Back to results
US 8,939,881 B2Granted
Apparatus for loading dosimetrically customizable brachytherapy carriers
AssigneeGammaTile LLC
InventorsPeter Nakaji, David Brachman, Heyoung McBride, Emad Youssef, Theresa Thomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for loading and customizing brachytherapy carriers based on the principles of optimizing a more precise and predictable dosimetry, and adaptable to the geometric challenges of a tumor bed in a real-time setting. The present invention relates to a specialized loading device designed to enable a medical team to create a radionuclide carrier for each patient and tumor reliably, reproducibly and efficiently.
Claims14
A loading device comprising:
- a base including:
- a loading bed having an opening opposite a bottom surface and between opposing side walls extending upward from the bottom surface, the loading bed sized to receive a radionuclide carrier therein;
- and
- a first loading channel support structure adjacent one end of the loading bed and including an entry channel through a central portion of the loading channel support structure such that the entry channel receives a needle and guides the needle through the loading channel support structure into and through the loading bed without the needle contacting the bottom surface or side walls of the loading bed;
- and,
- a lid that engages with the base such that the base and the lid enclose a radionuclide carrier on the loading bed, the lid including:
- a top surface sized to cover the opening of the loading bed;
- a loading bed insert that engages internal surfaces of the side walls of the loading bed;
- and
- a second loading channel support structure at an end of the lid such that the first and second loading channel support structures are at opposite ends of the loading device when the base and lid are engaged, the second loading channel support structure including an exit channel through a central portion of the second loading channel support structure, such that the exit channel receives the needle after passing through the entry channel of the base and the radionuclide carrier positioned on the loading bed in order to guide the needle out of the loading device.
7 more elements
A method of loading a carrier with a radioactive seed, the method comprising:
- providing a base including:
- a loading bed formed by a bottom surface and opposing side walls extending upward from the bottom surface such that the loading bed receives a carrier therein, the carrier configured to receive a radioactive seed;
- and
- an entry channel positioned to receive a needle configured to position the radioactive seed into the carrier;
- positioning the carrier on the loading bed;
- placing a bed liner on the loading bed prior to positioning the carrier on the loading bed, the bed liner having a thickness of at least 1 mm;
- engaging a lid with the base, the lid comprising a loading bed insert sized to engage the opposing side walls of the loading bed, in order to form an interior cavity enclosing the carrier, the lid comprising an exit channel that receives the needle after passing through the entry channel of the base and the carrier positioned within the interior cavity;
- inserting the needle coupled to the radioactive seed into the entry channel;
- and
- pushing the needle into the interior cavity, through the carrier and at least partially out of the interior cavity through the exit channel so that the radioactive seed is secured within the carrier positioned within the interior cavity.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.