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.

An apparatus for providing at least one treatment to at least one tissue having a first structural arrangement configured to expand a first portion at a distal end of the apparatus, a second structural arrangement configured to expand a second portion at the distal end and at least one lumen associated with at least one of the first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement. The first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement can be configured to position the at least one lumen at a particular position with respect to the tissue. A tip is configured to aid in the insertion of the apparatus into the tissue(s).

A catheter apparatus (10) includes a tubular member (11); multiple fluid-flow pipe members (13), each having a proximal end (19) and a distal end (18), and being disposed along a first axial direction of the tubular member; multiple node members (15) disposed along a first axial direction of the tubular member, wherein two adjacent node members (15) form a segment (1a); and a periphery member (14), wherein the periphery member (14) wraps the multiple node members (15) to form a space (1b) with the segment (1a) formed between the two adjacent node members (15). The catheter apparatus (10) can irradiate the entire diffuse tumor during one brachytherapy process without repeated placement of the catheter. Meanwhile, it can be smoothly inserted into the patient's narrow body cavity because there are no external balloons. A brachytherapy system adopts the catheter apparatus (10).

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.

An intracavity balloon catheter may include a flexible catheter and a balloon provided on a distal end of the flexible catheter. The balloon may be inflatable with the introduction of fluid into the balloon from the flexible catheter. The balloon may be composed of a plurality of sections, including a center section and side sections. The inflated balloon may have shapes such as cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or pillow shape. The intracavity balloon catheter may further include a securing device, such as a positioning ring, for securing the position of an inserted intracavity balloon catheter. This securing device may be composed of two, matable components with a passage extending through. The flexible catheter may be insertable into the passage. Tabs may be provided, either on one of the components or on a locking mechanism provided between the components, to prevent sliding of an inserted flexible catheter.

Systems and methods are provided for treating cervical and/or uterine cancers in brachytherapy with an intracavitary brachytherapy applicator. The system comprises a tandem adapted for insertion into a cervix of a patient. An ovoid assembly comprises first and second inflatable ovoids and an ovoid support mechanism. The first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted for insertion within fornices of a patient. First and second retractors are adapted to be coupled to the ovoid assembly. The first retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the bladder of a patient during treatment. The second retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the rectum of a patient during treatment. The tandem and the first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted to be coupled to a radioactive source to deliver an implant radiation dose suitable for cancer treatment at a cancerous cervical treatment site in a patient.

An intracavity balloon catheter may include a flexible catheter and a balloon provided on a distal end of the flexible catheter. The balloon may be inflatable with the introduction of fluid into the balloon from the flexible catheter. The balloon may be composed of a plurality of sections, including a center section and side sections. The inflated balloon may have shapes such as cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or pillow shape. The intracavity balloon catheter may further include a securing device, such as a positioning ring, for securing the position of an inserted intracavity balloon catheter. This securing device may be composed of two, matable components with a passage extending through. The flexible catheter may be insertable into the passage. Tabs may be provided, either on one of the components or on a locking mechanism provided between the components, to prevent sliding of an inserted flexible catheter.

A balloon applicator for intraoperative radiation therapy including a treatment head includes a connecting sleeve for attachment to the treatment head. The connecting sleeve has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end having an open end for receiving the treatment head. The distal end includes an inflatable balloon contactor for engaging patient tissue during intraoperative radiation therapy. At least one fluid port is provided for supplying and removing inflating fluid to the inflatable balloon contactor. A system and a method for conducting intraoperative radiation therapy are also provided.

The invention describes method for delivering and positioning radio-isotopes. The method uses encapsulating free flowing medicament into a leak proof vehicle and positioning the vehicle into the body. Also provided is a system for delivering and positioning radio-isotopes into the body, the system comprising fluid radio-isotope encapsulated in a leak proof material and/or absorbable material.

A multi-purpose balloon intra-cavity 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 opening 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.