Brachytherapy apparatus and method for use with minimally invasive surgeries of the lung

An applicator adapted for brachytherapy treatment in a human lung, comprising:

• a shaft with an inflatable balloon secured to its distal end, the shaft defining an internal channel adapted to receive a catheter carrying a source of ionizing radiation near the distal end of the catheter;
• the shaft including, at a proximal end thereof, a hub through which the catheter can be inserted, and the hub including provision for inflating the balloon through the shaft;
• a suction port positioned to communicate via a suction circuit with the pleural cavity of the patient to drain or evacuate fluid;
• and
• the suction circuit including a slidable sleeve having a distal end thereof forming the suction port, adjustable as to axial position about and along the shaft, with the suction port positionable at a body cavity, and an evacuation port positioned on the sleeve to be exterior of the body cavity.

A method for brachytherapy treatment in a human lung, comprising:

• extending an applicator through the skin into the lung tissue and into a resection cavity, said applicator having an inflatable balloon at its distal end, the balloon being deflated upon insertion,
• the applicator having a shaft supporting the balloon, and defining an internal channel adapted to receive a catheter carrying a source of ionizing radiation near the distal end of the catheter, and the shaft including at a proximal end a hub through which the catheter can be inserted, and the hub including provision for inflating the balloon through the shaft,
• inflating the balloon within the resection cavity,
• irradiating tissue within the lung and adjacent to the resection cavity by means of the source carried by the catheter within the inflated balloon;
• providing a suction sleeve about the shaft including positioning the suction sleeve so that a distal end thereof is in communication with a pleural cavity of the patient to drain or evacuate fluid;
• and
• at least partially withdrawing the applicator after being inserted.