Application of radiation using imaging guidance
AssigneeUniversity of Virginia Patent Foundation
InventorsDavid R. Brenin, Timothy Norman Showalter, John A. Hossack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus or techniques can include an applicator that can include an expandable element and an ultrasonic transducer. The applicator can be inserted into a cavity of a tissue region of a patient and images of the cavity and the applicator can be generated based on signals obtained from the ultrasonic transducer. Dosing of radiation can be determined based on the images and a dose of radiation can be delivered to the tissue region by a radiation source located in the applicator.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first elongate member defining a first lumen having an opening at a proximal end of the elongate member;
- an expandable element located at a distal end of the first elongate member;
- and
- an ultrasonic transducer located within the first lumen and positionable along the first elongate member.
An apparatus for delivering high dose rate brachytherapy to a tissue region, the apparatus comprising:
- a first elongate member defining a first lumen having an opening at a proximal end of the elongate member and a radiation delivery source device disposed within the first lumen;
- an expandable element located at a distal end of the first elongate member;
- a second elongate member that includes an ultrasonic transducer disposed at a distal end of the second elongate member;
- and
- a stepper device coupled to the second elongate member, the stepper device being configured to move the ultrasonic transducer in increments along an axis defined longitudinally along the first lumen and is located within the first elongate member;
- and
- wherein the ultrasonic transducer generates acoustic energy and receives a signal indicative of scattering or reflection of the acoustic energy.
A method comprising:
- inflating an expandable element located at a distal end of a brachytherapy applicator using a fluid coupled through a channel defined by the brachytherapy applicator;
- generating acoustic energy using an ultrasonic transducer located within a first lumen defined by the brachytherapy applicator;
- receiving a signal indicative of scattering or reflection of the acoustic energy;
- and
- generating an image using the received signal, the image indicative of a location of the expandable element within a tissue region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.