Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090264696 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE - A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to the movable outer surface is permitted. The brachytherapy device is inserted into a body cavity. After insertion, the movable surface is moved to position the at least one source lumen closer to the tissue boundary of the cavity. One or more sources of radiation are then placed within the at least one source lumen to provide a customizable treatment. Also disclosed are methods for providing brachytherapy via body cavities. | 10-22-2009 |
20100121129 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE - A brachytherapy device including an elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device also includes a movable surface portion surrounding at least the distal portion of the elongate member and a plurality of source lumen tubes defining respective source lumens, the source lumen tubes being located around the elongate member, distal ends of the source lumen tubes coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, the source lumen tubes extending a sufficient distance in a proximal direction such that the source lumen tubes extend outside a body when distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy. The device also has structure coupled to the distal ends of the source lumen tubes for positioning the distal portions of the source lumen tubes at different distances from the elongate member for brachytherapy by exerting a force in a proximal direction on the distal ends of the source lumen tubes, the structure including an actuator for actuating the structure, at least a portion of the actuator being located outside the body when the distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy. The device also includes a ring, tube or manifold securing a portion of the source lumen tubes proximal to the distal portion around the elongate member and a source of radiation suitable for insertion into the source lumens. | 05-13-2010 |
20100130807 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE - A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast. | 05-27-2010 |
20100152519 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE - A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast. | 06-17-2010 |
20100222628 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE - A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast. | 09-02-2010 |
20130225902 | EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE - A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast. | 08-29-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080231937 | Spatial Light Modulator Using an Integrated Circuit Actuator and Method of Making and Using Same - A spatial light modulator (SLM) includes an integrated circuit actuator that can be fabricated using photolithography or other similar techniques. The actuator includes actuator elements, which can be made from piezoelectric materials. An electrode array is coupled to opposite walls of each of the actuator elements is an electrode array. Each array of electrodes can have one or more electrode sections. The array of reflective devices forms the SLM. | 09-25-2008 |
20100026974 | Cooling of Actuator Coils - In order to effectively transfer heat from inner layers of an actuator coil to an area external to the coil, heat transfer elements, located proximate to the actuator coil, can be used. In an embodiment, a heat transfer apparatus for the actuator coil can include one or more heat transfer elements located proximate to one or more layers or one or more windings of the actuator coil and a cooling surface located proximate to the one or more heat transfer elements and to the actuator coil. In this configuration, the heat transfer apparatus can transfer heat from inner layers of the actuator coil to the cooling surface, which in turn transfers the heat to an area external to the actuator coil. | 02-04-2010 |
20110075236 | Method Utilizing an Electrooptic Modulator - A method utilizes a dynamically controllable optical element that receives an electrical field, which changes an index of refraction in at least one direction within the optical element. The change in index of refraction imparts a change to a beam of radiation passing through the optical element. The electric field is controlled by a feedback/control signal from a feedback system that includes a detector positioned proximate an image plane in the system. The optical element can be positioned in various places within the system depending on what light characteristics need to be adjusted, for example after an illumination system or after a light patterning system. In this manner, the optical element, under control of the dynamic electric field, can dynamically change its propagation characteristics to dynamically change either a beam of illumination from the illumination system or a patterned beam of radiation from the patterning system, such that they exhibit desired light characteristics. | 03-31-2011 |