| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080221384 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING THEM - Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20090156882 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING THEM - Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090216064 | BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region of a human or other mammalian body. In some embodiments, a flexible brachytherapy device is implanted that includes a therapy delivery portion having one or more radioactive sources securely retained thereto, and a tail portion extending from the therapy delivery portion. Once implanted, the tail portion may extend outside the body, where it may be folded and secured flat against the skin. The device may be removed at therapy completion. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for delivering brachytherapy devices to the body. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090234178 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING RADIATION THERAPY - Described here are conformable brachytherapy applicators. The conformable brachytherapy applicators generally follow the contour of tissue surfaces so that distances between radiation sources and target tissues can be precisely determined and radiation dose clouds can be readily shaped. Systems and methods for using the conformable brachytherapy applicators are also described. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090240095 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING RADIATION THERAPY - Described here are conformable brachytherapy applicators. The conformable brachytherapy applicators generally follow the contour of tissue surfaces so that distances between radiation sources and target tissues can be precisely determined and radiation dose clouds can be readily shaped. Systems and methods for using the conformable brachytherapy applicators are also described. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20100004670 | EXTRALUMINAL BALLOON DISSECTION - The present invention provides balloon dissection apparatus and methods of use in which an elongate balloon is utilized to dissect along a region that follows a naturally existing path alongside a vessel or structure, such as an artery, a vein, a lymphatic vessel, the trachea, the esophagus, or even a nerve bundle. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100046698 | DEVICE FOR CUSHIONING OF COMPRESSION SURFACES - According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100099939 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING THEM - Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways. The apparatus may include features to prevent overexpansion of the elongate members and/or to facilitate rapid collapse of the elongate members. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100204537 | BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING THEM - Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100249487 | BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USING SAME - Apparatus, systems and methods for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region of a human or other mammalian body. In some embodiments, a flexible brachytherapy device is implanted that includes a therapy delivery portion having one or more radioactive sources securely retained thereto, and a tail portion extending from the therapy delivery portion. Once implanted, the tail portion may extend outside the body, where it may be folded and secured flat against the skin. The device may be removed at therapy completion. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for delivering brachytherapy devices to the body. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100305602 | BALLOON DISSECTING INSTRUMENTS - Balloon loaded dissection devices and methods for using such devices are disclosed. One such device includes an elongate shaft having sufficient rigidity to push through body tissue free of naturally occurring openings in the body tissue alongside an elongate structure, a handle operably mounted on an end of the elongate shaft, an elongate balloon capable of assuming deflated and inflated states on the elongate shaft, and a fluid passageway in communication with the inflatable interior space in the elongate balloon for communicating an inflation fluid to the elongate balloon. The handle includes a receptacle configured to releasably receive an instrument. The receptacle defines an elongated slot laterally spaced from the elongated shaft. The elongate balloon includes an axial length substantially greater than a transverse diameter of the elongate balloon when the elongate balloon is in the inflated state. The balloon defines an inflatable interior space into which a fluid is introduced to inflate the balloon. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110004094 | Bioabsorbable Target for Diagnostic or Therapeutic Procedure - An implantable device has a body that is substantially rigid and has an imageable shape. The body is further bioabsorbable and may contain permanent metallic elements to aid in its imaging. When the device is implanted in a resected cavity in soft tissue, it can cause the cavity to conform substantially to a known imageable shape. The implantable device is further imageable due to its attenuation properties being different from those of soft tissue such that the boundaries of the tissue corresponding to the predetermined shape can be determined. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110137103 | BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING THEM - Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways. | 06-09-2011 |
