NU 2022-153
INVENTORS Shuhua Zheng* Jonathan Strauss Eric Donnelly Jooyoung Sohn
SHORT DESCRIPTION A new and improved brachytherapy applicator for treating patients with gynecological cancers. This advanced device allows for precise, visualized placement of interstitial implants to improve therapeutic outcomes.
ABSTRACT Gynecologic cancers, particularly cervical and endometrial cancers, represent significant threats to women's health worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of cases diagnosed annually. Radiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of these malignancies. Traditional brachytherapy, especially intracavitary cylinder brachytherapy, involves placing an applicator through the cervix into the endometrial canal. While this method enables the delivery of high radiation doses to the target, minimizing exposure to adjacent tissues, it falls short in treating bulky lesions, post-hysterectomy cases, lower vaginal lesions, and tumors extending laterally to the parametria or pelvic sidewalls. Our innovative applicator transforms interstitial brachytherapy with its cylindrical design, incorporating a central channel for direct visualization and multiple adjustable channels for flexible source placement. This design addresses the challenges of bulky lesions, post-hysterectomy cases, and laterally-extended tumors, offering a tailored, high-dose radiation delivery with maximal tissue preservation.
APPLICATIONS • Tailored interstitial brachytherapy for treating gynecological cancers
ADVANTAGES • Precise targeting of cancerous tissue ensures effective brachytherapy • Reduces patient discomfort and risk of procedural complications • Improves the consistency and safety of brachytherapy procedures • Suitable for use under local anesthesia, enhancing patient accessibility and comfort
PUBLICATION None
IP STATUS PCT application has been filed
Pictorial schematic showing some improved features of the new brachytherapy device.