US 5,030,194 AGranted

Method and apparatus for effecting radioactive therapy in an animal body

AssigneeEric Van't Hooft

InventorsEric Van't Hooft, Libbe Van Zwol

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Abstract

A first radioactive source assembly disposed in a first source channel and a guide tube connected to the source channel and having a second end which is disposable in the animal body. A first source assembly transport thread connects the first source assembly to a first source assembly drive for driving the first source assembly to the second end of the guide tube. At least one further radioactive source assembly is disposed in a further source channel, a connector tube connects the further source channel and a connector disposed in the guide tube. A juncture is formed at the connector. A further source assembly transport thread is attached to the further source assembly and to a further source assembly drive for driving the further source assembly towards said second end of the said guide tube. The first source assembly and the further source assembly are alternatingly drivable toward the second end of the guide tube. A detector detects the presence of either source assembly in the juncture whereby radiation therapy may be accurately effected by either the first source assembly or the further source assembly.

Claims27

Dependent claims

In an apparatus for effecting radiation therapy in an animal body wherein the apparatus has a first radioactive source assembly disposed in a first source channel, a guide tube connected at a first end to said source channel and a second end being disposable in the animal body for the intended therapy a first source assembly transport thread connected to the first source assembly and to a first source assembly drive means for driving the first source assembly from the first source channel and towards the said source end of the guide tube,

the improvement comprising at least one further radioactive source assembly disposed in a further source channel, a connector tube connected at a first end to said further source channel, a connector disposed in said guide tube and a second end of the connector tube connected to said connector, wherein a juncture is formed at said connector between said guide tube and said connector tube, a further source assembly transport thread attached at one end to said further source assembly, a further source assembly drive means at an other end of the further source assembly transport thread attached the further source assembly drive means for driving the further source assembly from the further source channel, through the connector tube and connector, and towards said second end of the said guide tube, wherein the first source assembly and the further source assembly are alternatingly drivable toward the second end of the guide tube, and a detector means for detecting the presence of the first source assembly or the further source assembly in the guide tube between the juncture formed at the connector and the second end of the guide tube, whereby radiation therapy may be effected in the animal body by either the first source assembly or the further source assembly.

A method for effecting radiation therapy in an animal body at a site of intended therapy, comprising:

(a) driving a further source assembly from a further source assembly channel through a connector tube, a connector and a guide tube to at least near a second end of the guide tube and at least near the site of intended therapy;
(b) positioning the further source assembly in the guide tube so that the position of the further source assembly is at the site of intended therapy;
(c) determining a measured excursion of the further source assembly from a detector means when the further source assembly is positioned at the site of intended therapy;
(d) withdrawing said further source assembly from said guide tube and into the further source assembly channel;
(e) driving a first source assembly from a first source assembly channel, through said connector and said guide tube until the excursion of the first source assembly from said detector means substantially equals the said measured excursion of the further source assembly, whereby the first source assembly is correctly positioned at the site of intended therapy;
(f) allowing the first source assembly to remain at the site of intended therapy for a predetermined time to effect radiation therapy;
and
(g) withdrawing the first source assembly into the said first source assembly channel.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/436,877Filed 15 Nov 1989 · continuation in part
Priority: NL 860180810 Jul 1986
Granted: 9 Jul 1991
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F16C 1/18
Arrangements for transmitting movement to or from the flexible member: in which the end portion of the flexible member is laid along a curved…
A61N 5/1007
Using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy: arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
A61N 2005/1008
Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body: apparatus for temporary insertion of sources, e.g. afterloaders
F16C
Shafts