Brachytherapy apparatus and methods of using same

Abstract

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.

1 . An apparatus for delivering a plurality of brachytherapy treatment devices into a target tissue region of a body, the apparatus comprising:
 a first compression member and a second compression member to compress a portion of the body containing the target tissue region;   a needle guide securable relative to the first compression member and defining an array of guide openings; and   a needle driver for advancing two or more needles simultaneously through the needle guide and the first and second compression members.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the needle driver and the needle guide are coupled to an arm movably coupled to a base. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first compression member defines a proximal array of openings that correspond in location to the array of guide openings. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second compression member defines a distal array of openings that correspond in location to the array of guide openings. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first compression member defines a window to receive a membrane through which the two or more needles may pass. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first compression member is operable to receive an anchoring tab through which the two or more needles may pass. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the anchoring tab defines an array of pre-formed openings through which the two or more needles may pass. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein a tail portion of one or more of the plurality of brachytherapy devices extends through one of the openings of the array of pre-formed openings. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the tail portion comprises two or more anchoring ribs spaced along a length of the tail portion. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each of the array of pre-formed openings is defined by a clearance portion having a diameter equal to or larger than an undeflected diameter of the anchoring ribs, and an interference portion having a diameter smaller than an undeflected diameter of the anchoring ribs. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the clearance portion and the interference portion are connected via a slot. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the anchoring tab is operable to conform to the shape of the body. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first compression member and the second compression member are attached to a base. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a screw mechanism to advance the needle driver. 
   
   
       15 . A method of delivering a plurality of brachytherapy devices to a target tissue region within a breast, the method comprising:
 immobilizing the breast;   locating a needle guide proximate the breast, the needle guide defining an array of guide openings corresponding to the target tissue region;   advancing a plurality of needles simultaneously through the needle guide and the target tissue region, wherein each needle of the plurality of needles includes one of the plurality of brachytherapy devices coupled thereto; and   withdrawing the plurality of needles simultaneously while leaving the plurality of brachytherapy devices implanted in the target tissue region of the breast.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein immobilizing the breast comprises compressing the breast between a first compression member and a second compression member. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein advancing the plurality of needles comprises rotating a screw operatively attached to the plurality of needles. 
   
   
       18 . A method of delivering a plurality of brachytherapy devices to a target tissue region within a breast, the method comprising:
 immobilizing the breast between first and second compression paddles;   locating a needle guide proximate the first compression paddle, the needle guide defining an array of guide openings corresponding to the target tissue region;   advancing a plurality of needles simultaneously through the needle guide, the first compression paddle, the breast, and the second compression paddle, wherein each needle includes one of the plurality of brachytherapy devices coupled thereto; and   withdrawing the plurality of needles while leaving the plurality of brachytherapy devices implanted in the target tissue region of the breast.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 inserting each needle of the plurality of needles and its associated brachytherapy device through an opening in an anchoring tab positioned adjacent the breast, wherein a tail portion of each brachytherapy device extends outside the breast through the opening in the anchoring tab;   securing the tail portion relative to the anchoring tab.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein securing the tail portion relative to the anchoring tab comprising moving the tail portion from a clearance portion of the opening of the anchoring tab to an interference portion.