Expandable brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using them

A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue within a body, comprising:

• creating a tract through tissue to a target location adjacent to a cavity;
• advancing an elongate body carrying a plurality of elongate members through the tract into the target location with the elongate members in a collapsed configuration;
• directing the elongate members to an expanded configuration at the target location to position the elongate members away from a central axis;
• and
• delivering radiation to the target location to treat tissue at the target location.

A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue, comprising:

• creating a tract through tissue to a target location adjacent to a cavity;
• introducing a distal end of a prep catheter through the tract into the cavity;
• expanding an expandable member on the distal end of the prep catheter within the cavity;
• removing the prep catheter;
• advancing an elongate body carrying a plurality of elongate members through the tract into the target location with the elongate members in a collapsed configuration;
• directing the elongate members to an expanded configuration at the target location to position the elongate members away from a central axis;
• and
• delivering radiation to the target location to treat tissue at the target location.

A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising:

• an elongate body comprising a proximal end and a distal end configured for introduction into a tract through tissue;
• a plurality of elongate members on the distal end comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the elongate members being movable from a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration;
• and
• a plurality of inserts comprising proximal ends and distal ends removably receivable along the pathways of respective elongate members.

A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising:

• an elongate core member comprising a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a tract through tissue, and the core member defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends;
• a guide member on the core member disposed between the proximal and distal ends;
• a distal hub coupled to the distal end of the core member;
• a proximal hub on the proximal end of the core member, at least one of the proximal hub and the distal hub movable axially relative to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub;
• and
• a plurality of elongate members coupled to the proximal and distal hubs and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the core member, the elongate members comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong, the elongate members movable between a collapsed configuration wherein intermediate regions of the elongate members are received in respective recesses in the guide member for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration when one of the proximal and distal hubs is directed towards the other of the proximal and distal hubs, the intermediate regions moving radially out of the respective grooves as the elongate members are directed towards the expanded configuration.

A method for brachytherapy treatment of tissue within a body, comprising:

• creating a tract through tissue to a target location adjacent to a cavity;
• advancing a distal portion of an elongate body through the tract into the target location with the distal portion in a collapsed configuration, the distal portion comprising a plurality of elongate members disposed around an elongate core member with intermediate regions of the elongate members being received in respective recesses in a guide member on the core member in the collapsed configuration;
• directing the distal portion to an expanded configuration at the target location wherein the elongate members expand away from a central axis and the intermediate regions exit the respective recesses;
• and
• delivering radiation to the target location via the distal portion to treat tissue at the target location.