Using a guide member to facilitate brachytherapy device swap
View Patent ↗A guide member facilitates a device swap for brachytherapy treatment. A cavity evaluation device is introduced during surgery such that a distal end of the device is disposed in a resected cavity of the patient. The cavity evaluation device includes a shaft in which is disposed an elongated guide member. In a subsequent out-patient procedure the cavity evaluation device is removed from the resected cavity. If a brachytherapy treatment is to be performed then the cavity evaluation device is removed without removing the elongated guide member such that position of a portion of the elongated guide member in the resected cavity is maintained relative to the resected cavity. An anchor member helps to maintain the position of the guide member. Introduction of a brachytherapy catheter is then facilitated by introducing the elongated guide member into an opening of the brachytherapy catheter and using the elongated guide member to guide the brachytherapy catheter to the resected cavity.
1. A method for facilitating brachytherapy treatment comprising the steps of:
positioning a first device such that a distal end of the first device is disposed in a resected cavity of a patient, the first device including a shaft in which is disposed an elongated guide member such that positioning the first device simultaneously positions the elongated guide member, the elongated guide member being configured in which all but a distal end of the elongated guide member is configured to slide relative to the shaft within an interior of the first device, wherein the elongated guide member includes a guide wire and a non-inflatable anchor member at a distal end of the elongated guide member, wherein the non-inflatable anchor member has a curvature and wherein a surface tip of the shaft has an outer curvature that matches the non-inflatable anchor member curvature, and wherein the non-inflatable anchor member curvature is disposed against the surface tip outer curvature when loaded into the first device;
maintaining the non-inflatable anchor member without use of an inflatable device in a fixed position relative to tissue in the resected cavity;
removing the first device from the resected cavity without removing the elongated guide member such that the fixed position of a distal end of the elongated guide member in the resected cavity is maintained relative to the resected cavity; and
introducing the elongated guide member into an opening spanning a length of a brachytherapy catheter and using the elongated guide member to guide the brachytherapy catheter to the resected cavity by moving the brachytherapy catheter relative to the elongated guide member until the brachytherapy catheter envelops all but the distal end of the elongated guide member.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the first device includes inflating an inflatable member of the first device.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein removing the first device includes deflating the inflatable member.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of removing the first device without removing the guide member includes creating separation between the anchor member and the distal end of the first device.
5. The method of claim 4 including deploying at least a portion of the guide wire from a tubular opening or lumen of the first device.
6. The method of claim 5 including slidably moving the brachytherapy catheter along the guide wire to the extent that the catheter contacts the anchor member.
7. The method of claim 6 including inflating an inflatable member of the brachytherapy catheter after the catheter contacts the anchor member.
8. The method of claim 5 including introducing a free end of the guide member to a sheath and applying force against the free end of the guide member via a push wire.
9. The method of claim 4 wherein the opening is through a side of the brachytherapy catheter.
10. The method of claim 4 wherein the opening is through a most distal portion of the brachytherapy catheter.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-inflatable anchor curvature is substantially concave and wherein the surface tip outer curvature is substantially convex.
12. A system for facilitating and providing brachytherapy treatment, the system comprising:
a first device having:
a distal end disposed in a resected cavity of a patient;
a shaft having an opening within the interior of the first device spanning a length of the first device;
an inflatable member configured to position the first device within the resected cavity when inflated; and
an elongated guide member having a length and a non-inflatable anchor member at a distal end of the guide member, the guide member configured such that all but a distal end of the elongated guide member slide in the opening of the shaft of the first device, the non-inflatable anchor member has a curvature and wherein a surface tip of the shaft has an outer curvature that matches the non-inflatable anchor member curvature, and wherein the non-inflatable anchor member curvature is disposed against the surface tip outer curvature when loaded into the first device, and wherein the non-inflatable anchor member is configured to maintain a fixed position of the distal end of the guide member relative to tissue in the resected cavity without use of an inflatable device even when the elongated guide member is decoupled from the first device; and
a second device separate from the first device, the second device comprising a brachytherapy treatment device comprising a shaft; an inflatable member disposed around the shaft; at least one dosing lumen configured to receive a radiation treatment for brachytherapy treatment; and an opening in the second device spanning a length of the second device and configured to receive the elongated guide member therethrough when the anchor member of the elongated guide member is maintained in the fixed position such that the second device envelops all but the anchor member of the elongated guide member.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the non-inflatable anchor curvature is substantially concave and wherein the surface tip outer curvature is substantially convex.