Systems and methods for generating a radiation therapy treatment plan by using ultrasound images are disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a first set of image data representing a first image of an anatomical region that includes a treatment applicator inserted into the anatomical region. The method further comprises receiving tracking information indicating a position of the treatment applicator as represented in the first set of image data, obtaining a second set of image data representing a second image of the anatomical region, and combining at least a portion of the first set of image data with the second set of image data. One of the first set and the second set of image data is used to identify a target tissue portion in the anatomical region. The method further comprises generating, based on the combined image data, treatment plan information for treating the target tissue portion in the anatomical region.

The invention relates to an assembly for performing brachytherapy treatment of tumor tissue in a human or animal body comprising an intracavitary component and at least one guiding unit, said at least one guiding unit exhibiting a longitudinal axis and being connectable to said intracavitary component, and wherein said at least one guiding unit is provided with coupling means for coupling at least one interstitial needle-assembly for delivering treatment to said tumor tissue. The assembly has coupling/uncoupling means arranged to allow a displacement of said at least one interstitial needle-assembly in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis and to prevent a displacement of said at least one interstitial needle-assembly in a direction parallel to or a pre-defined angle to said longitudinal axis. This coupling principle allows for the preparation of the guiding unit before the patient is being hospitalized and positioned in the treatment room and will prevent the unwanted uncoupling of the interstitial needle-assembly during the actual treatment being performed, further reducing the risk of adversely affected treatment parameters (location and duration of the radiation being administered to the patient).

A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.

Radiation therapy devices, systems and methods are in general sheet-like form, are characterized by flexibility, and include at least one spacer that can be a balloon or bubble that assists in placement of radio therapeutic members at desired treatment locations along or around a limb, within an existing body cavity, or at a site that was formed under a patient's skin for treatment purposes. Sarcoma treatment is particularly conducive to treatment by these devices, systems and methods. One or more detectors, such as microdiodes, are accommodated when desired on the device, and a hyperthermia tube or the like is also includable that delivers hyperthermia treatment for the target treatment site or sites. Data collected by the detector allows the medical professional to monitor radiation treatment and, when desired, interaction between hyperthermia treatment and radiation delivery by the radiation treatment member.

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 flexible, multi-lumen brachytherapy device includes a plurality of loose lumens extend through a hub towards a single point of attachment at a distal rigid section. Because the lumens are attached at only a single distal location, the lumens are free to move axially and rotatably, thereby increasing the overall flexibility of the device to thereby decrease intermittent device movement while increasing patient comfort. A novel keyed stylet can be selectively inserted to increase the rigidity of the device as needed. The ability to dynamically modify the rigidity of the brachytherapy device provides a comprehensive brachytherapy solution that satisfies concerns of the patient, the surgeon and the radiologists.

A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the distal end portion, and the balloons being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon, wherein one or more of inflatable balloons further includes a second one of the plurality lumens associated with a corresponding inner wall of a corresponding inflatable balloon and adapted to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment. The plurality of balloons can have varying sizes in relation to each other and also include lumens within or associated with the inner walls of the balloons to deliver a treatment.

An apparatus for providing at least one treatment to at least one tissue having a first structural arrangement configured to expand a first portion at a distal end of the apparatus, a second structural arrangement configured to expand a second portion at the distal end and at least one lumen associated with at least one of the first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement. The first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement can be configured to position the at least one lumen at a particular position with respect to the tissue. A tip is configured to aid in the insertion of the apparatus into the tissue(s).

A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a 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 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 and deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and material from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a liquid saline solution, a fluid medium, or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the treatment.

A method of inserting brachytherapy seeds into a body organ includes grasping a body organ between a frame defining a large central hole and an additional element. A grid defining a plurality of apertures adapted to receive elongate applicators is placed on one side of the body organ. A plurality of applicators are passed through apertures in the first and second grids and through the body organ. The brachytherapy seeds are anchored in the organ through the frame.