The invention relates to the radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject. In particular the invention relates to an endorectal probe device for effecting radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject. Furthermore the invention relates to an afterloading apparatus for effecting radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject using an endorectal probe device according to the invention. Moreover the invention relates to a method for effecting radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject, wherein the method implements the endorectal probe device according to the invention.

A method and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions, including a device having an end effector sized and shaped to contact a nerve component on the exterior of a bronchial segment and apply energy to that nerve component.

A design, quality assurance, and clinical use procedures are provided for real-time tracking of a custom MRI/CT-compatible brachytherapy applicators. A real-time tracking system is used for applicator implantation, repositioning and tracking during treatment delivery.

The intraoral radiotherapy stent includes a hollow tube having opposed first and second open ends. First and second discs are provided, each having opposed inner and outer faces. A first shaft is secured centrally to the inner face of the first disc and extends axially therefrom. The first shaft is adjustably received within the hollow tube through the first open end thereof. A second shaft is secured centrally to the inner face of the second disc and extends axially therefrom. The second shaft is adjustably received within the hollow tube through the second open end thereof. First and second lip retractors are mounted on the hollow tube for holding the patient's mount open during a radiotherapy procedure or the like, and a tongue depressor is also mounted on the hollow tube to depress the patient's tongue and minimize tongue movement during radiotherapy or the like.

A method of inserting brachytherapy seeds into a body organ includes grasping a body organ between a frame defining a large central hole and an additional element. A grid defining a plurality of apertures adapted to receive elongate applicators is placed on one side of the body organ. A plurality of applicators are passed through apertures in the first and second grids and through the body organ. The brachytherapy seeds are anchored in the organ through the frame.

Interstitial brachytherapy is a cancer treatment in which radioactive material is placed directly in the target tissue of the affected site using an afterloader. The accuracy of this placement is monitored in real time using a urinary catheter that locates the radioactive material according to the radiation levels measured by sensors in the walls of the urinary catheter. A scintillator that is embedded in the walls of the urinary catheter produces light when irradiated by the radioactive material. This light is proportional to the level of radiation at each location. The light produced by each scintillator is carried through optical fibers and then converted to an electrical signal that is proportional to the light and the radiation level at each location. The radioactive material is located according to the plurality of electrical signals. This location can be used as quality control feedback to the afterloader.

Interstitial brachytherapy is a cancer treatment in which radioactive material is placed closely to the target tissue of the affected site using an afterloader (HDR-brachytherapy) or manually (LDR- and PDR-brachytherapy). For HDR-brachytherapy, the accuracy of this placement is calibrated using an external reference system that locates the radioactive material according to the radiation levels measured at locations around the source. At each of these locations, a scintillator produces light when irradiated by the radioactive material. This light is proportional to the level of radiation at each location. The light produced by each scintillator is converted to an electrical signal that is proportional to the light and the radiation level at each location. The radioactive material is located according to the plurality of electrical signals.

An apparatus for providing treatment to at least one tissue includes a distal balloon, a proximal balloon, and an intermediate balloon positioned between the distal balloon and the proximal balloon and inflatable independently from the distal and proximal balloons. A source lumen is positioned within at least the intermediate balloon receives a radiation source to treat target tissue adjacent the intermediate balloon.

Interstitial brachytherapy is a cancer treatment in which radioactive material is placed directly in the target tissue of the affected site using an afterloader. The accuracy of this placement is monitored in real time using a urinary catheter that locates the radioactive material according to the radiation levels measured by sensors in the walls of the urinary catheter. A scintillator that is embedded in the walls of the urinary catheter produces light when irradiated by the radioactive material. This light is proportional to the level of radiation at each location. The light produced by each scintillator is carried through optical fibers and then converted to an electrical signal that is proportional to the light and the radiation level at each location. The radioactive material is located according to the plurality of electrical signals. This location can be used as quality control feedback to the afterloader.

Provided herein are methods of modulating, in vivo, cells engineered with a recombinant receptor, such as a T cell receptor (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In some embodiments, the methods include disrupting an area in the subject in which the cells are present or likely to be present or were present or were likely to be present, such as a lesion, including a tumor. In some embodiments, the disruption alters the environment of the lesion, e.g. tumor microenvironment. In some embodiments, the disruption is a biopsy. In some aspects, the provided methods result in increased expansion, and, in some cases, a more robust and durable response, of the engineered cells after carrying out the disruption.