The present invention offers an alternative for cancer treatment where radiation, thermotherapy, or another therapeutic modality must be delivered to an internal cavity of a subject, for example to treat mouth, anal, cervical, and vaginal cancers. The invention is a new approach that builds on recent results in 3D printing and steerable needle motion planning to create customized implants containing customized curvature-constrained internal channels that fit securely, minimize air gaps, and precisely guide treatment sources through internal printed channels to accurately reach tumors and minimize damage to healthy tissue.

An intracavitary applicator, such as a vaginal applicator, includes an elongate outer shell selectively housing an elongate cylinder insert, each having an open, proximal end and a closed and curved, distal end. An endcap selectively closes the proximal ends. A central through-bore extends substantially the length of the cylinder insert. Outer guide channels run along the length and around the curved distal end of the cylinder insert to terminate near an opening of the central through-bore. Guide holes and an endcap through-bore on the endcap align and communicate with the guide channels and central through-bore, respectively, when assembled to form pathways for introduction of radioactive sources and/or other instruments. The outer shell has a thinner wall at the distal end than the side to enable the insert to be closer to the target treatment area. An anchor collar can be used to fix positioning of the intracavitary applicator.

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 brachytherapy instrument comprising a body, wherein the body is provided with at least one marker comprising a material suitable to be visualized using an ultrasonic and/or magnetic resonance imaging technique. The invention further relates to an image acquisition system and a method of image acquisition.

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.

The invention relates to a brachytherapy system for supporting application of radiation to a patient body. The system cooperates with an applicator (1) configured for fixating at least one radiation source in a body region and comprises an ultrasound device (3) configured for generating a three-dimensional image of the body region including the applicator (1). Further, an image generation unit (9) comprises a pre-stored three-dimensional model of the applicator (1) and is configured to obtain position information relating the applicator (1) on the basis of the three-dimensional image of the body region and to align the three-dimensional image of the body region and the pre-stored three-dimensional model of the applicator (1) on the basis of the position information.

Embodiments of the disclosure may be drawn to brachytherapy applicators. Exemplary applicators may include an interstitial tube having a body with a proximal end and a distal end and a central conduit extending from the distal end of the body, wherein the central conduit includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a channel extending from the proximal opening to the distal opening, and wherein the proximal opening is offset from an axis of the body. The proximal opening may be configured to fluidly connect to a brachytherapy guide tube, and the channel of the central conduit may be dimensioned to receive at least one of a needle or a catheter therethrough.

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.

The invention provides a two-step tapered applicator, which can be used to deliver high-dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy to a female patient's vagina post-hysterectomy. In certain embodiments, once inserted through the female patient's vaginal opening (or introitus), the applicator of the invention causes less physical discomfort to the female patient than currently available applicators. In other embodiments, the applicator is used in a female patient whose vaginal apex is larger in diameter than her vaginal introitus.

Brachytherapy oncology treatment systems and methods are provided. One such system and method employs a catheter or tandem and a mobile balloon device having an enclosed inner volume and an internal surface with an internal perimeter size larger than the external surface perimeter size and adequate to allow sliding longitudinal movement between the catheter or tandem and the mobile balloon device. The mobile balloon device has a radiation dose delivery tube that is at or moves by inflation to a strategic radiation dose delivery location for brachytherapy. An embodiment allows for a multi-part catheter or tandem having a detachable distal section suitable for retaining within a body cavity such as the uterus, both during radiation treatment and during recovery time between radiation treatments. This distal portion can be intended for single-patient use and be disposed of after completion of a radiation treatment session having multiple radiation dose treatment times. One or both of real time in vivo detection and monitoring and hypertherapy features can be included.