Dual gynecological balloon packing system
View Patent ↗A gynecological balloon apparatus has a first balloon and a second balloon disposed with a gynecological brachytherapy applicator. The first and second balloons are each movable between an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The first and second balloons may conform to a shape of a vaginal cavity when in their inflated conditions. A radiation detecting sensor and a motion detecting sensor may be positioned with the apparatus.
1. A vaginal balloon apparatus for use with a separate brachytherapy applicator, comprising:
first and second balloons, each balloon comprising a first material welded to a second material to form said balloon, said first material being thicker or less elastic than said second material;
each balloon further comprising a lumen with a single passageway in fluid communication with said balloon and a valve on said lumen for introducing a fluid into said balloon through said single passageway;
each lumen further comprising an attachment clip having a first end groove sized to fit an outside diameter of said lumen, and a second end groove sized to fit either an outside diameter of a separate brachytherapy applicator or the outside diameter of the other lumen,
said first and second balloons being movable between a deflated condition and an inflated condition, wherein in said inflated condition said first material forms a flatter surface than said second material, and said second material conforms to the shape of a vaginal cavity.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a fiducial marker with at least one of said balloons or lumens.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , said fiducial marker being a radio-opaque material.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a motion detecting sensor positioned with a surface of said first balloon.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a radiation detecting sensor positioned with a surface of said first balloon.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , said radiation detecting sensor being a semiconductor type sensor.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , said radiation detecting sensor being a scintillating fiber optics type sensor.
8. A method of gynecological brachytherapy, comprising attaching the first and second balloons of any of claims 1 - 7 to a separate brachytherapy applicator via said attachment clips, inserting said brachytherapy applicator and said first and second balloons into a patient, inflating said first and second balloons and treating said patient with brachytherapy.