Urethral radiation treatment system and method
Provided herein is an applicator system and method for treating tissue via a body lumen. The applicator can include a graduated member having an anchor configured to position the graduated member in a predetermined relationship relative to an anatomical feature and at least one visualizable marker. The system can also include a visualization tool for locating a target tissue site relative to the at least one visualizable marker, and a treatment catheter having an anchor configured to correspond to the graduated member anchor.
1 . An applicator system for treating tissue via a body lumen, comprising:
a graduated member having an anchor configured to position the graduated member in a predetermined relationship relative to an anatomical feature, the graduated member further having at least one visualizable marking;
a visualization tool for locating a target tissue site relative to the graduated member; and
a treatment catheter having an anchor configured to correspond to the graduated member anchor.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a source of therapeutic rays disposed in the treatment catheter.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second graduated member disposable within or along with the treatment catheter and a second visualization tool for confirming the position of the treatment catheter by visualizing the second graduated member.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the visualization tool is a surgical scope configured to visualize the interior of the body lumen.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the graduated member is disposable alongside the surgical scope.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the graduated member is adapted to pass through a lumen of the surgical scope for deployment within a body lumen.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the anchor is biased in the expanded position.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one visualizable marking is a series of color-coded bands.
10 . An applicator system, comprising:
a graduated member having an anchor configured to establish a predetermined relationship between the graduated member and an anatomical feature, the graduated member further having one or more visualizable markings;
a visualization tool for locating a treatment site relative to the graduated member;
a treatment catheter; and
a second graduated member disposable within with the treatment catheter and a second visualization tool for confirming the position of the treatment catheter by visualizing the second graduated member.
11 . A method for treating tissue through a body lumen, comprising:
providing a graduated member having an anchor and visualizable markings;
positioning the anchor against an anatomical feature; and
mapping the location of a target tissue site relative to the visualizable markings to determine the relative position of the target tissue with respect to the anatomical feature.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of moving the graduated member through a lumen in a visualization device and into a body cavity.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of opening the anchor within the body cavity.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step removing the graduated member and positioning a treatment catheter.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein a source of therapeutic radiation is positioned within the treatment catheter.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the source of therapeutic radiation is selected from the group consisting of gamma/x-ray sources, bata sources, manmade ionizing radiation, and combinations thereof.