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Publication Number
US-9526463-B2
Publication Date
2016-12-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various configurations of shielding materials within shielding layers, such as for use in shielding radiation from implanted radioactive carriers, are discussed herein.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to radiation-therapy brachytherapy systems that use a shielding apparatus to improve a therapeutic index by controlling radiation emitted by radioactive seeds. The shielding apparatus includes a collagen substrate and a plurality of shielding materials embedded in the collagen substrate, each shielding material comprising a high-z material and being positioned to match positions of a corresponding plurality of radiation sources arranged according to a dosimetric plan.
When the apparatus is placed on the radiation sources, each shielding material provides substantial shielding of radiation emitted by a corresponding radiation source while providing reduced shielding of radiation from other radiation sources. At least some of the radiation sources are arranged with gaps between the radiation sources and adjacent radiation sources, and the gaps between respective shielding materials provide less distortion of magnetic energy than the shielding materials.
The document further describes isolation-sheet embodiments in which shielding materials with high-z shielding are embedded or arranged in collagen substrates and positioned to mirror a dosimetric plan of radiation-source locations. The embodiments include gaps realized using collagen spacing to reduce distortion of magnetic energy, with geometries and layer arrangements compatible with radiation-source placement while mitigating MRI artifacts, RF heating, and deflection/distortion.
Claims Coverage
The document’s independent claim is directed to a shielding apparatus for brachytherapy that coordinates high-z shielding positions with a dosimetric plan, while using gaps to reduce magnetic-energy distortion. The independent claim contains three core inventive features.
Collagen substrate with embedded high-z shielding matched to dosimetric-plan source positions
A shielding apparatus comprising a collagen substrate; a plurality of shielding materials embedded in the collagen substrate, each shielding material comprising a high-z material, wherein the shielding materials are positioned within the collagen substrate to match positions of a corresponding plurality of radiation sources arranged according to a dosimetric plan.
Substantial shielding for corresponding sources and reduced shielding for other sources
When the apparatus is placed on the plurality of radiation sources, each of the shielding materials provides substantial shielding of radiation emitted by a corresponding radiation source and reduced shielding of radiation from other of the plurality of radiation sources.
Gaps between shielding materials reduce distortion of magnetic energy
Gaps between respective shielding materials provide less distortion of magnetic energy than the shielding materials.
Overall, the claim coverage ties a collagen-based shielding apparatus to a dosimetric plan so that shielding materials selectively provide substantial shielding for corresponding radiation sources while reducing shielding for other sources, and uses gaps between shielding materials to provide less distortion of magnetic energy.
Stated Advantages
Improving therapeutic index for radiation-therapy brachytherapy by reducing radiation outside a target area while mitigating MRI artifacts, RF heating, and deflection/distortion.
Provides substantial shielding of radiation emitted by a corresponding radiation source while providing reduced shielding of radiation from other radiation sources.
Gaps between respective shielding materials provide less distortion of magnetic energy than the shielding materials.
Documented Applications
Radiation-therapy brachytherapy systems using radioactive seeds and an isolation-sheet/shielding apparatus to control radiation distribution and address MRI artifacts, RF heating, and magnetic-energy distortion.
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