Patent ID: 8920300

Claim:
A surgical robotic intra-operative radiation therapy device comprising: a robotic device capable of surgical use having at least one robotic arm which can be manipulated remotely; for a patient having a surgical incision, an interchangeable capsule for irradiating said at least one tissue, said capsule for irradiating said at least one tissue and said incision being sized for said capsule to be insertable through said surgical incision; said capsule having an aperture opening which opens to an emission cavity internal to said capsule, said capsule having a shutter for alternately occluding and uncovering said aperture opening to said emission cavity, said robotic arm having a first means for robotic arm electrical communication and control; said device having a shuttle capsule holder mountable on said robotic arm, said shuttle capsule holder having a second means for electrical communication and control compatible for purposes of interchangeability with said capsule; said capsule being mountable on said shuttle capsule holder; said shuttle capsule holder having a third means for electrical communication and control compatible for purposes of interchangeability with said first means for robotic arm electrical communication and control; a means for positive attachment between said robotic arm and said shuttle capsule holder, said means for positive attachment being compatible for purposes of interchangeability with said shuttle capsule holder and said first and second means for electrical communication and control, and said means for positive attachment being potentially rendered flexible upon loss of power to enable withdrawal of said capsule from said patient if power is lost to said capsule; said emission cavity internal to said capsule and thereby interior to said aperture opening being sized to enable patient tissue to be exposed to radiation from a radioactive source; said capsule having shielding selected to attenuate radiation exterior to said capsule; and a remotely operable means for controlling said shutter; said shutter having a fail-safe closed position; and a general purpose computer for transmitting data to and from said capsule, said computer being programmed to provide logic, and to implement motion, timing, visualization, irradiation and position reporting functions for said device; and said intraoperative surgical device having said at least one remotely manipulatable robot arm cooperating with said capsule to move said aperture of said capsule adjacent to patient tissue to be irradiated, so that by operating said electromechanical control, said shutter can be opened to expose said patient tissue to said radiation source disposed within said capsule.