Xoft, Inc.

Michael Klein

Paul A Lovoi

James E Jervis

Darius Francescatti

Peter Clark Smith

Heike Hausen

David J Hoffmann

Scott Tremberth

David J Hoffman

Methods and applicator apparatus are disclosed for brachytherapy treatment of tissue surrounding a cavity in a patient, particularly a resection cavity. In treatment regimes requiring recovery time between successive radiation treatments, applicators of the invention are retained under the skin, with the skin allowed to at least partially heal, and are re-accessed later for one or more subsequent treatments. To reduce patient discomfort an anesthetic agent can be infused through the applicator to patient tissue, for insertion, balloon inflation or removal of the applicator.

Balloon brachytherapy applicator and method

Brachytherapy applicators incorporate various forms of selective shielding devices for controlling the direction and intensity of radiation directed at a patient's tissue. In some forms the applicators include a retractable sheath, in some a series of retractable fingers. In other forms the applicator, having an inflatable balloon, has a shield which is retractable from a position adjacent to the balloon or retracted from the balloon, or a shield can itself be inflatable, separately or together with the balloon.

Radiation therapy apparatus with selective shielding capability

A radiation therapy system and method, especially for brachytherapy, monitors and verifies dose delivered at a plurality of points at or near the region to be irradiated, integrating verification with radiation delivery. In one procedure, mapping is used to determine the shape and location of the region to be irradiated. A treatment plan is developed using the mapping information and a dose prescription. As radiation is delivered to the target region internally, preferably using an electronic radiation source, the dose received at plural points is monitored and continually fed to a central processor. As needed based on feedback, the system modifies the treatment plan and delivery of radiation accordingly, to arrive substantially at the prescribed dose at all locations in the region. In a modified procedure the treatment is done according to a prescription dose but without a treatment plan by multiple iterations of source pullback and feedback and analysis of dose received in the tissue. Source radiation levels and/or pattern and dwell are modified for each successive iteration and preferably for different dwell points in an iteration.

Real time verification in radiation treatment

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Michael Klein