Other

Omnitron International, Inc.

Michael H Hayman

Lee Roy Morgan

Samuel F Liprie

Anthony J Bradshaw

Richard T Thornton

Sam F Liprie

Arthur M Zatarain

David W Spako

A radiotherapy stent device has a flexible, collapsible mesh body that can be expanded in a blood vessel of a patient to deliver radiation to the tissue surrounding the site of stent implantation. One or more hollow sleeves are secured on the body. The sleeves are loaded with radioactive material immediately prior to positioning of the stent in the vascular structure. As a result, the shelf life of the stent is substantially increased, and dosage of the radiation can be more precisely controlled.

Radiotherapy stent

A device for installing a catheter in a patient's body for use in delivery of a radioactive source to and from the site of a tumor so that it may be shrunk. The device includes a catheter and apparatus for implanting the catheter through the tumor site so that the distal end of the catheter extends beyond the site, with the proximal end exposed externally of the body to permit entry and withdrawal of the radioactive source. A selectively deployable anchor at the distal end of the catheter is adapted to penetrate body tissue at the distal end beyond the tumor site when the anchor is deployed. Consequently, the distal end of the catheter will be securely anchored to maintain a substantially constant lineal depth from the proximal end of the catheter to the tumor site. The radioactive source can then be driven through the catheter to the tumor site to irradiate the tumor for a prescribed period, and then withdrawn. The patient remains ambulatory with the catheter in place between fractionated periodic treatments, and yet repetitive radiation treatment consistently at the precise desired location is assured.

Tissue engaging catheter for a radioactive source wire

Apparatus for in situ radiotherapy has a flexible catheter having a proximal end for receiving a radioisotope and a distal end for positioning the flexible catheter within a patient to be treated. An anchor, which is permanently connectable to tissues deep inside the patient, has a sealing collar connected to it which seals the distal end of the catheter. The catheter also includes a plug near the distal end which seals the distal end in addititon to the seal provided by the sealing collar. The anchor has a penetration point connected to it to assist a surgeon in implanting the catheter within a tumor. A threaded fastener on the anchor is screwed into the catheter. The flexible catheter can be released remotely from the anchor by unscrewing it. A suture eye is connected to the anchor. The suture eye may be sutured to healthy tissue within the patient when the apparatus is implanted to secure the anchor to the patient. When the radioisotope is not being received, the proximal end of the catheter is sealed by a cylindrical plug connected to a manipulation handle.

Apparatus for in situ radiotherapy

Remote controlled afterloader apparatus and method positions high activity radioactive sources through a catheter within a human body for treatment of cancerous tissue. The afterloader includes an operating console and a remotely located computer controlled wire driver. The wire driver includes active and dummy source wires and channels for the storage of such wires. Stepper motors precisely position the wires in response to computer control and data from wire position encoders. An emergency DC motor retraction system provides a high degree of safety against system malfunction. Timing arrangements are included for timing patient treatment duration and emergency wire retraction time. A turret is provided with safety locking and cross-checking systems to permit use of multiple catheters. Treatment profiles are conducted from the maximum treatment position whereby only tension or retraction forces are used to position the active wire.

Apparatus and method for the remote handling of highly radioactive

Remote controlled afterloader apparatus and method positions high activity radioactive sources through a catheter within a human body for treatment of cancerous tissue. The afterloader including an operating console and a remotely located wire driver. The wire driver includes active and dummy source wires and channels for the storage of such wires. Stepper motors precisely position the wires in response to computer control and data from wire position encoders. An emergency dc motor retraction system is provided for the active wire. A non-computerized cross-check interlock and emergency retraction system provides a high degree of safety against system malfunction. A turret is provided with safety locking and cross-checking systems to permit use of multiple catheters. The dummy wire is inserted into each catheter to verify catheter integrity prior to insertion of the active wire. Treatment profiles are conducted from the maximum extension position whereby only tension or retraction forces are used to position the active wire.

System for remote positioning of a radioactive source into a patient

Apparatus for in situ radiotherapy has a flexible catheter having a proximal end for receiving a radiosotope and a distal end for positioning the flexible catheter within a patient to be treated. An anchor, which is permanently connectable to tissues deep inside the patient, has a sealing collar connected to it which seals the distal end of the catheter. The anchor has a penetration point connected to it to assist a surgeon in implanting the catheter within a tumor. A threaded fastener is connected to the anchor and screwed into the catheter. The flexible catheter can be released remotely from the anchor by unscrewing it. A suture eye is connected to the anchor. The suture eye may be sutured to healthy tissue within the patient when the apparatus is implanted to secure the anchor to the patient.

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New Orleans, LA, United States of America

Michael H Hayman