containing carrier and a seed-injection device whose injection channel is aligned with a loader loading channel using engagement/alignment interfaces, followed by plunger-driven movement that transfers the radioactive seed into the collagen carrier and leaves the seed embedded.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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