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.

A carrier having one or more non-planar surfaces may be embedded with one or more radioactive seeds. A spherical carrier may be substantially radially symmetrical around an axis or a spherical carrier may include a non-spherical portion, such as a tapered portion that extends from a spherical portion.

Custom radioactive seed carriers are fabricated pre-operatively and/or intra-operatively to more precisely match carrier specification of a radiation treatment plan for a particular patient. One or more carrier specification component, such as a 3D printer, injection molding system, machining component, or bioprinter, may be utilized to create the custom carrier.

A device for loading brachytherapy seeds and spacers into a sleeve. The device holds two or more seed or spacer cartridges of different radioactive species and dosage. The user rotates a selector for selecting a desired cartridge and, with each depression of a spring-biased plunger, pushes a seed or spacer into a channel in an inspection area. The process is repeated for the desired number and order of seeds and spacers in sequence to form a strand. The strand can be seen in the channel with the unaided eye through a transparent window. Once the strand is arranged as desired, it is pushed into a sleeve that is held in a removable sleeve holder. If desired, the end portions of the filled sleeve may be cut off using a sleeve cutter to shorten the filled sleeve. The filled sleeve is implanted into patient using a needle.

A transparent loading apparatus (also referred to herein as a “loader”) may partially or entirely comprise transparent material that allows light to pass through the loader and provides the viewer (whether manual or automated) a view of a radioactive seed, a seed carrier, a loading needle, etc. within the loader. In some embodiments, carrier material (e.g., collagen and/or other biocompatible material) and radioactive seeds (e.g., including a metal shielding and radioactive isotope) may transmit light to different degrees. For example, certain carriers, such as collagen carriers, may be translucent, while seeds may be opaque (or mostly opaque) to light. The systems discussed herein allow a viewer to detect location of a seed within a loader, and even within a carrier, because of these different light transmissivity characteristics.

A loading apparatus is usable to embed radioactive seeds into carriers, while limiting exposure of the user to radioactive energy from the radioactive seeds. The loading apparatus facilitates accurate positioning of radioactive seeds within a carrier. The illustrated loaders generally comprise two components, a base and a lid, although in other embodiments the loaders may be separated into additional components.

Provided is a focusing head, including: a cartridge configured to carry a plurality of radiation sources; a shielding roller with the cartridge therein; a first driving assembly connected to the cartridge and configured to drive the cartridge to rotate; and a second driving assembly connected to the shielding roller and configured to drive the shielding roller to rotate.

A loading apparatus is usable to embed radioactive seeds into carriers, while limiting exposure of the user to radioactive energy from the radioactive seeds. The loading apparatus facilitates accurate positioning of radioactive seeds within a carrier. The illustrated loaders comprise two components, a base and a lid, although in other embodiments the loaders may be separated into additional components.

The invention relates to a delivery assistance device for assisting in a brachytherapy procedure. The invention provides for an output of an optimized treatment plan, taking into considering the portions of the procedure already carried out. The invention provides for an update of the sequence and the dosing after, for example, each needle insertion. The sequence of the treatment plan is determined such that, for example, steps of the procedure in which an error may have a larger impact, which needs to be corrected by modifying later steps, are provided earlier than steps in which an error is less likely and/or may have a lesser impact.

A transparent loading apparatus (also referred to herein as a loader) may partially or entirely comprise transparent material that allows light to pass through the loader and provides the viewer (whether manual or automated) a view of a radioactive seed, a seed carrier, a loading needle, etc. within the loader. In some embodiments, carrier material (e.g., collagen and/or other biocompatible material) and radioactive seeds (e.g., including a metal shielding and radioactive isotope) may transmit light to different degrees. For example, certain carriers, such as collagen carriers, may be translucent, while seeds may be opaque (or mostly opaque) to light. The systems discussed herein allow a viewer to detect location of a seed within a loader, and even within a carrier, because of these different light transmissivity characteristics.