ENDORECTAL BALLOON WITH GAS RELEASE LUMEN

摘要

A rectal balloon apparatus comprises a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A rectal gas relieving lumen may be positioned with a central shaft for removal of rectal gas. The gas releasing lumen can also or in the alternative be provided along an outer surface of the balloon. A motion detecting sensor and a radiation detecting sensor may be positioned with the balloon, the shaft, and/or the rectal gas release lumen.

主权项

1. A method of treating prostate cancer by external beam radiation therapy (XRT), comprising:
a) inserting a prostate immobilizing balloon into a rectum of a patient with a cancerous prostate; said balloon comprising:
i) a proximal end and a distal end;ii) a first lumen communicating with an interior of said balloon, said first lumen having a closable valve;iii) a second lumen extending from past said proximal end of said balloon to past said distal end of said balloon, said second lumen having a capped distal tip and one or more ports adjacent said capped distal tip and distal to said balloon;iv) said balloon further comprising one or more fiducial markers on a surface thereof; b) allowing rectal gas to exit the rectum via said one or more ports until no further exiting gas is evident; c) inflating said balloon sufficiently to compress and immobilize said prostate; d) determining the position of said one or more fiducial markers and positioning said balloon such that said fiducial markers are in a desired position. e) treating said prostate with XRT; and f) allowing rectal gas to exit the rectum via said one or more ports during said treatment.