Flexible catheter for the delivery of ionizing radiation to the interior of a living body

摘要

The present invention is directed towards the provision of ionizing radiation from an extracorporeal source to the interior of an internal body cavity or lumen and the dispersion of this radiation across a desired area of diseased tissue. The invention consists of an extracorporeal radiation source, a flexible catheter containing at least one hollow conduit for the transportation of the radiation along a curved path, an entrance portion to the catheter for the capture of the radiation, and an x-ray dispersive closure cap at the distal end of the catheter for the dispersion of the radiation within the body cavity or lumen and onto a specific area of tissue. This invention can be used to destroy cancerous regions within the body, such as in the pulmonary system, as well as for applications in the vasculature and other internal regions of the living body.