Patent ID: 8409070
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for brachytherapy treatment in a human lung, following resection of lung tissue, comprising: extending an applicator through the skin and visceral and the parietal pleura into the lung tissue and into a resection cavity, said applicator having an inflatable balloon at its distal end, the applicator having a shaft supporting the balloon, and defining an internal channel adapted to receive a catheter carrying a source of ionizing radiation near the distal end of the catheter, and the shaft including at a proximal end a hub through which the catheter can be inserted, and the hub including provision for inflating the balloon through the shaft, inflating the balloon within the resection cavity, irradiating tissue within the lung and adjacent to the resection cavity using the source carried by the catheter within the inflated balloon; following the step of irradiating tissue within the lung, deflating the balloon, withdrawing the applicator, and stitching or otherwise closing up any visceral and parietal pleura openings leading to the resection cavity and the skin; wherein the shaft includes a suction channel positioned to communicate via a suction circuit with a pleural cavity of the patient, to drain or evacuate fluid; wherein the applicator is partially withdrawn, followed by piercing or cutting a port in the suction channel.