Methods and devices for minimally-invasive delivery of radiation to the eye

摘要

Methods and devices for minimally-invasive delivery of radiation to the eye (such as the posterior portion of the eye) including cannulas with afterloading systems for introducing radionuclide brachytherapy sources to the cannulas, for example following insertion and positioning of the cannulas. The afterloaders may house the radionuclide brachytherapy source in a vault and connect to the cannula via a guide tube. The afterloaders can advance and retract the source and ensure accurate placement of the source within the cannula.

主权项

1. A method of irradiating a target of an eye in a patient, said method comprising:
(a) inserting a cannula (100) into a potential space between a sclera and a Tenon's capsule of the eye of the patient, the cannula (100) is operatively connected to an afterloading system (700) having a radionuclide brachytherapy source (RBS) (400); (b) placing a distal portion (110) of the cannula (100) on or near the sclera and positioning a treatment position (118) of the distal portion (110) of the cannula (100) near the target; (c) advancing the RBS (400) from the afterloading system (700) through the cannula (100) to the treatment position (118) in the distal portion (110) of the cannula (110); (d) exposing the target to the RBS (400); (e) retracting the RBS (400); and (f) removing the cannula (100).