Patent ID: 7306557

Claim:
Device for image guided automated insertion of an elongated hollow needle to a desired location in an animal body for effecting radiation therapy of cancerous tissue in said body comprising: needle positioning means for positioning said needle having a distal end and a proximal end relative to said desired location; needle drive means for driving said needle with its distal end towards said desired location; and real time imaging means for creating and presenting an image of said desired location and the position of the distal end of said needle during insertion of said needle; wherein the device is arranged for performing subsequent insertions using only one single needle, wherein the needle drive means are arranged for retracting said single needle from said desired location until the distal end of said needle arrives at a pivoting point, and wherein said needle positioning means are arranged for repositioning said single needle relative to a subsequent desired location prior to a subsequent insertion by pivoting said needle around said pivoting point while said distal end of said needle is maintained in the pivoting point.