Apparatus for loading dosimetrically customizable brachytherapy carriers
Inventors
Nakaji, Peter • Brachman, David • McBride, Heyoung • Youssef, Emad • Thomas, Theresa
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9409038-B2
Publication Date
2016-08-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for loading and customizing brachytherapy carriers based on the principles of optimizing a more precise and predictable dosimetry, and adaptable to the geometric challenges of a tumor bed in a real-time setting. The present invention relates to a specialized loading device designed to enable a medical team to create a radionuclide carrier for each patient and tumor reliably, reproducibly and efficiently.
Core Innovation
A treatment system uses a radionuclide tile carrier having a first longitudinally planar surface, an opposing second longitudinally planar surface parallel to the first planar surface, and a uniform thickness therebetween. The system also includes a cylindrical radionuclide seed, a guide tool, and a loading device with a first planar surface facing and parallel to a second planar surface.
A third planar surface defines a loading bed perpendicular to the first and the second planar surfaces, with the loading bed between first and second portions of those planar surfaces. The loading device further includes a guide channel having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the loading bed and sized and configured to receive a first end of the guide tool.
The guide channel directs the first end of the guide tool parallel to the third planar surface into the radionuclide tile carrier positioned on the loading bed. In this manner, the guide tool moves the cylindrical radionuclide seed into the radionuclide tile carrier while the carrier is positioned on the loading bed. A related treatment system similarly uses a radionuclide tile or gore carrier having opposing longitudinally planar surfaces parallel to one another and a uniform thickness therebetween.
Claims Coverage
This set includes three independent claims covering a treatment system and a method, with a shared hardware concept of planar carrier surfaces, a perpendicular loading bed, and a guide channel aligned to direct a guide tool for moving a cylindrical radionuclide seed into a positioned tile or tile/gore carrier. Across the independent claims, there are 4 principal inventive features.
Planar radionuclide tile or tile/gore carrier with uniform thickness
A radionuclide tile carrier, or radionuclide tile or gore carrier, having a first longitudinally planar surface, an opposing second longitudinally planar surface parallel to the first planar surface, and a uniform thickness therebetween.
Loading device with perpendicular loading bed between parallel planar surfaces
A loading device having a first planar surface facing and parallel to a second planar surface, and a third planar surface defining a loading bed perpendicular to the first and the second planar surfaces, the loading bed between a first portion of the first planar surface of the loading device and a second portion of the second planar surface of the loading device.
Aligned guide channel for directing the guide tool parallel to the planar surfaces
A guide channel having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the loading bed, the guide channel sized and configured to receive a first end of the guide tool and direct the first end of the guide tool parallel to the third planar surface of the loading device into the radionuclide tile carrier positioned on the loading bed.
Seed movement into the positioned carrier by inserting a tool end through the guide channel
The guide channel directs the first end of the guide tool into the radionuclide tile carrier, moving the cylindrical radionuclide seed into the radionuclide tile carrier.
The independent claims consistently recite planar-surface radionuclide carriers, a loading device with a loading bed perpendicular to parallel planar surfaces, and a guide channel aligned to direct a guide tool parallel to the planar surfaces so that insertion of the tool moves a cylindrical radionuclide seed into the positioned carrier.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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