Patent ID: 8092370

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 to a cavity internal to said capsule, said capsule having a shutter for alternately occluding and uncovering said aperture opening to said cavity, and said capsule being mountable on said robotic arm; said robotic arm having a first means for robotic arm electrical communication and control; said capsule having a second means for electrical communication and control compatible for purposes of interchangeability with said means for robotic arm electrical communication and control; a means for positive attachment between said robotic arm and said capsule, said means for positive attachment being compatible for purposes of interchangeability with said robotic arm and said first and second means for electrical communication and control; said cavity internal to said capsule and thereby interior to said aperture being sized to contain a radioactive source for irradiating patient tissue; 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; 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 a radiation source disposed within said capsule.