Patent ID: 6652442
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A micro-endoscope assembly for intraductal brachytherapy of a mammary duct comprising a cylindrical guide tube having a diameter ranging from 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm defining an internal passageway, a relatively smaller cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in said cylindrical passageway of a diameter smaller than said tube internal cylindrical passageway to receive and guide an endoscope assembly, said smaller cylindrical tube forming together with an inner wall surface of said cylindrical guide tube at least a second passageway, an endoscope mounted in said smaller cylindrical tube, a plunger member movably mounted within said second passageway adapted to move a cartridge treated to produce localized radiation adjacent tissue which is to be treated in said mammary duct; wherein said cartridge has a body which is constructed of compressed dry polyvinyl acetal with an absorption rate of at least 20 times the weight of the material.