A tandem applicator assembly for brachytherapy that includes a tandem and a camera system. The tandem has a tubular main body with a trail end and a lead end. A transparent cap is affixed to the lead end. The camera system is removably received by the tandem through the trail end of the tubular main body. The camera system is disposed inside of the transparent cap. The camera system includes at least one digital camera configured to acquire color images from a patient through the transparent cap. The tandem applicator assembly may be used with a treatment planning system and method for customizing a treatment plan for a patient undergoing brachytherapy.

A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

Devices, systems, and methods for repositioning organs, such as the rectum, during radiation therapy treatments, are described.

A tandem applicator assembly for brachytherapy that includes a tandem and a camera system. The tandem has a tubular main body with a trail end and a lead end. A transparent cap is affixed to the lead end. The camera system is removably received by the tandem through the trail end of the tubular main body. The camera system is disposed inside of the transparent cap. The camera system includes at least one digital camera configured to acquire color images from a patient through the transparent cap. The tandem applicator assembly may be used with a treatment planning system and method for customizing a treatment plan for a patient undergoing brachytherapy.

A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

A template assembly including a first grid (22) for placement on a first side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (329) adapted to receive elongate applicators (410), a second grid (24) for placement on a second side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (34), adapted to receive applicators passing through apertures of the first grid and the body organ and at least one frame (26) defining a large hole (72), positioned between the first and second grids and configured to grasp the body organ.

The invention provides a catheter apparatus, which includes an integrally formed multi-lumen pipeline structure having a proximal end direction and a distal end direction, wherein the multi-lumen pipeline structure includes a tubular structure and multiple fluid flow pipe structures, and the tubular structure and the multiple fluid flow pipe structures are disposed along a first axial direction of the multi-lumen pipeline structure; at least one pipe sleeve membrane element wrapped on the outer periphery of the multi-lumen pipeline structure, wherein the at least one pipe sleeve membrane element includes a strengthening structure and/or a buffering structure; and a pointed end which is jointed with the multi-lumen pipeline structure and is tightly fastened with the multi-lumen pipeline structure. The invention further provides a brachytherapy system using the catheter apparatus, which can be used for treating intracavitary tumors such as esophageal cancer or the like.

Carriers for embodying radioactive seeds, as well as a device for loading and customizing brachytherapy carriers based on the principles of optimizing a more precise and predictable dosimetry, and adaptable to the geometric challenges of a tumor bed in a real-time setting. The present disclosure relates to a specialized loading device designed to enable a medical team to create a radionuclide carrier for each patient and tumor reliably, reproducibly and efficiently.

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes a stent having a first strut. The first strut may include an inner surface and an outer surface. The medical device may also include a first attachment member coupled to the strut and a radioactive element. The radioactive element may be coupled to the attachment member.