Radioactive therapeutic device with fixation
AssigneeSPEC MED Intellectual Property, LLC
InventorsJohn J. Munro, III, Matthew R. Hollows
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and techniques for permanent application of radioactive sources in the field of brachytherapy are described. In an embodiment, an implantable device for radiation therapy of pathological tissues directed toward the administration of radiation to tissue adjacent a cavity wall or surgical excision. The device may include an insertable member, such as a substantially cylindrical member, having at least two ends, a central section positioned between the ends, and a fixation element to retain the implantable device implanted in tissue at a desired position. The device may further include a radioactive source at least partially positioned within the insertable member and that is disposed to deliver radiation to a desired area.
Claims21
-23. (canceled)
An implantable device for brachytherapy, comprising:
- an insertable member having a first end and a second end, a central section positioned between the ends, and a fixation element having at least one barbed protrusion that resists removal through an aperture created by deployment to retain the implantable device in an inserted position within tissue;
- and
- a radioactive source disposed within the insertable member, wherein the insertable member is made of a memory alloy, and wherein the fixation element includes a non-straight configuration into which the insertable member forms after insertion into the inserted position.
A method of manufacturing an implantable device for brachytherapy, comprising:
- forming an insertable member of the implantable device for insertion into an area of tissue;
- encapsulating a radioactive source in the implantable device;
- and
- incorporating a fixation element having at least one barbed protrusion that resists removal through an aperture created by deployment to retain the implantable device in an inserted position within tissue, wherein the insertable member is made of a memory alloy and wherein the fixation element includes a non-straight configuration into which the insertable member forms after insertion into the inserted position.
A method for performing brachytherapy, comprising:
- identifying an area of tissue for brachytherapy;
- inserting an implantable device into the area of the tissue, wherein the implantable device includes a radioactive source encapsulated within the implantable device and a fixation element having at least one barbed protrusion that resists removal through an aperture created by deployment to retain the implantable device in an inserted position within tissue;
- and
- fixedly disposing the implantable device using the fixation element to deliver radiation therapy to an area of the tissue, wherein the implantable device is made of a memory alloy and wherein the fixation element includes a non-straight configuration into which the implantable device forms after insertion into the inserted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.