Patent ID: 7727137
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for brachytherapy radiation treatment of tissue beneath the skin of a patient, including for accessing and re-accessing a target site beneath the skin, comprising: identifying a cavity within a patient, beneath the skin of the patient, defining a path through the skin to the cavity, including making an incision if the skin is closed along the path, inserting an applicator through the skin along said path, the applicator having a sheath for extending from the skin to the cavity, and the sheath having two modes, a receded mode in which the sheath is stored under the skin and an extended mode in which the sheath extends through the skin to the exterior of the patient while still reaching the cavity, the applicator including a lumen in the sheath adapted to receive a catheter or shaft carrying at its distal end a source of radiation, following implantation of the applicator under the skin, either after a first brachytherapy radiation application using the applicator or prior to any such brachytherapy application, closing the skin over the receded applicator sheath, at a later time, after the skin has been closed, re-accessing the sheath of the applicator by (a) opening the skin, (b) accessing a proximal end of the sheath and causing the sheath to extend out through the skin to the extended mode so that the proximal end of the sheath protrudes out from the skin, (c) opening the proximal end of the sheath, (d) inserting a catheter or shaft with a radiation source into the sheath so that the source enters the cavity, (e) irradiating target tissue from the applicator within the cavity, and (f) returning the sheath to the receded mode and re-closing the skin, if further, later treatments are needed, and repeating steps (a) through (f) for further treatments as needed and in accordance with a radiation prescription, except in a final treatment repeating steps (a) through (e) and subsequently removing the applicator after all treatments have been completed.