Tissue irradiation

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for treatment to tissue surrounding a body cavity or other intracorporeal site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. cancer. Such a device includes a treatment location on a distal portion of the device with one or more radiation shielding components that partially encircle a radiation source at the treatment location to control emitted radiation from the radiation source. The device minimizes radiation damage to healthy tissue surrounding the body cavity or other site while irradiating tissue not shielded by the radiation shielding components. A device embodying features of the invention can include a sealing member at a location on a shaft of the device proximal to a treatment location to seal the passageway leading to the body cavity.

1 . A device for treating delivering a radiation source into a body cavity or other intracorporeal site within a patient, comprising:
 a.) an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis and a distal portion with a treatment location;   b.) an inner radiation delivery lumen configured to extend to the treatment location and which is configured to receive the radiation source; and   c.) an inflatable member having a periphery configured to surround the treatment location, the inflatable member having a radiation shielding peripheral region configured to not pass radiation emitted from the radiation source and having a non-shielded peripheral region configured to pass radiation emitted from the radiation source.   
     
     
         2 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member is configured to only partially encircle the treatment location. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member is a radiation absorbing region. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein a material that forms the radiation absorbing region is selected from a group consisting of tantalum, bismuth subcarbonate, barium sulfate, platinum, gold, and tungsten. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member is a radiopaque material. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member is located on at least one of a proximal portion of the inflatable member and a distal portion of the inflatable member. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member has a circular shape. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member is elongated. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein an extent of the elongation of the radiation shielding peripheral region is in the direction of the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein each of a proximal end of the radiation shielding peripheral region and a distal end of the radiation shielding peripheral region is tapered. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member has an oval shape. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shielding peripheral region of the inflatable member is shaped as a spherical segment and is located at an end of the inflatable member. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member is configured to expand. 
     
     
         44 . A device for delivering a radiation source into a body cavity or other intracorporeal site within a patient, comprising:
 a.) an elongated shaft having a distal portion with a treatment location;   b.) at least one radiation delivery lumen configured to extend to the treatment location and which is configured to receive the radiation source; and   c.) a balloon configured to surround the treatment location, the balloon having a radiation shielding region configured to not pass radiation and having a non-shielded region configured to pass radiation.   
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the radiation shielding region of the balloon is configured to only partially encircle the treatment location. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the radiation shielding region of the balloon is a radiation absorbing region. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein a material that forms the radiation absorbing region is selected from a group consisting of tantalum, bismuth subcarbonate, barium sulfate, platinum, gold, and tungsten. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the radiation shielding region of the balloon is a radiopaque material. 
     
     
         49 . A device for delivering a radiation source into a body cavity or other intracorporeal site within a patient, comprising:
 a.) a shaft having a distal portion with a treatment location;   b.) at least one radiation delivery lumen configured to extend into the treatment location and which is configured to receive the radiation source; and   c.) a balloon configured to surround the treatment location, the balloon having a radiation absorbing region and a radiation passing region.   
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the radiation absorbing region of the balloon is configured to only partially encircle the treatment location.