Methods for Using After-Loaders
After-loader devices, kits, and methods for using the same are provided. Such after-loader devices are useful for loading implants into hollow needles, especially after the needles are inserted into patient tissue. The after-loader devices can be pre-loaded with implants, before the after-loaders are connected to hubs of hollow needles, or loaded thereafter.
1 . A method for implanting an implant into patient tissue, the method comprising:
inserting a distal end of a hollow needle into patient tissue at a desired location and to a desired depth, the needle having a cylindrical needle hub at its proximal end;
connecting an after-loader device to the cylindrical needle hub of the hollow needle by inserting at least a portion of the cylindrical needle hub into a distal portion of a bore of the after-loader, such that the after-loader is rigidly connected to the cylindrical needle hub of the hollow needle without requiring additional support;
inserting a stylet into an opening at a proximal end of the after-loader device;
urging an implant from the after-loader device, through a lumen of the hollow needle, to a distal end of the hollow needle; and
retracting the hollow needle and the after-loader device, while the stylet is held in place, to thereby deposit the implant at the desired location and to the depth.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
loading the implant into the after-loader device, after the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle, but before the stylet is inserted into the after-loader device.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant was loaded into the after-loader device before the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
removing end plugs of the after-loader device, which maintain the implant within a bore of the after-loader device, prior to connecting the after-loader device to the hollow needle.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a treatment member that includes a plurality of radioactive sources spaced apart from one another.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a plurality of loose seeds and spacers.
7 . A method for implanting an implant into patient tissue, the method comprising:
inserting a distal end of a hollow needle into patient tissue at a desired location and to a desired depth, the needle having a cylindrical needle hub at its proximal end;
connecting an after-loader device to the cylindrical needle hub of the hollow needle by inserting at least a portion of the cylindrical needle hub into a proximal portion of a bore of the after-loader, such that the after-loader is rigidly connected to the cylindrical needle hub of the needle without requiring additional support;
inserting a stylet into an opening at a proximal end of the after-loader device;
urging an implant from the after-loader device, into a lumen of the hollow needle;
retracting the stylet from the after-loader;
removing the after-loader;
inserting a stylet into an opening at a distal end of the hollow needle;
urging the implant to a distal end of the hollow needle; and
retracting the hollow needle, while the stylet is held in place, to thereby deposit the implant at the desired location and to the depth.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
loading the implant into the after-loader device, after the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle, but before the stylet is inserted into the after-loader device.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the implant was loaded into the after-loader device before the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
removing end plugs of the after-loader device, which maintain the implant within a bore of the after-loader device, prior to connecting the after-loader device to the hollow needle.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a treatment member that includes a plurality of radioactive sources spaced apart from one another.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a plurality of seeds and spacers.
13 . A method for implanting an implant into patient tissue, the method comprising:
inserting a distal end of a hollow needle into patient tissue at a desired location and to a desired depth, the needle having a locking needle hub at its proximal end;
inserting a distal hollow shaft of an adaptor through the needle hub and into a proximal portion of a lumen of the hollow needle;
connecting an after-loader device to a proximal hollow shaft of the adaptor;
inserting a stylet into an opening at a proximal end of the after-loader device;
urging an implant from the after-loader device, through the adaptor, and through a lumen of the hollow needle, to a distal end of the hollow needle; and
retracting the hollow needle and the after-loader device, while the stylet is held in place, to thereby deposit the implant at the desired location and to the depth.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
loading the implant into the after-loader device, after the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle, but before the stylet is inserted into the after-loader device.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the implant was loaded into the after-loader device before the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle.
16 . A method for implanting an implant into patient tissue, the method comprising:
inserting a distal end of a hollow needle into patient tissue at a desired location and to a desired depth, the needle having a locking needle hub at its proximal end;
inserting a distal hollow shaft of an adaptor through the needle hub and into a proximal portion of a lumen of the hollow needle;
connecting an after-loader device to a proximal hollow shaft of the adaptor;
inserting a stylet into an opening at a proximal end of the after-loader device;
urging an implant from the after-loader device, through the adaptor, and into a lumen of the hollow needle;
retracting the stylet from the after-loader;
removing the after-loader and the adaptor;
inserting a stylet into an opening at a distal end of the hollow needle;
urging the implant to a distal end of the hollow needle; and
retracting the hollow needle, while the stylet is held in place, to thereby deposit the implant at the desired location and to the depth.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
loading the implant into the after-loader device, after the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle, but before the stylet is inserted into the after-loader device.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the implant was loaded into the after-loader device before the after-loader device is connected to the hollow needle.