Apparatus or techniques can include an applicator that can include an expandable element and an ultrasonic transducer. The applicator can be inserted into a cavity of a tissue region of a patient and images of the cavity and the applicator can be generated based on signals obtained from the ultrasonic transducer. Dosing of radiation can be determined based on the images and a dose of radiation can be delivered to the tissue region by a radiation source located in the applicator.

A brachytherapy needle guidance device is a device that facilitates the placement of a brachytherapy needle into a treatment region in tissue. This tissue may a breast tissue and the brachytherapy needle may be a fiducial needle. The brachytherapy needle guidance device may have an anchoring feature that anchors the brachytherapy needle guidance device into the tissue once it is properly positioned. The brachytherapy needle guidance device is used by software for treatment planning.

A portable device for insertion of radioactive seeds in percutaneous interstitial brachytherapy applications is described. The device includes: an elongated main body in form of a handpiece; a shielded container of radioactive seeds, received within the main body and having a rotating drum suitable, in use, to release one or more radioactive seeds from the container; means for driving the rotating drum, activatable by an operator and based on lever mechanisms and gears; and means for introducing one or more radioactive seeds in a body site of interest, comprising a substantially wire-shaped pusher. The pusher urges the radioactive seed(s) released from the rotating drum through a cannula unit.

A modular applicator for enabling a brachytherapy treatment comprising a central element and one or more of peripheral elements, wherein the central element is adapted with a fixation mechanism having a core for affixing the said peripheral elements thereto, wherein the fixation mechanism prevents a rotational displacement of the peripheral elements attached to the core of the fixation element with respect to the central element.

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.

A catheter treatment apparatus comprises an elongate tubular member and an expandable support. The expandable support comprises a radioactive substance to treat cancerous tissue and is configured to expand from a narrow profile for insertion to a wide profile to engage and treat tissue remaining after resection. The expandable support can be sized to fit within a volume of removed tissue to place the radioactive substance in proximity to the capsule and remaining tissue, to spare the capsule and proximate nerves and vessels to treat tissue in proximity to the capsule. The elongate tubular member may comprise a channel such as a lumen to pass a bodily fluid such as urine when the expandable support engages the tissue to treat the patient for a plurality of days. The treatment apparatus can be used to resect and diagnose tissue concurrently. Based on the diagnosis, targeted segmental treatment may be given.

A mechanism facilitates the insertion of radioactive sources/source strands into soft tissue, such as breast tissue, that improves the reproducibility of the procedure and ensures that the sources are reliably and consistently inserted in an exact position per a patient prescription treatment plan from patient to patient as well as improve the ease-of-use of the device and procedure.

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.

Aspects herein are directed to an anchorable brachytherapy device configured to be permanently implanted in a tumor bed at the time of operative removal of the tumor. In exemplary aspects, the brachytherapy device may comprise a plurality of hollow tubes that form a spherical or ellipsoid shape. Protrusions or grooves may be formed on an outer surface of the tubes to help anchor the brachytherapy device in the tumor bed. Radioactive seeds or strands may be positioned within the tube channels to provide radiation to the tumor bed.

A brachytherapy source delivery device includes a first tissue-piercing leg having proximal and distal ends, a second tissue-piercing leg having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal ends of the first and second tissue-piercing legs are joined at a span section in a first angular orientation with respect to each other, and a carrier element formed at, or attached to, the span section, the carrier element configured to support a radioactive brachytherapy source. The distal ends of the first and second legs can be curved inward toward each other to pierce a tissue when engaged toward each other into a closed position. The first and second tissue-piercing legs can be formed of a wire having a circular cross-sectional or non-circular cross-sectional shape. The carrier element can be tangentially attached to the span section. Each of the legs have a length that is greater than the length of the span section.