The present invention relates to the use of glass radiation-sources in ophthalmic brachytherapy.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, in regards to its features, components and their configuration, operation, and advantages are best understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:
It will be appreciated that for clarity, elements shown in the figures may not be drawn to scale. Furthermore, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding elements.
In the following detailed description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details and that well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an ophthalmic radiation device and, specifically, to embodiments of a glass, radiation-source used in the device.
The following terms will be used out through the document:
“Ophthalmic brachytherapy” refers to the use of radioactive materials in the treatment of, inter alia, sub-retinal neovascularization associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMG), and malignant and benign ocular tumors.
“Radiation-source”, “source”, “source material”, “radioactive-source”, “radioisotope” all refer to a radioactive material emitting therapeutic radiation.
“Radiation” includes any one or a combination of, inter alia, alpha particles, beta particles, positrons, Auger electrons, gamma-rays, or x-rays.
“Holder” refers to a structure associated with a treatment wand of an ophthalmic radiation device. The holder is configured to support or to contain a glass radiation-source while a practitioner administers a therapeutic quantity of radiation.
“Radiation-source container” refers to radiation-source holders associated with brachytherapy treatment wand, shells associated with plaque radiation treatment, or other placement-related activities associated with ophthalmic brachytherapy.
“Wand”, “treatment wand”, “body of the wand”, or “wand body” refer to an elongated ergonomic structure extending from a handle and supporting the holder at its distal end, according to embodiments. The wand is contoured to provide the optimal access, visibility, and control, and fatigue-preventive ergonomics for the surgeon. In a certain embodiment, the wand is light transmissive whereas in another embodiment the wand is implemented as non-light transmissive.
“Light guide” refers to substantially transparent solid bodies through which light propagation is directed in accordance with the surface geometry of the body.
“Connection configuration” includes plaque eyelets, or flex tabs, or any other structure providing support. It should be appreciated that support structure integral to both the body supported and the body providing the support is also considered a connection configuration.
Turning now to the figures,
As shown in
In a certain embodiment, holder 4 may include light transmitting elements 3a and 3b of treatment wand 3 as will be further discussed.
Appropriate construction materials of holder 4 include, inter alia, polycarbonate, metal or glass.
In another embodiment, glass radiation-source 4b is permanently connected by way of adhesive or fusion to holder floor 4c or wall 4a. Alternatively, the radioactive source radiation-source 4b may be permanently sealed inside holding cavity 4d with a cover (not shown) fused to wall 4a, or by other retention means.
Permanent connections of glass radiation-source 4b and holder 4 are used in embodiments having either a disposable holder 4, treatment wand 3, or in which the entire ophthalmologic radiation device depicted in
In another embodiment, glass radiation-source 4b is temporally connected by way of adhesive, or corresponding threading embedded in an outer surface of source 4b and wall 4a or to floor 4c, or by way of a removable cover (not shown).
In a certain embodiment, ophthalmologic radiation device 2A includes handle connection configuration 3A providing releasable connection of treatment wand 3 to handle 2, while in an alternative embodiment, holder 4 is releasably connectable to treatment wand 3 via flex tabs 3c as shown in
In some embodiments, ophthalmologic radiation device 2A is fitted with a light pipe 6 for providing light that is transmitted through handle 2 and light transmitting elements 3a and 3b of treatment wand 3 as shown in
Light transmitting embodiments 3a and 3b may be constructed of strong, substantially transparent polymeric material such as polycarbonate, polysulfone, or polyetherimide, or other material providing sufficient strength and transparency enabling light to propagate through wand 3.
Without diminishing in scope, a disk-shaped radiation-source will be discussed in this document.
In certain embodiments, radioactive source 4b is implemented as neutron-activated radioisotopes activated through bombardment in a cyclotron with high-energy particles. Such materials include, inter alia, yttrium aluminosilicate, magnesium aluminosilicate, holmium-166, erbium-169, dysprosium-165, rhenium-186, rhenium-188, yttrium-90, or other elements on the periodic table. It should be appreciated that activation through bombardment of particles other than neutrons is also included within the scope of the present invention.
In certain embodiments, non-radioactive glass forming materials are molecularly bonded with a radioactive material. Examples of radioactive materials that may be mixed together or chemically bonded to the glass include, inter alia, iodine-125, palladium-103, and strontium-90 to emit low energy gamma rays.
In certain embodiments, glass radiation-source 4b contains radioisotopes that emit any one or a combination of, inter alia, alpha particles, beta minus and beta plus particles, positrons, Auger electrons, gamma-rays, or x-rays.
The choice of a particular radioisotope or plurality of radioisotopes is defined by the particular therapeutic requirements.
During manufacture, image data of a treatment area maybe derived from data provided by three dimensional medical imaging techniques like, inter alia Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Three-Dimensional Ultrasound, Computed Axial Tomography (CAT or CT), Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) or Positron Emission Tomography (PET), for example.
The image includes both surface geometry and shape data that can be used in a variety of manufacturing processes like, inter alia cutting, three-dimensional printing, or other rapid prototyping techniques like laser sintering, stereolithography, or fused filament fabrication. It should be appreciated that in a certain embodiment, these processes may be used to produce a mold for casting or forming glass radiation-source 4b.
Glass encasement 5 is constructed from silica in certain embodiments; however, it should be appreciated that the glass encasement may be formed from any one or the combination of glass forming oxides including, inter alia, Aluminum Oxide, Boric Oxide, Barium Oxide, Calcium Oxide, Potassium Oxide, Lithium Oxide, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Oxide, Lead Oxide, Tin Oxide, Strontium Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, and Zirconium Oxide.
In certain embodiments, encasement may be constructed from a radiation-permeable coating of metallic or polymeric material to advantageously contain ablation, fragmentation, detachment, degradation, and selective attenuation of radiation emission.
Glass encasement 5 is formed by any one or a combination of manufacturing processes including, inter cilia, lamination, casting, drawing, forming, molding, blowing, adhesion, or extrusion.
188Re, 166Ho, 166Dy, 137Cs, 57Co, 169Er, 165Dy, 97Ru, 193mPt, 195mPt, 105Rh,
68Ni, 67Cu, 64Cu, 109Cd, 111Ag, 198Au, 199Au, 201Tl, 175Yb, 47Sc, 159Gd, 212Bi, and 77As.
In certain embodiments, of radioisotope 5a is implemented as glass-encased Auger emitters like, inter alia, 67Ga, 99mTc, 111In, 123I, 125I, and 201Tl.
In certain other embodiments, of radioisotope 5a is implemented as glass-encased alpha-emitters like, inter alia, uranium, thorium, actinium, and radium, and the transuranic elements.
Radioactive microspheres 6 may be implemented from the materials noted above and have an average diameter ranging between 0.2-10.0, according to embodiments.
It should be appreciated that in many embodiments composite, glass-radiation-sources and shielding material inherently shield and reflect simultaneously. Construction methods described above may also be employed to construct composite glass, radiation-sources.
It should be appreciated that any combination of the various features and methods are also included within the scope of the invention.
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many to modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/891,349, filed on Oct. 15, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61891349 | Oct 2013 | US |