Immobilization Device for Radiation Treatment

Abstract

The Balloon Immobilization Device for Radiation Treatment of the present invention includes a catheter assembly with radiopaque markers and one or more lumina. The catheter assembly consists of a flexible tube and inflatable balloon. The flexible tube has distal and proximal ends, with one or more separate lumina within and along the length of the flexible tube. At least one lumen is in fluid communication with the exterior of the flexible tube at the distal end and the interior of the inflatable balloon and at least one lumen in fluid communication with the exterior of the flexible tube at the distal end and the exterior of the flexible tube at the proximal end. The inflatable balloon varies in shape and size and is made of a radiopaque material having varying degrees of radiopacity. Radiopaque markers are located at different locations on the balloon and flexible tube.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An immobilization device for radiation treatment comprising:
 an inflatable structure comprising one or more non-radiopaque areas surrounded by a radiopaque area configured to confine the delivery of radiation through said one or more non-radiopaque areas and to shield a surrounding area from said radiation with said radiopaque area, wherein said inflatable structure inflates from a non-inflated size to a maximum inflated size.   
     
     
         2 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 1  further comprising:
 one or more radiopaque markers within said one or more non-radiopaque areas configured as reference points during a radiation treatment. 
 
     
     
         3 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a flexible tube having a first end and a second end, said inflatable structure is attached to and encompasses a portion of said flexible tube. 
 
     
     
         4 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a first lumen within said flexible tube extending from a first opening formed in said flexible tube to a second opening formed in said portion of said flexible tube encompassed by said inflatable structure and exposed to an interior cavity of said inflatable structure. 
 
     
     
         5 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a catheter tip formed on said second end of said flexible tube; and 
 a second lumen within said flexible tube extending from a third opening formed in said flexible tube to a fourth opening formed in said catheter tip. 
 
     
     
         6 . An immobilization device for radiation treatment comprising:
 an inflatable structure comprising one or more areas of non-radiopaque material surrounded by a radiopaque material configured to confine the delivery of radiation through said one or more areas of non-radiopaque material and to shield a surrounding area from said radiation with said radiopaque material, wherein said inflatable structure inflates from a non-inflated size to a maximum inflated size; and   one or more radiopaque markers within said area of non-radiopaque material configured as reference points during a radiation treatment.   
     
     
         7 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a flexible tube having a first end and a second end, said inflatable structure is attached to and encompasses a portion of said flexible tube. 
 
     
     
         8 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a first lumen within said flexible tube extending from a first opening formed in said flexible tube to a second opening formed in said flexible tube encompassed by said inflatable structure and exposed to an interior cavity of said inflatable structure. 
 
     
     
         9 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a catheter tip formed on said second end of said flexible tube; and 
 a second lumen within said flexible tube extending from a third opening formed in said flexible tube to a fourth opening formed in said catheter tip. 
 
     
     
         10 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 6  wherein said radiopacity of said radiopaque markers is higher than said radiopaque material. 
     
     
         11 . The immobilization device for radiation treatment of  claim 6  wherein said radiopaque markers are positioned equidistance apart and maintain equidistance as said inflatable structure inflates between said non-inflated size and said maximum inflated size. 
     
     
         12 . A method of immobilizing an area for radiation treatment comprising the steps of:
 inserting an immobilization device for radiation treatment into a cavity of a human receiving radiation treatment, said immobilization device for radiation treatment comprises an inflatable structure having one or more non-radiopaque areas surrounded by a radiopaque area configured to confine the delivery of radiation through said one or more non-radiopaque areas and to shield a surrounding area from said radiation with said radiopaque area, wherein said inflatable structure inflates from a non-inflated size to a maximum inflated size;   positioning said one or more non-radiopaque areas of said inflatable structure over the area receiving radiation treatment;   inflating said inflatable structure; and   wherein during said radiation treatment, the delivery of radiation to said treatment area is confined through said one or more non-radiopaque areas and said radiopaque area shields a surrounding area from said radiation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of immobilizing an area for radiation treatment of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 adjusting said one or more non-radiopaque areas of said inflatable structure over the area receiving radiation treatment after inflation of said inflatable structure.   
     
     
         14 . The method of immobilizing an area for radiation treatment of  claim 13 , wherein said immobilization device for radiation treatment further comprises one or more radiopaque markers within said one or more non-radiopaque areas of said inflatable structure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of immobilizing an area for radiation treatment of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 establishing said one or more radiopaque markers as reference points for said radiation treatment.