Patent · US Expired

Micro-endoscope assembly for intraductal brachytherapy of a mammary duct and method of using same

US6652442B2 · kind B2 · utility

70Cited by
9References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 23, 2002
Grant dateNov 25, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2005/1011
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention is directed toward a micro-endoscope assembly for intraductal brachytherapy comprising a cylindrical guide tube with a distal end defining an internal cylindrical passageway, a first smaller cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in the cylindrical passageway of a smaller diameter than said tube internal cylindrical passageway to receive and guide an endoscope, the smaller cylindrical tube forming together with an inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide tube a second passageway. A energy transmitting cartridge is mounted in the second passageway. The assembly is inserted into a mammary duct and the interior of the duct is viewed until the abnormality to be treated is determined in the duct. The container is deposited adjacent the abnormal tissue area in the duct and left in place to produce localized radiation or other forms of energy.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.