Targeting implant for external beam radiation

Abstract

A radiation targeting system is provided. The system can include an introducer and an implant. The implant can be disposed within a cannula of the introducer and the implant can include a wire stem and multiple different wire branches each extending outwardly from a proximal portion of the wire stem. A radiation source can then be used to target the implant so that radiation therapy can be delivered to a patient. Optionally, a loader and a trocar can be included with the system.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows: 
     
         1 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A radiation targeting system, comprising:
 an implant, consisting essentially of:
 a single suture thread, and 
 at least one marker coupled to the single suture thread and marking a site responsive to applied radiation and consisting essentially of a solid unitary body defining an aperture through which only the single suture thread is disposed once; and, 
   an external beam radiation source targeting the at least one marker of the implant and applying radiation thereto.   
     
     
         11 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , wherein the single suture thread is absorbable and the at least one marker is non-absorbable. 
     
     
         12 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one marker is both non-radioactive and also radio-opaque. 
     
     
         13 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one marker is made from a metal. 
     
     
         14 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one marker is made from ceramic. 
     
     
         15 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one marker is spherical. 
     
     
         16 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one marker has a diameter of 0.030 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture defined by the solid unitary body is located on a central axis passing through the solid single unitary body. 
     
     
         18 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one marker has an essentially circular cross section at any point along a center longitudinal axis of the at least one marker. 
     
     
         19 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one marker has a diameter larger than a diameter of the single suture thread. 
     
     
         20 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 10 , further comprising an ultrasound providing guidance for positioning the implant within one of tissue of the human body, a tumor within the human body, and a body cavity within the human body. 
     
     
         21 . A radiation targeting system, comprising:
 a cannula having disposed therein an implant;   the implant, consisting essentially of:
 a single suture thread, and 
 at least one marker coupled to the single suture thread and marking a site responsive to applied radiation and consisting essentially of a solid unitary body defining an aperture through which only the single suture thread is disposed once; and, 
   an external beam radiation source targeting the at least one marker of the implant and applying radiation thereto.   
     
     
         22 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 21 , wherein the single suture thread is absorbable and the at least one marker is non-absorbable. 
     
     
         23 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one marker is both non-radioactive and also radio-opaque. 
     
     
         24 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one marker is made from a metal. 
     
     
         25 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one marker is spherical. 
     
     
         26 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 21 , wherein the aperture defined by the solid unitary body is located on a central axis passing through the solid single unitary body. 
     
     
         27 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one marker has an essentially circular cross section at any point along a center longitudinal axis of the at least one marker. 
     
     
         28 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one marker has a diameter larger than a diameter of the single suture thread. 
     
     
         29 . The radiation targeting system of  claim 21 , further comprising an ultrasound providing guidance for positioning the cannula within one of tissue of the human body, a tumor within the human body, and a body cavity within the human body.