Endoscopic/percutaneous electronic radiation applicator and delivery system
Treatment of lesions in any luminal or organ system of mammalian anatomy is performed using an electronic source of ionizing radiation and aided by an endoscopic or percutaneous approach.
1 . A system for delivering brachytherapy radiation internally to a patient, comprising:
an endoscope capable of insertion into a patient to position a distal end of the endoscope in a cavity or space within the patient's body adjacent to a lesion, tumor or other anomaly to be treated by irradiation, the endoscope having provision for an operator to visualize placement of the distal end of the endoscope,
the endoscope having a channel for receiving a catheter to extend through the endoscope and essentially beyond the distal end of the endoscope,
a catheter having at its distal end an electronic x-ray source which is controllable as to voltage and thus x-ray penetration depth, the catheter being of a size to fit through the channel of the endoscope, and
a controller in communication with the x-ray source,
whereby the endoscope can be inserted into the patient such that its distal end is within the patient's body adjacent to a lesion, tumor or other anomaly, and the catheter can be extended through the endoscope such that the x-ray source extends beyond the end of the endoscope in position to irradiate the anomaly, and radiation from the x-ray source can be controlled on/or and as to depth of penetration by the operator or the controller until substantially a desired dose of radiation has been delivered to the anomaly.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further including a momentary switch in a convenient position for use by the operator, the switch being connected to the controller or the x-ray source to switch power on to the x-ray source when desired.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the endoscope includes a light source at its distal end for illuminating a path for insertion of the endoscope and for illuminating a patient's tissue to be irradiated.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the endoscope further includes a suction channel, and including suctioning out liquid adjacent to the anomaly prior to irradiating.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the catheter further includes a suction channel, and including suctioning out liquid adjacent to the anomaly prior to irradiating.
6 . The system of claim 2 , further including flushing the site of the anomaly through the endoscope prior to suctioning.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the catheter and x-ray tube are connected to a power supply and a processor, the processor having an input device and including the operator's entry of data relating to the desired irradiation of the patient's anomaly, with the processor calculating a treatment plan including voltage settings and time duration of irradiation, such that when the electronic x-ray tube is switched on the voltage and duration of irradiation are controlled by the power supply and the processor.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic x-ray source in the catheter is capable of emitting radiation in different selected rotational positions, whereby the emitted field of radiation from the x-ray tube can be rotated as a patient is treated.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said provision on the endoscope for an operator to visualize placement includes a camera at the distal end of the endoscope, and a monitor within view of an operator, the monitor being connected to the camera to provide a live image of the patient's tissue and the anomaly as the patient is treated.
10 . The system of claim 9 , including a light source on the distal end of the endoscope for illuminating the patient's tissue.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said wherein said provision on the endoscope for an operator to visualize placement includes a coherent fiber optic bundle extending through the endoscope.
12 . The system of claim 11 , including a light source on the distal end of the endoscope for illuminating the patient's tissue.
13 . A system for delivering brachytherapy radiation internally to a patient, comprising:
an electronic x-ray source at the distal end of the endoscope, the x-ray source being controllable as to voltage and thus x-ray penetration depth, and
a controller in communication with the x-ray source.
14 . The system of claim 13 , further including a momentary switch in a convenient position for use by the operator, the switch being connected to the controller or the x-ray source to switch power on to the x-ray source when desired.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the endoscope includes a light source at its distal end for illuminating a path for insertion of the endoscope and for illuminating a patient's tissue to be irradiated.
16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the catheter and x-ray tube are connected to a power supply and a processor, the processor having an input device and for an operator's entry of data relating to the desired irradiation of the patient's anomaly, with the processor having means for calculating a treatment plan including voltage settings and time duration of irradiation, such that when the electronic x-ray tube is switched on the voltage and duration of irradiation are controlled by the power supply and the processor.
17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the endoscope includes a coherent fiber optic bundle for viewing tissue through the endoscope.
18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the endoscope includes a camera at its distal end.