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Libbe Van Zwol

Eric Van't Hooft

A first radioactive source assembly disposed in a first source channel and a guide tube connected to the source channel and having a second end which is disposable in the animal body. A first source assembly transport thread connects the first source assembly to a first source assembly drive for driving the first source assembly to the second end of the guide tube. At least one further radioactive source assembly is disposed in a further source channel, a connector tube connects the further source channel and a connector disposed in the guide tube. A juncture is formed at the connector. A further source assembly transport thread is attached to the further source assembly and to a further source assembly drive for driving the further source assembly towards said second end of the said guide tube. The first source assembly and the further source assembly are alternatingly drivable toward the second end of the guide tube. A detector detects the presence of either source assembly in the juncture whereby radiation therapy may be accurately effected by either the first source assembly or the further source assembly.

Method and apparatus for effecting radioactive therapy in an animal body

The adaptor for connecting a guide member in a remote after-loading apparatus for radiotherapy is provided. The adaptor comprises an outer barrel having an opened end, a connector end and a centrally extending aperture. A sleeve passes through the aperture of the barrel such that at least a first end of the sleeve is contained within the barrel. An elongated gripping means is disposed through the sleeve and extends beyond the ends of the sleeve. The gripping means has a gripping end and a receiving end, a gripping body extending between the ends, and a flange disposed on the gripping end with the diameter of the flange being greater than the diameter of the sleeve. A tapered outer surface extends from the flange to a distant portion of the gripping body. A uniform diameter tube bore is disposed through the gripping means and at least two slots pass through the flange and at least a portion of the gripping body. Those slots form at least two opposed gripping portions which are inwardly compressible when the flange and the gripping portions are in contact with the first end of the sleeve, so as to form a reduced diameter of the tube bore and thereby a closed position of the gripping portions. The gripping portions are sufficiently resilient so that when the flange and the gripping portions are disposed from the first end of the sleeve, the gripping portions form at least the same diameter as the tube bore and thereby an open position. Spring means are disposed between the gripping means in the sleeve for urging the flange of the gripping means toward the second end of the sleeve.

Adaptor for remote after-loading apparatus for radiotherapy

There is provided an apparatus for effecting radioactive therapy in an animal body. A radioactive source assembly is disposed in a source channel, and a test assembly is disposed in a test channel. A source connecting tube is attached to the source channel and to a connector, and a test connecting tube is attached to the test channel and to the connector. A guide transfer tube is connected to the connector and an other end thereof is disposable at the site in an animal body intended for therapy. A source assembly transport thread is connected to the source assembly and a test assembly transport thread is connected to the test assembly. A source drive means is connected to an other end of the source transport thread and a test drive means is connected to an other end of the test transport thread. The source drive means and the test drive means are operable such that alternatingly the source assembly and the test assembly may be moved from the respective channels and through the guide transfer tube to the site of intended therapy. With this arrangement, the movement of the test assembly to the site of intended therapy is comparable with the movement of the source assembly to the site of intended therapy, whereby the correct positioning of the source assembly at the site of intended therapy is confirmable.

Method of treating a part of the body with radioactive material and a

A drivable radioactive source capsule is provided which comprises a tubular body containing therein a plurality of radioactive sources. The said tubular body has a first end and a second end which is a terminus of the tubular body. A plug has an elongated closure portion with the diameter of the closure portion being substantially equal to the inside diameter of said tubular body. The closure portion is disposed within the tubular body through the second end thereof and is attached to the second end of the tubular body. The plug has a connection portion adjacent the closure portion with the diameter of the connecting portion being substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tubular body. An elongated flexible drive cable is connected to the connection portion of the plug. By this arrangement, radioactive sources may be placed in the tubular body and the body is closed by disposing the closure portion of the plug into the second end of the tubular body and attaching the closure portion to the second end of the tubular body.

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Leersum, Netherlands

Libbe Van Zwol