DOSIMETRICALLY CUSTOMIZABLE BRACHYTHERAPY CARRIERS AND METHODS THEREOF IN THE TREATMENT OF TUMORS

摘要

Brachytherapy radioisotope carrier systems and methodology for providing real-time customized brachytherapy treatment to subjects with tumors difficult to control using conventional radiation therapy techniques. The invention generally relates to devices, methods and kits for providing customized radionuclide treatments, to help cure, slow progression or regrowth, or ameliorate the symptoms associated with tumors.

主权项

1. A treatment apparatus configured for placement in a cavity of a mammal to apply radioactive energy from radionuclide seeds to at least some mammalian tissue forming the cavity, the treatment apparatus comprising:
a plurality of three-dimensional collagen-based tiles each having a first surface, an opposing second surface parallel to the first surface, and a uniform thickness of about four millimeters therebetween; and a plurality of cylindrical radionuclide seeds, each embedded in one of the tiles at an offset position between the first and second surfaces such that the radionuclide seeds are substantially closer to the first surfaces than to the second surfaces of the tiles, wherein the cylindrical radionuclide seeds are positioned within respective tiles such that a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical radionuclide seeds is substantially parallel to first surfaces of respective tiles in which the cylindrical radionuclide seeds are embedded; wherein one of the first surface or the second surface of each of the tiles includes a textural feature usable by a user to distinguish between the first and second surfaces of the tiles such that each of the tiles may be inserted into the cavity at a desired orientation with reference to first and second surfaces.