Systems and methods for treating cancer using brachytherapy

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for treating cervical and/or uterine cancers in brachytherapy with an intracavitary brachytherapy applicator. The system comprises a tandem adapted for insertion into a cervix of a patient. An ovoid assembly comprises first and second inflatable ovoids and an ovoid support mechanism. The first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted for insertion within fornices of a patient. First and second retractors are adapted to be coupled to the ovoid assembly. The first retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the bladder of a patient during treatment. The second retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the rectum of a patient during treatment. The tandem and the first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted to be coupled to a radioactive source to deliver a radiation dose suitable for cancer treatment at a cancerous cervical treatment site in a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for treating cervical and/or uterine cancers in brachytherapy with an intracavitary brachytherapy applicator, comprising:
 a tandem adapted for insertion into a cervix of a patient;   an ovoid assembly comprising first and second inflatable ovoids and an ovoid support mechanism, the first and second inflatable ovoids each consisting of an inflatable balloon adapted for insertion within fornices of the patient; and   first and second retractors adapted to be coupled to the ovoid assembly, wherein the first retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract a bladder of the patient during treatment and the second retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract a rectum of the patient during treatment;   wherein the tandem and the first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted to be coupled to a radioactive source to deliver a radiation dose to respective radioactive source locations via the tandem and first and second radiation transfer catheter shafts suitable for cancer treatment at a cancerous cervical treatment site in the patient, wherein during delivery of the radiation dose the first and second inflatable ovoids are configured to cause respective radioactive source locations to be positioned away from respective surfaces of a vaginal mucosa of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tandem comprises an endoscopic viewing element to facilitate positioning of the tandem. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ovoid assembly comprises a tandem connector adapted to releasably and adjustably couple the tandem to the ovoid assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ovoid assembly comprises a tandem connector adapted to allow for translational motion of the tandem relative to the ovoid assembly prior to insertion into a vagina of the patient but adapted to limit translational motion of the tandem thereafter. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ovoid assembly comprises a tandem connector adapted to allow for translational motion of the tandem relative to the ovoid assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ovoid assembly comprises a tandem connector adapted to limit rotational movement of the tandem about a longitudinal axis of the tandem. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second retractors are adapted to be releasably coupled to the ovoid assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tandem comprises a longitudinal portion and an angled portion disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal portion. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the angled portion forms an angle with the longitudinal portion, wherein at least one of the first and second ovoids is coupled to the angled portion of the ovoid assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ovoid support mechanism is adapted to support the ovoids and to allow for user manipulation to control a relative position of the ovoids for insertion of the ovoids within the fornices of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ovoid assembly is adapted to be pre-assembled as a single unit prior to insertion into a vagina of the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the ovoid assembly is configured to be simultaneously inserted into the patient as integrated pieces of the single unit. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ovoid support mechanism comprises first and second handles configured to allow angular movement of corresponding first and second inflatable ovoids. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the ovoid assembly further comprises first and second inflation lumens at least partially housed within the respective first and second handles. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second inflation lumens are configured to inflate the respective first and second ovoids. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the ovoid assembly further comprises first and second radiation transfer catheter shafts at least partially housed within the respective first and second handles. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second inflatable ovoids are adjustably inflatable, having a deflated configuration for insertion into the patient and one or more adjustably inflated configurations for positioning the ovoid assembly during treatment. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the bladder of the patient during treatment and the second retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the rectum of the patient during treatment. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second retractors are adjustably inflatable, having a deflated configuration for insertion into the patient and one or more adjustably inflated configurations for retraction of tissue during treatment. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the radioactive source is configured to be positioned outside the patient to deliver.