Other

Cook Incorporated

Med Institute Incorporated

Marc G Apple

Neal E Fearnot

Brian L Bates

John A DeFord

Melvin J Apple

Joseph P Lane

William D Voorhees, Iii

James D Purdy

Gregory A Frankland

John I Williams

Delbert C Miller

The present invention provides a system and method of applying low dose, localized radiotherapy which is effective to reduce or eliminate the formation of post-operative scar tissue at surgical sites, such as an epidural site after spinal surgery. In an exemplary embodiment, a device is implantable before closing a surgical site as a barrier, the device being designed to deliver a desired therapeutic amount of energy to particular tissue. The device can be a barrier layer, seed containment unit, radiospike, or catheter. The energy may be provided by the material of the device itself, or may be provided by an external source, such as by circulating radioactive fluid through the device itself. Various embodiments include additional components of the device which deliver drug or chemical agents to targeted tissue and/or shield components to prevent dosage to non-targeted tissue.

Brachytherapy device and method

A catheter assembly for use in radiation therapy of a patient by insertion into a vessel, passageway or cavity to deliver radioactive material to a treatment site within the patient. The distal end of the catheter assembly () includes a noncompliant inner balloon () therearound that is inflatable with a non-radioactive fluid (such as COor saline or contrast medium), and an outer balloon () therearound that is inflated with radioactive fluid (such as radiogas like xenon-133 ) and is noncompliant to conform the vessel wall to the balloon's shape at the treatment site for optimal distribution of dose. The inner balloon allows reduction in volume of the amount of radioactive fluid necessary to achieve a desired dose. The inner and outer balloons () may be affixed to inner and outer catheters (), respectively. Further, a booster radioactive source, preferably removable from the catheter, may also be used to supplement the dose from the outer balloon, such as a radioactive line source (a wire or a seed train ()) within the central catheter lumen () at the distal end, or a plurality of seeds () within flexible cylinders () spaced circumferentially around the inner balloon () but within the outer balloon (), or a sleeve () around the inner balloon () that may be impregnated with iodine-125. A method of providing radiation therapy is disclosed.

Catheter with concentric balloons for radiogas delivery and booster radiosources for use therewith

The directional-ionizing energy emitting implant is for attachment either to natural tissue or a prosthetic device, and delivers a prescribed dosage of energy to targeted tissue. The insert device includes an energy-source material within the insert device that delivers the prescribed dosage of energy to the targeted tissue, while minimizing exposure of nontargeted tissue. The targeted tissue has a known energy-response profile and is adjacent to the targeted tissue. The energy-source material in combination with the prosthetic device defines an actual energy-delivery distribution field. The energy-delivery distribution field has a configuration similar to the known energy-responsive profile of the targeted tissue. The prescribed dosage of energy is applied from energy-source material within the insert device and directed to the targeted tissue. The prescribed energy dosage is determined by using known characteristics of the energy-source material, and by the placement of the energy-source material relative to the targeted tissue. The implant system reduces any occurrence of heterotopic ossification caused by the implant, inhibits growth or migration of benign or malignant living cells, and minimizes or even eliminates infectious processes or delayed keloid or scar formation induced from surgical placement of a functional prosthesis or fixation device, in tissue within or about the device due to its targeted therapeutic energy emission effects.

Directional-ionizing energy emitting implant

A catheter apparatus and radiation dosimetry unit indicator for delivery of a prescribed radiation dose to a patient. A radiotherapy source vial ( ) includes a fluid container ( ) of radioactive fluid with a seal ( ) disposed about the container. Seal ( ) is moveable with respect to container ( ) to change the contained volume therein. A radioactive fluid transport site ( ) is in communication with the contained volume and with an exterior ( ) of the container ( ), and may include a septum ( ) or a valve ( ). An engagement mechanism ( ) is connectable to an external control mechanism ( ) whereby the contained volume in the radioactive fluid container can be decreased and increased by actuation of the external control mechanism.

Medical, radiotherapy source vial

A catheter apparatus (,) and radiation dosimetry unit indicator (,) for delivery of a prescribed radiation dose to a patient. The catheter is filled with a radiation carrier material such as an inert radioactive gas (,) for the treatment of, for example, restenosis after angioplasty, and malignancies. The inflated catheter includes a plurality of discrete chambers such as balloon sections (,) for transporting the radioactive carrier material, and a plurality of discrete chambers (,) enabling substantial blood flow through the artery during treatment with the prescribed radiation. The inflated catheter can also comprise a one-unit balloon. A specific metal coating enhances the radiation dose delivered to the target. The wall (,) of the inflation lumen attenuates transmission dose to the blood circulating through the hollow inner lumen of the catheter device. The system also creates increased by-product radiation, from the impact of beta particles and gamma protons traveling toward the lumen wall. A radiation dosimetry unit indicator (,) is positioned, disposed, or affixed to a calibrated catheter to assist the physician in prescribing radiation activity and exposure times.

Medical radiation treatment delivery apparatus

A catheter apparatus and radiation dosimetry unit indicator for delivery of a prescribed radiation dose to a patient. The catheter is filled with a radiation carrier material such as an inert radioactive gas for the treatment of, for example, restenosis after angioplasty, and malignancies. The inflated catheter includes a plurality of discrete chambers for transporting the radioactive carrier material, and a plurality of discrete chambers enabling substantial blood flow through the artery during treatment with the prescribed radiation. The inflated catheter can also comprise a one-unit balloon. A specific metal coating enhances the radiation dose delivered to the target. The wall of the inflation lumen attenuates transmission dose to the blood circulating through the hollow inner lumen of the catheter device. The system also creates increased by-product radiation, from the impact of beta particles and gamma protons traveling toward the lumen wall. A radiation dosimetry unit indicator is positioned, disposed, or affixed to a calibrated catheter to assist the physician in prescribing radiation activity and exposure times.

Medical radiation treatment device

A catheter apparatus (20) and radiation dosimetry unit indicator (21) for delivery of a prescribed radiation dose to a patient. The catheter is filled with a radiation carrier material such as an inert radioactive gas (12) for the treatment of, for example, restenosis after angioplasty, and malignancies. The inflated catheter includes a plurality of discrete chambers such as balloon sections (22, 24, 26) for transporting the radioactive carrier material, and a plurality of discrete chambers (32, 34, 36) enabling substantial blood flow through the artery during treatment with the prescribed radiation. The inflated catheter can also comprise a one-unit balloon. A specific metal coating enhances the radiation dose delivered to the target. The wall (25) of the inflation lumen attenuates transmission dose to the blood circulating through the hollow inner lumen of the catheter device. The system also creates increased by-product radiation, from the impact of beta particles and gamma protons traveling toward the lumen wall. A radiation dosimetry unit indicator (21) is positioned, disposed, or affixed to a calibrated catheter to assist the physician in prescribing radiation activity and exposure times.

An implant system and a method for delivering a dosage of radiation to targeted tissue. The system comprises a prosthetic device that functionally replaces or is additive to a body structure or joint, and a radio source material. The radio source material is positioned either on or within the prosthetic device. The actual radiation delivery distribution field has a similar configuration to the profile of the targeted tissue. The implant system is particularly useful for inhibiting heterotopic ossification.

Radio prosthesis

A catheter apparatus filled with a radiation carrier material such as an inert radioactive gas for the treatment of restenosis after angioplasty, and malignancies. The inflated catheter includes a plurality of discrete chambers for transporting the radioactive carrier material, and a plurality of discrete chambers enabling substantial blood flow through the artery during treatment with the prescribed radiation. The inflated catheter may also comprise one unit balloon. A specific metal coating enhances the radiation dose delivered to the target. The wall of the lumen attenuates transmission dose to the blood circulating through the hollow inner lumen of the catheter device. The system also creates increased by-product radiation, from the impact of beta particles and gamma protons traveling toward the lumen wall. In addition, two opposing balloons may be utilized that are inflatable in sequence enabling gas-tight redirection of radioactive gas flow from one balloon to the other, where one balloon is inflated to deliver a treatment dose, while the opposing balloon is deflated.

Catheter system

A system, apparatus, and method for administering radiation internal to a patient involving a catheter, having disposed therewithin a radiation carrier material such as an inert radioactive gas, like xenon, for the treatment of restenosis after angioplasty, and malignancies. When the catheter apparatus is inflated, it may include a plurality of discrete chambers for transporting the radioactive carrier material, and a plurality of discrete chambers enabling substantial blood flow through the artery during treatment with the prescribed radiation.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Marc G Apple