Abstract:
Brachytherapy radioisotope carrier systems and methodology for providing real-time customized brachytherapy treatment to subjects with tumors difficult to control using conventional radiation therapy techniques. The invention generally relates to devices, methods and kits for providing customized radionuclide treatments, to help cure, slow progression or regrowth, or ameliorate the symptoms associated with tumors.
Abstract:
A spacer for use in brachytherapy, and radiotherapy, is formed of an encapsulating material in a generally cylindrical or elongated shape. Regions are formed within the spacer and retaining therapeutic loads, such as radiation sources and/or pharmaceutical therapeutic loads, and/or other substances to treat a patient, such as drug liquids, powder or particles (e.g., microparticles or nanoparticles), with the particles or powders combined with binders, such as polyacrylamide, that are selected to gradually disperse the powder or particles at a desired rate. Such regions can be formed at various locations within the spacer, and can have various shapes depending on the particular design and intended usage. The outer surface of the encapsulating material can optionally include one or more fins, ribs or other physical protuberances or features that improve the fixity of the spacer when implanted within a patient's body.
Abstract:
Brachytherapy radioisotope carrier systems and methodology for providing real-time customized brachytherapy treatment to subjects with tumors difficult to control using conventional radiation therapy techniques. The invention generally relates to devices, methods and kits for providing customized radionuclide treatments, to help cure, slow progression or regrowth, or ameliorate the symptoms associated with tumors.
Abstract:
A therapeutic strand implant, for use in brachytherapy and deliverable to an implant site by way of a needle, includes a plurality of radioactive sources, and a polymeric material molded to encapsulate the radioactive sources. A space is defined by the polymeric material between each adjacent pair of the radioactive sources. A plurality of protrusions is defined by an outer surface of the encapsulating polymeric material.
Abstract:
Spacers for use in brachytherapy, radiotherapy, and other medical therapy, which can be used to improve a patient's outcome, assist in treating difficult cases and/or combine multiple modalities that are currently performed separately into a single procedure. In accordance with an embodiment, a spacer is formed of an encapsulating material in a generally cylindrical or elongated shape. One or more regions are formed within the spacer for receiving and retaining therapeutic loads, such as radiation sources and/or pharmaceutical therapeutic loads, and/or any other substances that a physician might select to treat a patient, such as drug liquids, powder or particles (e.g., microparticles or nanoparticles), with the particles or powders combined with binders, such as polyacrylamide, that are selected to retain and gradually disperse the powder or particles at a desired rate. Such regions can be formed at various locations within the spacer, and can have various shapes depending on the particular design and intended usage, including, for example, bores, end cavities, wells, ports, slots and/or pockets. The outer surface of the encapsulating material can optionally include one or more fins, ribs or other physical protuberances or features that improve the fixity of the spacer when implanted within a patient's body. When implanted into the body, the spacer helps provide proper placement and spacing such as symmetrical and/or asymmetrical placement and spacing of the radiation sources and/or pharmaceutical therapeutic loads.
Abstract:
A radioactive member for use in brachytherapy comprising a hollow elongate bioabsorbable suture member with radioactive seeds and spacer members without different coloration and diameter from the radioactive seeds alternately disposed therein, and methods for the manufacture and the use thereof. The radioactive members may be used in the treatment of, for example, prostate cancer.
Abstract:
A radiopaque brachytherapy seed for implantation into a subject includes a biocompatible component, a therapeutically active component including a non-radioactive drug, and a radiopaque marker. The biocompatible component is (a) physically associated with a therapeutically active component and (b) in contact with the radiopaque marker. The brachytherapy seed has a size and shape suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge).
Abstract:
System, including apparatus and methods, for positioning medical material in living tissue using hollow elements that are formed unitarily from a synthetic bioabsorbable material. The hollow elements are optionally filled with a core material and a heat shrink process is performed so that the hollow elements are tightened around the core material.
Abstract:
Apparatus, systems and methods for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region of a human or other mammalian body. In some embodiments, a flexible brachytherapy device is implanted that includes a therapy delivery portion having one or more radioactive sources securely retained thereto, and a tail portion extending from the therapy delivery portion. Once implanted, the tail portion may extend outside the body, where it may be folded and secured flat against the skin. The device may be removed at therapy completion. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for delivering brachytherapy devices to the body.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, an implantable marker, which is adapted to be implanted into patient tissue using a hollow needle, includes a marker body including a radiopaque material and a polymeric material that encapsulates at least a portion of the marker body. In an embodiment, an outer surface of the encapsulating material includes one or more protrusions to reduce a tendency of the marker to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation.