An apparatus and method for loading brachytherapy carriers with radioactive seeds in order to implement brachytherapy treatment protocols with more precise and predictable dosimetry. These apparatuses and methods enable a medical team to create a radionuclide carrier for each patient and tumor reliably, reproducibly and efficiently.

Brachytherapy radioisotope carrier systems and methodology for providing real-time customized brachytherapy treatment to subjects with tumors difficult to control using conventional radiation therapy techniques. The invention generally relates to devices, methods and kits for providing customized radionuclide treatments, to help cure, slow progression or regrowth, or ameliorate the symptoms associated with tumors.

This present invention discloses a multi-channel radioactive source implantation device and its method of use. The device comprises a main control body, a first motion platform, a first connecting portion, a wire output channel, a pushing wire, a wire driving mechanism, and a radioactive source feeding mechanism. The wire driving mechanism connects to the wire output channel. The radioactive source feeding mechanism is used to set radioactive source in the front of the pushing wire. The wire driving mechanism is used to drive the pushing wire to move back and forth along the wire output channel. The wire output channel is a rigid structure or a flexible structure that can be bent. One end of the wire output channel and the first connecting portion are respectively located on the opposite sides of the first motion platform. The first motion platform is used to control the relative motion in space between one end of the wire output channel and the first connection part, so that it makes the wire output channel to dock with one end of connection hole of different flexible delivery tubes, and the seeds or seed strands are pushed out from different connection holes, thereby achieving multi-channel implantation. This invention helps to enhance the implantation precision and efficiency, achieves fully automated operation, and helps to avoid radiation risks and reduce surgical time.

A rotating shield brachytherapy (RSBT) apparatus includes a radiation source, at least one applicator, a catheter, a catheter drive assembly, a robotic positioning system, and a connection system. The applicator(s) is configured to be inserted or implanted into a patient. A distal end portion of the catheter has at least one radiation shield and is configured to receive a wire-mounted radiation source. The catheter drive assembly causes helical motion of the catheter and engages the proximal end portion of the catheter to selectively rotate the catheter about a longitudinal axis. The robotic positioning system aligns the catheter drive assembly, in both position and angular orientation at a modifiable rate, with the applicator(s), or to any programmed point in space. The connection system couples the catheter drive assembly to the applicator(s), and further decouple the catheter drive from the applicator(s).

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.

The present invention provides a brachytherapy applicator device having: an elongate body defining a plurality of brachytherapy needle channels, each adapted and configured to receive a brachytherapy needle; a proximal end defining a plurality of proximal openings, each in communication with one of the plurality of brachytherapy needle channels; and a distal end defining a plurality of distal openings, each in communication with one of the plurality of brachytherapy needle channels, wherein at least some of the plurality of brachytherapy needle channels are curved away from a central axis of the elongate body at the distal end such that a brachytherapy needle inserted therethrough will engage with tissue lateral to a cross-sectional profile of the distal end of the elongate body.