Disclosed herein is a marker-flange for use with a brachytherapy applicator, having a flange body with a first face, a second face, and a hollow chamber positioned between the first and second faces. A cavity extending through the flange body is dimensioned to receive a tandem in a brachytherapy applicator in a press-fit connection, so as to affix the flange-marker to an outside surface of the tandem. The hollow chamber includes an MR imaging responsive marker agent that provides strong signal intensities and a high geometric accuracy in MR imaging.

The invention relates to a determination apparatus for determining the pose and shape of an introduction element like a catheter within a living being, wherein the introduction element (12) is adapted to be used by a brachytherapy apparatus for introducing a radiation source (10) close to a target object (11) to be treated. A position determination element (27) like guidewire (20) with an electromagnetic tracking element (16) is introduced into the introduction element (12) such that it is arranged at different locations within the introduction element (12), wherein the positions of the position determination element (27) within the introduction element (12) are determined. The determined positions are then acquired depending on the determined positions for determining the pose and shape of the introduction element within the living being. This can lead to a determination procedure with reduced user interaction, thereby simplifying the determination procedure for the user.

A hand-held device for assisted steering of a percutaneously inserted needle comprises a handle, an actuation unit, and a haptic feedback unit. A computer-implemented system calculates a needle shape and position based on one or a combination of analysis of ultrasound images and determination of needle insertion parameters based on electronic signals generated by a sensor unit. The system calculates a correction to a needle insertion parameter to achieve a target needle trajectory, including a correction to a needle axial rotation. The system activates the actuation unit to rotate the needle in accordance with the correction to the needle axial rotation, and activates to the haptic feedback unit to vibrate the handle in a vibration pattern determined by a rules database depending on one or a combination of the calculated needle shape, the calculated needle position, and the correction to the needle insertion parameter.

The invention relates to a determination apparatus for determining the pose and shape of an introduction element like a catheter within a living being, wherein the introduction element is adapted to be used by a brachytherapy apparatus for introducing a radiation source close to a target object to be treated. A position determination element like guidewire with an electromagnetic tracking element is introduced into the introduction element such that it is arranged at different locations within the introduction element, wherein the positions of the position determination element within the introduction element are determined. The determined positions are then acquired depending on the determined positions for determining the pose and shape of the introduction element within the living being. This can lead to a determination procedure with reduced user interaction, thereby simplifying the determination procedure for the user.

A calibration system includes a channel block (102) having a plurality of channels (104) formed therein. The channels are configured to correspond to locations where treatment devices are inserted for treatment of a patient. The channels are dimensioned to restrict motion of the treatment devices. A tracking system (128) is configured to monitor a position of a treatment device (108) inserted in one or more of the channels. The tracking system is configured to generate tracking data for the at least one treatment device for comparison with an expected position for the treatment device.

A subject target tissue specific template device (300) that includes a block of material (302) and a plurality of apertures (310) in the material. An aperture of the plurality of apertures is located in the block of material at a location that corresponds to an area of interest identified in an image of an anatomical region of interest of a subject and transferred to an image of block of material with no aperture, which is geometrically aligned with the image of the anatomical region of interest of the subject. A method includes aligning, with a computing system, an image of anatomical tissue of interest with an image of a grid, marking at least one area of interest of tissue of interest within the image of tissue of interest, transferring the marking to the image of the grid, and saving the image of a grid with the marking as a file in an electronic format.

A method for minimally invasive laser ablation of a target tissue within a patient while sparing tissue within a safety zone proximate to the target tissue, comprising: guiding a laser fiber within a patient with a guidance tool; measuring a temperature within the target tissue and the safety zone based on an invasive and a non-invasive thermal sensor; computing a thermal profile in conjunction with a real-time tissue image adapted for guidance of the laser fiber with the guidance tool within the patient; and controlling a laser to deliver energy through the laser fiber, to deliver a minimally therapeutic ablation therapy to the target tissue while ensuring that the safety zone is maintained in a non-ablation condition, based on at least a treatment plan, the measured temperature, and the thermal profile.

The present disclosure proposes a flexible delivery system and method for a radioactive source. The system includes a main body, a delivery channel, a flexible pushing wire, and a wire driving mechanism. The flexible pushing wire is disposed in the delivery channel, the delivery channel is configured to guide the flexible pushing wire to move forward and backward, the wire driving mechanism is capable of driving the flexible pushing wire to move reciprocally, and the flexible pushing wire is capable of driving seeds, or seed strain chains, or seed strand casings to a target position along the delivery channel, which can achieve high-precision positional control and implantation and solve the problem of drifting movement of the puncture needle and multi-channel implantation of radioactive sources.

Braces to reduce bending of a brachytherapy needle during insertion into a patient, as well as methods of using the needle braces and kits useful therefor.

The problem of securing the position of an internally placed medical device that extends out of the body during targeted high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is solved by a uniquely configured immobilization system that can be utilized to stabilize medical devices placed, for example, within the uterus or cervix. During the process of transporting a patient from the location where the HDR applicator is emplaced, for example, where the tandem and ring is placed within the cervix of a patient, to the location where the treatment is actually applied to the tissue, the medical device can move out of place and in so doing cause discomfort, pain, or an ineffective treatment for the patient. The embodiments of this immobilization system can include a strap apparatus, a straddling girdle, and bracket that can be attached to a patient. This immobilization system ensures the position of an internally placed medical device during targeted HDR brachytherapy.