The disclosure describes devices and methods for asymmetrical irradiation at a body cavity or site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. biopsy or cancer. One device includes a lumen which is off-set or off-settable from a longitudinal axis to increase the intensity of radiation received from a radiation source by a first tissue portion surrounding the body cavity and to reduce or minimize radiation received by a second tissue portion (e.g. healthy tissue) surrounding the body cavity.

A method and system may include a therapeutic agent having a radioactive source enclosed by a container. The container may be placed within a cavity of a medical device for treating animal tissue. The method and system allows a radioactive source to be manufactured in such a manner so as to control and spatially modulate the delivery of radiation doses to a treatment area of animal tissue, such as for tissue of humans. From the container, radiation doses and/or a radiation field are produced by the radiation source. The geometry and size of the radiation doses are controlled by the geometry of the container and the geometry of the radiation source as well as the type, number, and geometry of holes/slots in either the source material and/or a surface of the container.

A system for delivery of radiation to a target portion of a native tissue is provided. The system includes a catheter having a catheter body with a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a longitudinally oriented lumen therebetween. The system further includes an expansion device disposed about at least a portion of the catheter body and having an expanded configuration and a non-expanded configuration. The system also includes a plurality of tubes disposed about at least a portion of the expansion device. Each of the plurality of tubes is configured to selectively guide exposure of a radiation source to the target portion of the native tissue.

This invention is a medicament delivery vehicle, the vehicle comprising tubular members adapted to removably receive the medicament and an expandable stent adapted to receive the tubular members. Also provided is a medicament delivery vehicle, the vehicle comprised of tubular members which receive the medicament wherein the medicament comprises discrete entities and each of said entities are removably positioned at predetermined regions within the members.

Computerized information acquisition and processing apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sensor and processor with associate storage device(s). In one variant, the apparatus includes data relating to one or more templates associated with various physiological artifacts. The apparatus is configured in this variant to utilize the data to evaluate data collected by the sensor to enable, for example, filtering of data for transmission over a wireless interface of the apparatus.

The present disclosure is directed to a computer-implemented method for designing a patient-specific brachytherapy (BT) tandem applicator. The method is implemented using at least one processor in communication with at least one memory. The method includes receiving a radiation treatment plan for treating a region of interest. The radiation treatment plan includes a prescribed radiation dosage and patient anatomical data of the region of interested to be treated. The method also includes applying an inverse planning optimization model to determine an optimal thickness of an interior surface of the tandem applicator at a plurality of dwell positions within the region of interest. The method also includes generating a schedule of dwell times for the tandem applicator based on the generated position-dependent thickness profile. The method also includes transmitting design instructions to a 3D printer for fabrication of the tandem applicator.

An endoscopic apparatus including a probe which is introduced into, for example, the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates therein, adapted to perform one or more functions. In one embodiment, the probe communicates wirelessly with a portable electronic device outside the organism, the portable device which acts to relay data between the probe and a remote networked entity. In one variant, the probe includes an accelerometer to, for example, wake the probe up from a sleep mode when the organism is awake or ambulatory.

Computerized information acquisition and processing apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an ingestible (e.g., swallowable) computerized device that includes a video apparatus, digital processor apparatus, and a wireless interface. A non-ingestible portion of the system communicates with the ingestible device via the wireless interface and, using computer software and algorithms, processes video data generated by the ingestible device relating to the intestinal tract of a living subject, so as to enhance the speed and/or accuracy of review by a physician or other individual. In one variant, the algorithmic processing by the non-ingestible apparatus includes one or more of: (i) color intensity analysis; (ii) artifact shape analysis; and/or (iii) inter-frame similarity analysis. In another variant, the ingestible device is configured to compress the data using the processor apparatus prior to transmission over the interface to conserve wireless bandwidth.

Computerized information acquisition and processing apparatus for use in endoscopic analysis. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a swallowable apparatus having a digital processor apparatus and video apparatus with image capture and digitization capability, and a wireless interface for accomplishing various purposes, including e.g., transferring the digital image data to a second computerized apparatus having various algorithmic analysis functions operative thereon, including for example pixel intensity analysis, shape recognition, and preview functions, so as to enhance efficiency of the review process. In another embodiment, portions of the algorithmic analysis (and other functions) are performed by the digital processor apparatus on the swallowable apparatus, including selective deletion or omission of data prior to transmission.

An improved endoscopic device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein, adapted to obtain and store or transmit one or more types of data such as visual image data, laser autofluorescence data, or ultrasonic waveform data. In another aspect of the invention, an improved endoscopic device useful for implanting the aforementioned endoscopic smart probe is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for delivering agents including nanostructures, radionuclides, medication, and ligands is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for obtaining a biopsy of intestinal tissue is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for detecting the presence of one or more molecular species within the intestine is disclosed. Methods for inspecting and/or treating the interior regions of the intestinal tract using the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.