Expandable medical devices with reinforced elastomeric members and methods employing the same
Expandable devices for placement within a patient comprising an elastomeric member in contact with at least one fiber that provide non-differential expansion. Brachytherapy apparatus and methods for performing brachytherapy employing expandable devices comprising an elastomeric member in contact with at least one fiber that provide non-differential expansion.
1 . An expandable device for placement within a patient, comprising: an elastomeric member and at least one fiber in contact with said elastomeric member, wherein said fiber forms a pattern and is oriented in at least two directions within said pattern.
2 . The expandable device of claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric member has a round, square, rectangular, or oval profile configuration.
3 . The expandable device of claim 1 , wherein said expandable device comprises a plurality of fibers.
4 . The expandable device of claim 1 , wherein said pattern is regularly-spaced.
5 . The expandable device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one fiber is located inside of, outside of, or within said elastomeric member.
6 . The expandable device of claim 1 , wherein said expandable device comprises a plurality of regularly-spaced fibers in contact with said elastomeric member and running in perpendicular directions.
7 . A brachytherapy apparatus for delivering radioactive emissions to mammalian tissue, comprising:
(a) an elastomeric member for placement within a patient and at least one fiber in contact with said elastomeric member;
(b) a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a spatial volume at said distal end, wherein said spatial volume is defined by said elastomeric member; and
(c) a radiation source position disposed in said spatial volume.
8 . The brachytherapy apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said at least one fiber forms a pattern and is oriented in at least two directions within said pattern.
9 . The brachytherapy apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said elastomeric member has a round, square, rectangular, or oval profile configuration.
10 . The brachytherapy apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said expandable device comprises a plurality of fibers.
11 . The brachytherapy apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said at least one fiber forms a regularly-spaced pattern and is oriented in at least two directions within said pattern.
12 . The brachytherapy apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said at least one fiber is located inside of, outside of, or within said elastomeric member.
13 . The brachytherapy apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said expandable device comprises a plurality of regularly-spaced fibers in contact with said elastomeric member and running in perpendicular directions.
14 . A method for performing a brachytherapy procedure on a patient, comprising:
inserting into the patient in need of brachytherapy a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a spatial volume at said distal end, wherein said spatial volume is defined by an elastomeric member and at least one fiber in contact with said elastomeric member;
inflating or expanding said elastomeric member;
inserting a radiation source in said spatial volume of said catheter; and
removing said radiation source and said catheter from said patient.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one fiber forms a pattern and is oriented in at least two directions within said pattern.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said elastomeric member has a round, square, rectangular, or oval profile configuration.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said expandable device comprises a plurality of fibers.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one fiber forms a regularly-spaced pattern and is oriented in at least two directions within said pattern.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one fiber is located inside of, outside of, or within said elastomeric member.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said expandable device comprises a plurality of regularly-spaced fibers in contact with said elastomeric member and running in perpendicular directions.