Patent ID: 8517907

Claim:
A brachytherapy treatment apparatus, comprising: an elongate core member comprising a proximal end and a distal end configured for introduction into a tract through tissue, the proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis; a distal hub coupled to the distal end of the core member; a proximal hub on the proximal end of the core member, at least one of the proximal hub and the distal hub movable axially relative to the other of the proximal hub and the distal hub; a plurality of elongate members coupled to the proximal and distal hubs and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the core member, the elongate members movable from a collapsed configuration extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, and an expanded configuration when the proximal hub is directed distally relative to the distal hub, the elongate members comprising pathways for receiving a source of radiation therealong; tubular extensions extending proximally from the proximal hub and communicating with respective pathways for directing a source of radiation into the elongate members; and a release mechanism distal to proximal ends of the tubular extensions on at least one of the proximal hub and the core member adjacent the proximal hub for irreversibly disengaging the proximal hub from the core member to allow rapid collapse of the elongate members from the expanded configuration.