Radiotherapy applicator system

A radiotherapy applicator system kit for a radiotherapy treatment, comprising:

• a flexible applicator pad configured to be placed on or over and conform to contours of a target area of a patient for the radiotherapy treatment, the flexible applicator pad having a body with opposing ends and a plurality of elongate channels within the flexible applicator pad, each elongate channel each extending between the opposing ends of the body;
• a plurality of elongate catheter sleeves each configured to be selectively mounted within a corresponding elongate channel within the flexible applicator pad, each elongate catheter sleeve configured to have an endcap at one end;
• a plurality of elongate seed lines, each elongate seed line configured to be selectively mounted within a corresponding elongate catheter sleeve mounted within a corresponding elongate channel within the flexible applicator pad, each elongate seed line having mounted thereon a set of at least one radioactive seed and at least one spacer, each elongate seed line having a length greater than a length of the corresponding elongate catheter sleeve in order to have a portion of the elongate seed line extending out of the corresponding elongate catheter sleeve when assembled for selective removal or insertion of the elongate seed line from the corresponding elongate catheter sleeve;
• and
• a shielding configured to cover the flexible applicator pad during use to minimize radiation exposure to a user administering the radiotherapy treatment or to the patient receiving the radiotherapy treatment,
• wherein each elongate seed line having the at least one radioactive seed and the at least one spacer is adapted to provide radiation that covers a specific portion of the target area, and
• wherein the plurality of elongate seed lines, when each of the plurality of elongate seed lines is mounted within a corresponding elongate catheter sleeve mounted within a corresponding elongate channel within the flexible applicator pad, provides an arrangement of elongate seed lines defining an array of hot spots forming a predetermined, geometric treatment pattern, when assembled, for irradiating the target area on the patient in accordance with a predetermined radiation treatment plan for the patient.

A method for radiotherapy treatment, comprising the steps of:

• determining a radiation treatment plan for a target area of a patient, the target area being unique in shape and form to the patient, the treatment plan including one or more predetermined sessions for the radiotherapy treatment;
• providing a radiotherapy applicator system, comprising:
• a flexible applicator pad configured to be placed on or over and conform to contours of the target area of the patient, the flexible applicator pad having a body with opposing ends and a plurality of elongate channels within the flexible applicator pad, each elongate channel extending between the opposing ends of the body;
• a plurality of elongate catheter sleeves each configured to be selectively mounted within a corresponding elongate channel within the flexible applicator pad, each elongate catheter sleeve configured to have an endcap at one end;
• a plurality of elongate seed lines, each elongate seed line configured to be selectively mounted within a corresponding elongate catheter sleeve mounted within a corresponding elongate channel within the flexible applicator pad, each elongate seed line having a set of at least one radioactive seed and at least one spacer mounted thereon, each elongate seed line having a portion extending out of the corresponding elongate catheter sleeve when assembled to facilitate selective removal or insertion of the elongate seed line from the corresponding elongate catheter sleeve;
• and
• a shielding configured to cover the flexible applicator pad during use to minimize radiation exposure to a user administering the radiotherapy treatment and to the patient receiving the radiotherapy treatment,
• wherein each elongate seed line having the set of at least one radioactive seed and at least one spacer mounted thereon is adapted to provide radiation that covers a specific portion of the target area, and
• wherein the plurality of elongate seed lines, when each of the plurality of elongate seed lines is mounted within a corresponding elongate catheter sleeve mounted within a corresponding elongate channel within the flexible applicator pad, provides an arrangement of elongate seed lines defining an array of hot spots forming a predetermined, geometric treatment pattern for irradiating the target area of the patient in accordance with the radiation treatment plan for the patient;
• placing the flexible applicator pad with the plurality of elongate catheter sleeves and the plurality of elongate seed lines respectively mounted therein on or over the target area;
• covering the flexible applicator pad with the shielding to protect the user and areas of the patient other than the target area from radiation exposure;
• treating the target area for a given period of time with radiation from the plurality of radioactive seeds respectively mounted on the plurality of elongate seed lines as required by the treatment plan;
• removing the radiotherapy applicator system from the target area at the end of a said session for the radiotherapy treatment;
• and
• selectively repeating the placing, covering, treating, and removing steps for multiple sessions, when the radiation treatment plan provides for a plurality of sessions for the radiotherapy treatment.