Treatment of a body cavity

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for controlled application of a treatment to tissue adjacent a body cavity, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. cancer. A device embodying features of the invention includes one or more radiation shielding components to control emitted radiation from a radiation source to minimize radiation damage to healthy portions of the body cavity. A device embodying features of the invention can include a sealing member at a location on a shaft of the device proximal to a treatment location therein to seal the passageway leading to the body cavity. Methods for treating a body cavity include methods for delivering a radiation source to a body cavity while minimizing damaging irradiation of healthy tissue.

1 . A device for treating a body cavity within a patient, comprising:
 a.) a radiation delivery device, the radiation delivery device having an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumens, and a treatment location in a distal portion of the shaft, the radiation delivery device being configured to provide an asymmetrical radiation delivery pattern to tissue surrounding the treatment location; and   b.) a radiation source configured to be disposed in the treatment location.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft has a cavity filling member which at least in part fills the body cavity and which surrounds at least in part the treatment location. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a radiation shielding component configured to control at least in part the dispersal of radiation emitted from the radiation source, wherein the radiation shielding component is slidably disposed within the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the radiation shielding component is configured to be deployed proximal to the treatment location. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising at least one radiation shielding component configured to control at least in part the dispersal of radiation emitted from the radiation source, wherein the at least one radiation shielding component has a radiation shield configured to be deployed distal to the treatment location. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation source is a solid material. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the radiation source is a brachytherapy seed. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation source is selected from the group consisting of a liquid containing a radioactive iodine isotope, a slurry of solid isotope, a gel containing a radioactive isotope solid, or a microminiature x-ray tube. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one radiation shielding component is slidably disposed within the elongate shaft and has a radiation shield configured to be deployed in the treatment location. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the radiation shield defines in part a window having a length of about 2 millimeters to about 5 centimeters. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one radiation shielding component has a radiation shield that defines an arcuate shielded area with an angular range between about 20° to about 240°. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the asymmetrical radiation delivery pattern is adjustable. 
     
     
         15 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the cavity filling member is expandable. 
     
     
         26 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lumens includes a vacuum lumen configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source and one or more vacuum ports in the exterior of the elongated shaft are in fluid communication with the vacuum lumen and the body cavity to provide a vacuum within the body cavity. 
     
     
         35 - 80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . A method for treating a body cavity of a patient comprising:
 a.) providing a radiation delivery device having an elongate shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumens, and a treatment location in a distal portion of the shaft;   b.) providing a radiation source configured to be disposed in the treatment location and with the radiation delivery device being configured to control at least in part the emission of radiation emitted from the treatment location;   c.) inserting the device into the body cavity;   d.) positioning the radiation source in the treatment location; and   e.) delivering asymmetrical radiation to tissue surrounding the treatment location.   
     
     
         82 - 85 . (canceled) 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the radiation source is a brachytherapy seed. 
     
     
         87 . (canceled) 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 81 , comprising positioning a radiation shielding component to shield portions of the body cavity from radiation emitted from the radiation source. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 81 , comprising expanding an expandable member on a distal portion of the elongate shaft to at least partially fill the body cavity and which surrounds at least in part the treatment location. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , comprising providing a vacuum within the body cavity to conform tissue adjacent the body cavity to the expandable member. 
     
     
         91 . A radiation delivery device, comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumens, and a treatment location in a distal portion of the shaft, at least one of the plurality of lumens extending from the proximal end to the treatment location, the radiation delivery device being configured to provide an asymmetrical radiation delivery pattern around the treatment location.