Brachytherapy apparatus and methods of using same

A method of delivering a plurality of brachytherapy devices to a target tissue region within a breast, the method comprising:

• immobilizing the breast;
• locating a needle guide proximate the breast, the needle guide defining an array of guide openings corresponding to the target tissue region;
• advancing a plurality of needles simultaneously through the needle guide and the target tissue region, wherein each needle of the plurality of needles includes one of the plurality of brachytherapy devices coupled thereto;
• and
• withdrawing the plurality of needles simultaneously while leaving the plurality of brachytherapy devices implanted in the target tissue region of the breast.

A method of delivering a plurality of brachytherapy devices to a target tissue region within a breast, the method comprising:

• immobilizing the breast between first and second compression paddles;
• locating a needle guide proximate the first compression paddle, the needle guide defining an array of guide openings corresponding to the target tissue region;
• advancing a plurality of needles simultaneously through the needle guide, the first compression paddle, the breast, and the second compression paddle, wherein each needle includes one of the plurality of brachytherapy devices coupled thereto;
• and
• withdrawing the plurality of needles while leaving the plurality of brachytherapy devices implanted in the target tissue region of the breast.