U.S. patent application number 11/737028 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for expandable brachytherapy device with constant radiation source spacing.
This patent application is currently assigned to North American Scientific, Inc.. Invention is credited to L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Fredrick Winch, Joe Wong.
Application Number | 20080108859 11/737028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39584957 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080108859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cutrer; L. Michael ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE WITH CONSTANT RADIATION SOURCE
SPACING
Abstract
A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an
expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and
configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a
movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to
expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator
between certain positions while maintaining a substantially
constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.
Inventors: |
Cutrer; L. Michael;
(Chatsworth, CA) ; Terwilliger; Richard A.;
(Venice, CA) ; Wong; Joe; (South Pasadena, CA)
; Winch; Fredrick; (Snohomish, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP;Suite 3400
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
North American Scientific,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39584957 |
Appl. No.: |
11/737028 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60882391 |
Dec 28, 2006 |
|
|
|
60864288 |
Nov 3, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 2005/1018 20130101;
A61N 5/1015 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/7 |
International
Class: |
A61M 36/12 20060101
A61M036/12 |
Claims
1. A brachytherapy device comprising: an expandable outer cage; an
expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and
configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter; a
movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to
expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator
between certain positions while maintaining a substantially
constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages; a
handle in which the movable actuator moves; and a rod running
through the outer and inner cages that is attached to the handle at
a distal end.
2. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein the movable actuator
is configured to cause the outer cage to expand but not the inner
cage during movement of the actuator between certain other
positions.
3. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein the movable actuator
is configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand in a
direction perpendicular to the movement of the actuator.
4. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 further comprising a ring
that is rotatable about an axis and that is configured to cause the
movable actuator to traverse the axis when the ring is rotated.
5. The brachytherapy device of claim 4 wherein the movable actuator
and the rotatable ring have threads that mesh.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein the outer and inner
cages each include a plurality of tubes, wherein each of the tubes
and the rod have a proximal end, and wherein the proximal end of
all of the tubes and the rod are affixed to one another.
9. The brachytherapy device of claim 8 wherein each of the tubes
has a distal end and wherein the actuator is configured to engage
the distal ends of the tubes.
10. The brachytherapy device of claim 8 wherein the actuator is
configured to apply longitudinal compressive force to the distal
ends of the tubes.
11. The brachytherapy device of claim 9 wherein the outer and inner
cages are configured to collapse into a rod-like shape when the
distal ends of the tubes are not engaged by the actuator.
12. The brachytherapy device of claim 1 wherein the inner cage is
comprised of hollow tubes, each of which are configured to receive
radioactive material at different locations therein.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. A brachytherapy device comprising: an expandable outer cage; an
expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and
configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter; and a
rotatable actuation mechanism configured to cause the outer and
inner cages to expand in response to rotations of the rotatable
actuator between certain positions.
17. The brachytherapy device of claim 13 wherein the expandable
inner cage is comprised of hollow tubes, each configured to receive
radioactive material at different locations therein.
18. The brachytherapy device of claim 13 wherein the outer and
inner cages are configured to collapsed into a rod-like shape when
not expanded by rotation of the rotatable actuation mechanism.
19. The brachytherapy device of claim 13 wherein rotation of the
rotatable actuation mechanism between certain other positions
causes the outer cage to expand but not the inner cage.
20. The brachytherapy device of claim 13 wherein the rotatable
actuation mechanism includes a ring and an actuator.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/882,391, entitled
"EXPANDABLE BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE WITH CONSTANT RADIATION SOURCE
SPACING," filed Dec. 28, 2006, attorney docket no. 63344-048, the
entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/864,288, entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE
HAVING SEED TUBES WITH INDIVIDUALLY-SETTABLE TISSUE SPACINGS,"
filed Nov. 3, 2006, attorney docket no. 63344-045. This application
is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/305,437,
entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS," filed Dec. 16, 2005, attorney
docket no. 63344-021, and 11/379,739, entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY
APPARATUS FOR ASYMMETRICAL CAVITIES," filed Apr. 21, 2006, attorney
docket no. 63344-023. The entire content of all three of these
applications is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field
[0004] This application relates to brachytherapy.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Brachytherapy applies radiation to tissue by placing the
source of radiation close to the tissue. Oftentimes, a high dose of
radiation is needed. However, it may be difficult to apply a high
dose to areas in need of treatment using brachytherapy, without
also causing damage to healthy tissue in the vicinity.
[0007] One approach to addressing this difficulty is to utilize
seed tubes with individually-settable tissue spacings, as described
in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/864,288, entitled
"BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE HAVING SEED TUBES WITH INDIVIDUALLY-SETTABLE
TISSUE SPACINGS," filed Nov. 3, 2006, attorney docket number
63344-045. The technician may individually set the separation
distance between each seed tube that carries a radiation seed and
the wall of the cavity in which it is placed.
[0008] Expertise may be required to ascertain and set the desired
spacings in such a device. The use of different spacings, moreover,
may complicate the process of creating and implementing an
effective treatment regimen.
SUMMARY
[0009] A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage,
an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and
configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a
movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to
expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator
between certain positions while maintaining a substantially
constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.
[0010] The movable actuator may be configured to cause the outer
cage to expand but not the inner cage during movement of the
actuator between certain other positions.
[0011] The movable actuator may be configured to cause the outer
and inner cages to expand in a direction perpendicular to the
movement of the actuator.
[0012] The brachytherapy device may include a ring that is
rotatable about an axis and that is configured to cause the movable
actuator to traverse the axis when the ring is rotated. The movable
actuator and the rotatable ring may have threads that mesh.
[0013] The brachytherapy device may include a handle in which the
movable actuator moves. The brachytherapy device may include a rod
running through the outer and inner cages that is attached to the
handle at a distal end.
[0014] The outer and inner cages may each include a plurality of
tubes. Each of the tubes and the rod may have a proximal end. The
proximal end of all of the tubes and the rod may be affixed to one
another. Each of the tubes may have a distal end and the actuator
may be configured to engage the distal ends of the tubes. The
actuator may be configured to apply longitudinal compressive force
to the distal ends of the tubes. The outer and inner cages may be
configured to collapse into a rod-like shape when the distal ends
of the tubes are not engaged by the actuator.
[0015] The inner cage may include hollow tubes, each of which may
be configured to receive radioactive material at different
locations therein.
[0016] A brachytherapy device may include a plurality of flexible
outer tubes, each having a first length and a distal end. The
device may include a plurality of flexible inner tubes positioned
within a volume defined by the outer tubes, each having a second
length different from the first length, each being configured to
receive radioactive material, and each having a distal end. The
device may include a movable actuator configured to engage the
distal ends of the outer and the inner tubes.
[0017] The distal ends of the outer tubes may lie in a first plane
and the distal ends of the inner tubes may lie in a second plane.
The first and the second planes may be parallel and separated from
one another.
[0018] A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage,
an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and
configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a
rotatable actuation mechanism configured to cause the outer and
inner cages to expand in response to rotation of the rotatable
actuator between certain positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The drawings disclose illustrative embodiments. They do not
set forth all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in
addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary
may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration.
When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it is intended
to refer to the same or like components or steps.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a brachytherapy device in a fully
collapsed position.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates the brachytherapy device illustrated in
FIG. 1 after an outer cage has been partially expanded.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates the expanded outer cage of the
brachytherapy device illustrated in FIG. 2 and an inner cage that
is still fully collapsed.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates the brachytherapy device illustrated in
FIG. 1 after both the outer cage and the inner cage have been
expanded.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates the expanded outer and inner cages of the
brachytherapy device illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of components in the
brachytherapy device illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the tubes illustrated in FIG. 1
in a collapsed state.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the handle of the brachytherapy
device illustrated in FIG. 1 while in the position shown in FIG.
1.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the handle of the brachytherapy
device illustrated in FIG. 1 while in the position shown in FIG.
2.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross-section of the handle of the
brachytherapy device illustrated in FIG. 1 while in the position
shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Illustrative embodiments are now discussed. Other
embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be
apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for a more
effective presentation.
[0031] Brachytherapy devices may be used to treat cancerous tissue.
Examples of such devices and ways in which they may be used are set
forth in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/864,288, entitled
"BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE HAVING SEED TUBES WITH INDIVIDUALLY-SETTABLE
TISSUE SPACINGS," filed Nov. 3, 2006, attorney docket number
63344-045, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference. Except for differences described in this provisional
application, the brachytherapy devices and associated apparatus
that are described in the aforementioned provisional patent
application, and the ways in which they may be used, may be used in
whole or in part in connection with the devices that are described
in this application.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a brachytherapy device in a fully
collapsed position. As shown in FIG. 1, the brachytherapy device
may include tubes 101 positioned around a central rod 103 and
attached to a handle 105 that may include a handle end cap 107 and
a handle front cap 109. A rotatable ring 111 and an actuator cap
113 may be included. The tubes 101 and the central rod 103 may be
attached to one another at a proximal end 115 of the tubes 101 and
the central rod 103.
[0033] The brachytherapy device illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used
in many ways. For example, a tumor may be removed from a breast of
a patient. The distance between the surface of the breast and the
entryway to the cavity may be measured. A sleeve having a length
approximately equal to this measurement may be inserted through an
incision in the breast until it reaches the entryway to the cavity.
The sleeve may include an external flange that may be sutured to
the skin of the breast. Details about illustrative apparatuses and
processes that may be used are described in United States
Provisional Patent Application entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE
HAVING SEED TUBES WITH INDIVIDUALLY-SETTABLE TISSUE SPACINGS," Ser.
No. 60/864,288, filed Nov. 3, 2006, attorney docket number
63344-045, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0034] The proximal end 115 of the collapsed brachytherapy device
may be inserted into the sleeve until the proximal end 115 passes
through the entryway to the cavity and comes into contact with the
opposite wall of the cavity.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates the brachytherapy device illustrated in
FIG. 1 after an outer cage has been partially expanded. To expand
into this position, the rotatable ring 111 may have been rotated
with respect to the handle 105. This may have caused an actuator
202 to traverse the rotational axis of the rotatable ring 111, as
illustrated in FIG. 2. The translation of the actuator 202, in
turn, may have caused the actuator 202 to have compressed outer
tubes 201 of the tubes 101, thus causing them to bow, as
illustrated in FIG. 2. Details of mechanisms that may cause this
compression are described below in connection with FIGS. 8-10.
[0036] As discussed above, the tubes 101 of the brachytherapy
device may be within a sleeve that has been inserted into the
breast. As also explained above, the tubes 101 may protrude beyond
the sleeve at the entryway to the cavity until their proximal end
115 reaches the other wall of the cavity. In this configuration,
only the portion of the tubes that lie within the cavity are free
to bow. This explains why only the proximal portion of the outer
tubes 201 are shown as bowed in FIG. 2.
[0037] As partially illustrated in FIG. 2, inner tubes 203 defining
an inner cage may be contained within the volume defined by the
outer tubes 201 and may remain uncompressed by the actuator 202 at
this point and thus in an unbowed and collapsed state.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates the expanded outer cage of the
brachytherapy device illustrated in FIG. 2 and the inner cage that
is still fully collapsed.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates the brachytherapy device illustrated in
FIG. 1 after both the outer cage and the inner cage have been
expanded. To expand into this position, the rotatable ring 111 may
have been rotated further. This may have continued to cause the
actuator 202 to traverse the rotation axis of the rotatable ring
111, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As the actuator 202 continued to
traverse, it may have continued to compress the outer tubes 201,
thus causing them to bow further. The actuator 202 may also have
begun to compress the inner tubes 203, thus causing the inner tubes
203 to also bow, as also illustrated in FIG. 4. Once the rotatable
ring 111 is rotated to a point that causes the actuator 202 to
begin to compress the inner tubes 203, the inner tubes may bow in
substantial unison with the outer tubes 201. Again, details of
mechanisms that may cause this compression are described below in
connection with FIGS. 8-10.
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates the expanded outer and inner cages of the
brachytherapy device as shown in FIG. 4.
[0041] The rotatable ring 111 may continue to be rotated until the
cage defined by the outer tubes 201 fills the cavity within the
breast to a desired degree, such as until the outer cage
substantially fills the cavity.
[0042] The degree to which the outer cage defined by the outer
tubes 201 is expanded may vary to match different size breast
cavities. However, the spacing between the inner tubes 203 and the
outer tubes 201 and thus the surface of the cavity may remain
substantially constant, notwithstanding these difference in
expansion. The phrase "substantially constant" is intended to take
into consideration small changes in the separation distance that
may occur due to the geometries of the arrangement.
[0043] As should now be apparent, both the outer cage and the inner
cage may be expanded to needed positions merely by the rotation of
a single component, namely in this embodiment, the rotatable ring
111.
[0044] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of components of the
brachytherapy device illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. As shown in FIG. 6,
the actuator 202 may include threads 601 configured to mate with
corresponding threads 604 in the rotatable ring 111. The actuator
202 may include tabs 603 and 605 that may engage corresponding
slots in the handle 105. For example, the tab 605 may engage a slot
607 in the handle 105. A retaining ring 609 may also be attached to
the handle 105 so as to insure that the actuator 202 is retained
within the handle 105.
[0045] The net effect of the components that have thus-far been
described in connection with FIG. 6 may be to cause the actuator
202 to traverse the rotational axis of the rotatable ring 111 as
the rotatable ring 111 is rotated. Rotation of the rotatable ring
111 may pull on the threads 601 on the actuator 202, while the tabs
603 and 605 and their corresponding slots in the handle 105 may
prevent the actuator 202 from also rotating, thus causing the
actuator 202 to traverse the rotation axis of the rotatable ring
111.
[0046] As also shown in FIG. 6, the outer tubes 201 may have a
length that is shorter than the inner tubes 203. Similarly, the
inner tubes 203 may have a length that is shorter than the central
rod 103.
[0047] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the tubes illustrated in FIG. 1
in a collapsed state. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer tubes 201 may
define an interior volume in which the inner tubes 203 reside.
Similarly, the inner tubes 203 may define an interior volume in
which the central rod 103 resides. As also illustrated in FIG. 7,
each of the inner tubes 203 and each of the outer tubes 201 may be
hollow. In an alternate embodiment, one or more of the inner and/or
the outer tubes 201 may not be hollow.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the handle of the brachytherapy
device illustrated in FIG. 1 while in the position shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 8, a screw 801 may secure a distal end 803 of the
central rod 103 to the handle end cap 107.
[0049] While in the position shown in FIG. 8, the actuator 202 may
not apply any pressure to distal ends 811 of the outer tubes 201 or
to distal ends 807 of the inner tubes 203, thus allowing the outer
tubes 201 and the inner tubes 203 to be in the completely collapsed
position illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0050] FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the handle of the brachytherapy
device illustrated in FIG. 1 while in the position shown in FIG. 2.
In order to have gotten into the position illustrated in FIG. 9,
the rotatable ring 111 may have been rotated, thus causing the
actuator 202 to have traversed the rotational axis of the rotatable
ring 111, as illustrated in FIG. 9. As it began this traverse, an
annular surface 901 within the interior of the actuator 202 may
have engaged the distal ends 811 of the outer tubes 201, thus
applying longitudinal compressive force on the outer tubes 201 with
respect to the central rod 103 whose distal end 803 may be attached
to the handle end cap 107 by the screw 801. This longitudinal
compression may have caused the length of the outer tubes 201 that
protrudes beyond the sleeve (see discussion above) to bow, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the actuator 202 may have a second
annular surface 805 on its interior which may initially be
longitudinally separated from the distal ends 807 of the inner
tubes 203. Thus, longitudinal pressure may not be asserted by the
second annular surface 805 against the distal ends 807 of the inner
tubes 203 during the initial portion of the traverse of the
actuator 202.
[0052] Once the rotatable ring 111 is rotated by a certain amount,
the gap 809 between the second annular surface 805 and the distal
ends 807 of the inner tubes 203 may close, thus causing the second
annular surface 805 to engage the distal ends 807 of the inner
tubes 203, as illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0053] FIG. 10 is a cross-section of the handle of the
brachytherapy device illustrated in FIG. 1 while in the position
shown in FIG. 4. As the rotatable ring 111 continues to be rotated
past the point shown in FIG. 9, the actuator 202 may apply
longitudinal compressive force simultaneously to both the outer
tubes 201 and the inner tubes 203 by virtue of force being applied
by the annular surface 901 to the distal ends of the outer tubes
201 and by the second annular surface 805 to the distal ends 807 of
the inner tubes 203. This may cause the outer tubes 201 and the
inner tubes 203 to bow in unison. In turn, this may cause the
distance between the outer tubes 201 and the inner tubes 203 to
remain substantially constant, notwithstanding continued bowing of
the outer tubes 201 and the inner tubes 203.
[0054] The rotatable ring 111 may continue to be rotated until the
cage defined by the outer tubes 201 expands to the desired amount
or until the actuator 202 is prevented from traversing any further
through the rotational axis of the rotatable ring 111 by the front
cap 109.
[0055] After the outer tubes 201 have been expanded to the desired
or maximum amount, the shaft of the tubes 101 at the entryway to
the handle 105 may be clamped, the handle 105 may be detached from
the tubes 101 by cutting the tubes 101 between the clamp and the
handle 105, and one or more radiation sources, such as one or more
radioactive seeds, may be inserted into the hollow interior of one
or more of the inner tubes 203 and/or the outer tubes 201 in
accordance with a treatment plan. Examples of apparatuses and
related processes that may be used in connection with these steps
are described in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/864,288,
entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE HAVING SEED TUBES WITH
INDIVIDUALLY-SETTABLE TISSUE SPACINGS," filed Nov. 3, 2006,
attorney docket number 63344-045, the entire content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0056] The components, steps, features, objects, benefits and
advantages that have been discussed are merely illustrative. None
of them, nor the discussions relating to them, are intended to
limit the scope of protection in any way. Numerous other
embodiments are also contemplated, including embodiments that have
fewer, additional, and/or different components, steps, features,
objects, benefits and advantages. The components and steps may also
be arranged and ordered differently.
[0057] For example, a fluid barrier, such as an expandable sheath,
may be placed around the tubes 101 so as to prevent fluid from
filling the cage defined by the outer tubes 201 both before and
after they are expanded. The interior of this fluid barrier may be
filled with air or fluid from an external source. For example, the
central rod 103 may have a lumen through which fluid may be
delivered from outside of the breast. The fluid may flow into the
interior of the fluid barrier through one or more holes in the
proximal end of the central rod 103 (not shown).
[0058] Although the annular surfaces 805 and 901 have thus-far been
illustrated as being in separate planes, these two surfaces could
instead be replaced by a single annual surface. In this embodiment,
the differential in the lengths of the outer tubes 201 and the
inner tubes 203 may be increased to compensate. Conversely, the
lengths of the outer tubes 201 and the inner tubes 203 may be the
same, while the annular surfaces 805 and 901 may be separated by a
greater distance to compensate.
[0059] The amount of the substantially constant spacing between the
outer tubes 201 and the inner tubes 203 may be varied by a variety
of means. For example, different tube sets may be provided, each
with a different distance between the distal ends of the outer
tubes 201 and the inner tubes 203. The technician may select the
tube set that will provide the desired separation distance.
Similarly, different handles may be provided which have different
longitudinal spacings between the two annular surfaces 805 and 901.
In this event, the technician may instead select the handle that
will provide the desired spacing. In a still further embodiment,
the longitudinal location of the annular surface 805 and/or the
annular surface 901 may be adjustable.
[0060] Although certain mechanical designs have been described to
effectuate the bowing of the tubes 101, these are only examples.
Any other design may be used instead.
[0061] Appropriate apparatuses may also be provided to allow the
degree of bowing in the inner tubes 203 and/or the outer tubes 201
to be individually adjusted either before, during or after these
tubes are bowed in unison as a result of the rotation of the
rotatable ring 111. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/864,288, entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE HAVING SEED TUBES WITH
INDIVIDUALLY-SETTABLE TISSUE SPACINGS," filed Nov. 3, 2006,
attorney docket number 63344-045, sets forth examples of
apparatuses that may be used to effectuate such individual
adjustments. Any of the apparatuses and methods shown in U.S.
patent application Ser. Nos. 11/305,437, entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY
APPARATUS," filed Dec. 16, 2005, attorney docket no. 63344-021, and
11/379,739, entitled "BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS FOR ASYMMETRICAL
CAVITIES," filed Apr. 21, 2006, Attorney Docket No. 63344-023, may
be used in addition or instead.
[0062] Although having thus-far been describe for use in connection
with treating a breast, the brachytherapy devices and methods that
have been described may also be used to treat other areas of a
body, such as the brain or prostrate.
[0063] The phrase "means for" when used in a claim embraces the
corresponding structures and materials that have been described and
their equivalents. Similarly, the phrase "step for" when used in a
claim embraces the corresponding acts that have been described and
their equivalents. The absence of these phrases means that the
claim is not limited to any of the corresponding structures,
materials, or acts or to their equivalents.
[0064] Nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended to
cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object,
benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of
whether it is recited in the claims.
[0065] In short, the scope of protection is limited solely by the
claims that now follow. That scope is intended to be as broad as is
reasonably consistent with the language that is used in the claims
and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents.
* * * * *