Brachytherapy device and method
US7182726B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/1021
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method of applying low dose, localized radiotherapy which is effective to reduce or eliminate the formation of post-operative scar tissue at surgical sites, such as an epidural site after spinal surgery. In an exemplary embodiment, a device is implantable before closing a surgical site as a barrier, the device being designed to deliver a desired therapeutic amount of energy to particular tissue. The device can be a barrier layer, seed containment unit, radiospike, or catheter. The energy may be provided by the material of the device itself, or may be provided by an external source, such as by circulating radioactive fluid through the device itself. Various embodiments include additional components of the device which deliver drug or chemical agents to targeted tissue and/or shield components to prevent dosage to non-targeted tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.