Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy
AssigneeNeoVista, Inc.
InventorsRichard A Hillstead, Charles E. Larsen, Roelof Trip, Cory S. Anderson
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy are disclosed in which a cannula is introduced into the eye for delivery of radiation to a target tissue. Techniques for properly locating the cannula with respect to the target tissue, for protecting non-target tissue, for regulating heat generated by x-ray emitters, and for combining therapies are disclosed.
Claims8
A method of positioning a device for local delivery of radiation to intraocular sub-retinal target tissue a pre-determined space relative to the target tissue comprising:
- providing a device comprising a cannula sized for insertion into an eye and having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a radiation-emitting source adapted to be located in the distal end of the cannula;
- and an ultrasound transducer located in the distal end of the cannula adapted to directionally emit ultrasonic radiation toward the target tissue;
- calibrating the ultrasound transducer in accordance with a predetermined spacing for the distal end of the cannula from the sub-retinal target tissue so as to generate a signal when the predetermined spacing is achieved;
- introducing the cannula into an eye through an access site on the eye;
- and
- moving the distal end of the cannula toward the sub-retinal target tissue until the signal generated by the ultrasound transducer is perceived by a user.
A method of positioning a first cannula within an eye for delivery of a therapeutic treatment to a target tissue within the eye comprising:
- introducing the first cannula into the eye through an access site on the eye;
- introducing a second cannula into the eye through an access site on the eye, the second cannula including an ultrasound transducer;
- positioning the distal end of the first cannula between the ultrasound transducer associated with the second cannula and the target tissue;
- and
- moving the distal portion of the first cannula toward the target tissue until a predetermined spacing between the distal end of the first cannula and the target tissue is achieved, at which time a signal is generated by the ultrasound transducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.