# US 2017/0281969 A1 · Catheter apparatus, brachytherapy system and method using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281969 A1 - Document ID: US20170281969A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/624,734 - Filed: 2017-06-16 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-19 - Assignees: Braxx Biotech Co., Ltd - Inventors: Kai-Lin Yang; Hsuan-Mien Wang; Wei-Jer Chang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281969A1 ## CPC - A61N 5/1007: {Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body} - A61M 25/10: Balloon catheters ({A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02;} inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 {; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00}) - A61M 25/10185: {Valves} - A61N 5/1014: {Intracavitary radiation therapy} - A61M 2205/051: with radiation therapy - A61N 5/1016: {Gynaecological radiation therapy} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present application relates to a catheter apparatus including a tubular member, and four or more fluid-flow pipe members, each having a proximal end and a distal end, and each being disposed around a periphery of the tubular member along an axial direction thereof. Each of the four or more fluid-flow pipe members is provided with an independent positioning member at the distal end thereof, and the number of positioning members is four or more. A brachytherapy system and a method of reducing area of radiation exposure of normal tissue in a brachytherapy treatment using the catheter apparatus are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter apparatus, comprising: a tubular member; and four or more fluid-flow pipe members, each having a proximal end and a distal end, and each being disposed around a periphery of the tubular member along an axial direction thereof; wherein each of the four or more fluid-flow pipe members is provided with an independent positioning member at the distal end thereof; and wherein four or more positioning members are provided. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the four or more fluid-flow pipe members is further provided with an independent control element at the proximal end thereof, and the control element couples with the positioning member through the fluid-flow pipe member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the four or more fluid-flow pipe members is further provided with a valve device at the distal end thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The catheter apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least four of the fluid-flow pipe members have different lengths, such that the positioning members coupling with their respective fluid-flow pipe members are arranged one behind another along the axial direction of the tubular member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The catheter apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an outer tube member is provided outside the tubular member and the fluid-flow pipe members, the outer tube member being integrally formed and having an internal space to accommodate the tubular member and the fluid-flow pipe members, and wherein the tubular member is situated in a center of the outer tube member and the positioning members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The catheter apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the outer tube member comprises an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface; wherein the fluid-flow pipe members pierce through the outer tube member from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface to couple with their respective independent positioning members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The catheter apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the outer tube member forms a sealed blind end at the distal ends. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The catheter apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control elements adjust a size of their respective coupled positioning members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The catheter apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of the positioning members is a cylindrical member surrounding the tubular member, and wherein the positioning members are equidistantly spaced apart. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each positioning member is an inflatable and deflatable member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) A brachytherapy system, comprising: a brachytherapy instrument; a catheter apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, connected to the brachytherapy instrument; and a radioactive source released from the brachytherapy instrument and stayed in the tubular member of the catheter apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The brachytherapy system according to claim 11, wherein the radioactive source is capable of being moved inside the tubular member and staying in a middle of one of the positioning members or between two of the positioning members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A method of reducing area of radiation exposure of normal tissue in a brachytherapy treatment, comprising: applying a brachytherapy system, as claimed in claim 11; using the independent control elements to inflate the four or more positioning members to different extents of inflation so as to make the catheter apparatus conformable to a body cavity; and releasing the radioactive source from the brachytherapy instrument into the tubular member of the catheter apparatus.