IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR APPLYING X-RAYS TO AN INTERIOR SURFACE OF A BODY CAVITY

摘要

The present invention is directed to an assembly for stretching a body cavity to a predetermined shape. The assembly includes an inelastic balloon (12) that is affixed to the distal end of a balloon-tube (24). The tube (214) defines an interior channel (222) extending along a central axis that is contiguous with the interior of the balloon such that inflation and deflation of the balloon (12) is controllable from the proximal end of the tube (214). When inflated the balloon (12) defines a predetermined surface contour disposed about an interior region extending along the balloon axis. An alignment device operative from the proximal end of the tube (214) provides for selectively aligning the central and balloon axes to a predetermined angular orientation. The catheter may be part of a kit for providing radiation treatment to a body cavity, including an x-ray source (114) including an x-ray generator (116) disposed at or near a target end of an elongated tubular element (214) wherein the tubular element (214) is slidably positionable within the interior channel (222) such that the target end is positionable within the balloon when inflated. Inflating the balloon (12) within a body cavity and positioning the target end inside the inflated balloon (12) allows delivery of a specifically contoured dose of radiation to the tissue lining the body cavity.