After-loader for positioning implants for needle delivery in brachytherapy and other radiation therapy
View Patent ↗In one embodiment an after-loader for providing an implant to a hollow needle, the after-loader comprising a body having a distal end including a bevel for receiving a hub of a seed lock needle, and a bore therethrough for receiving a hub of a MICK® needle; a proximal end having a funnel shaped opening; a shield adapted to be provided over the body; and wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to a shield. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of the invention.
1. An after-loader for providing an implant to a hollow needle, the after-loader comprising:
a body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end including a bevel and a bore;
wherein the bevel is adapted to receive a hub of a first type of brachytherapy needle and the bore is adapted to receive a hub of a second type of brachytherapy needle; and
a radiation shield adapted to be provided over at least a portion of the body; and
wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to the shield.
2. The after-loader of claim 1 , wherein:
the bore is a first bore; and
further comprising a second bore extending through the after-loader; and
wherein a portion of the second bore has an expanding funnel shape toward the proximal end.
3. The after-loader of claim 2 , wherein the second bore is narrower than the first bore.
4. The after-loader of claim 2 , wherein the second bore is adapted to receive a stylet.
5. The after-loader of claim 1 , wherein:
the bevel is adapted to receive a hub of a seed lock needle.
6. A system for positioning implants within a body of a patient, the system comprising:
a needle having a hub;
an afterloader including a body, the body having:
a distal end including a bevel and a first bore;
a proximal end; and
a second bore extending approximately from the proximal end to the first bore;
wherein the bevel and the first bore are selectable for receiving a hub of a needle; and
a stylet receivable within the second bore; and
a radiation shield adapted to be provided over at least a portion of the body; and
wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to the shield.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein a portion of the second bore has an expanding funnel shape toward the proximal end.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the second bore is narrower than the first bore.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein:
the bevel is adapted to receive a hub of a seed lock needle.
10. The system of claim 6 , wherein:
the stylet has a distal end and a proximal end;
the proximal end of the stylet includes a hub adapted to be gripped; and
the distal end of the stylet has sufficient length to extend in a distal direction through the needle and afterloader.
11. An after-loader for providing an implant to a hollow needle, the after-loader comprising:
a body having a distal end and a proximal end and a bore extending therebetween;
at least one implant stored in the bore;
wherein the distal end is configured to be mated to a hub of a hollow needle;
wherein the proximal end is configured to accept a stylet; and
a radiation shield adapted to be provided over at least a portion of the body; and
wherein the distal end further includes a taper along a portion of a distance from the distal end to the proximal end for providing a friction fit to the shield.
12. The after-loader of claim 11 , further comprising:
a pair of removable plugs to keep the at least one implant within the bore until the plugs are removed.