Patents by Inventor Libbe van Zwol

Libbe van Zwol has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10933255
    Abstract: A source guide apparatus for brachytherapy application, wherein the source guide apparatus is provided with a source capsule, a guidewire for moving the source capsule through a catheter, a mechanical connection between the guidewire and the source capsule, wherein the source guide apparatus is provided with a sleeve which is attached on the capsule, wherein the sleeve envelops at least a part of the mechanical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Nucletron Operations B.V.
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol
  • Patent number: 8273007
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for transporting and positioning a capsule, in which a radioactive source is present, from a screened safe into an applicator to be temporarily placed in the body of the patient. The apparatus is provided with a safe for storing at least one capsule and with a larger number of applicators, which can be connected, via transport tubes, to passages in a switch-connecting plate, wherein the capsules, or a dummy instead of one of the capsules, can each, via their own tube and switch, independently of one another, be introduced into a transport tube selected by the respective switch and can be displaced therein independently of one another in a manner programmable with regard to location and residence time, by a transport wire slidable via a drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nucletron Operations B.V.
    Inventors: Eric van ′t Hooft, Libbe van Zwol, Joeri Tuijn
  • Publication number: 20100305388
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for transporting and positioning a capsule, in which a radioactive source is present, from a screened safe into an applicator to be temporarily placed in the body of the patient. The apparatus is provided with a safe for storing at least one capsule and with a larger number of applicators, which can be connected, via transport tubes, to passages in a switch-connecting plate, wherein the capsules, or a dummy instead of one of the capsules, can each, via their own tube and switch, independently of one another, be introduced into a transport tube selected by the respective switch and can be displaced therein independently of one another in a manner programmable with regard to location and residence time, by a transport wire slidable via a drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Isodose Control B.V.
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol, Joeri Tuijn
  • Patent number: 7645224
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for transporting and positioning a capsule, in which a radioactive source is present, from a screened safe into an applicator to be temporarily placed in the body of the patient. The apparatus is provided with a safe for storing at least one capsule and with a larger number of applicators, which can be connected, via transport tubes, to passages in a switch-connecting plate, wherein the capsules, or a dummy instead of one of the capsules, can each, via their own tube and switch, independently of one another, be introduced into a transport tube selected by the respective switch and can be displaced therein independently of one another in a manner programmable with regard to location and residence time, by a transport wire slidable via a drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Isodose Control Intellectual Property B.V.
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol, Joeri Tuijn
  • Publication number: 20080119687
    Abstract: A source guide apparatus for brachytherapy application, wherein the source guide apparatus is provided with a source capsule, a guidewire for moving the source capsule through a catheter, a mechanical connection between the guidewire and the source capsule, wherein the source guide apparatus is provided with a sleeve which is attached on the capsule, wherein the sleeve envelops at least a part of the mechanical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Isodose Control Intellectual Property B.V.
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol
  • Publication number: 20050261539
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for transporting and positioning a capsule, in which a radioactive source is present, from a screened safe into an applicator to be temporarily placed in the body of the patient. The apparatus is provided with a safe for storing at least one capsule and with a larger number of applicators, which can be connected, via transport tubes, to passages in a switch-connecting plate, wherein the capsules, or a dummy instead of one of the capsules, can each, via their own tube and switch, independently of one another, be introduced into a transport tube selected by the respective switch and can be displaced therein independently of one another in a manner programmable with regard to location and residence time, by a transport wire slidable via a drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Isodose Control B.V.
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol, Joeri Tuijn
  • Patent number: 5084001
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting radiation therapy by placing at least one guide tube through an orifice in an animal body and disposing the end portion of the guide tube near the site of intended therapy. The other end of the guide tube is connected to a channel in a shielding block. A high dose radiation source assembly is moved from the channel to the end portion and positioned a plurality of times at each of a series of preselected positions lying in the end portion to effect a plurality of pulsed radiations. The effects of low dose radiation can be duplicated by the high dose radiation source, the radiation field can be patterned, and when the repeated pulsed radiations are within repair times of healthy cells, cancer cells are destroyed and healthy cells survive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Eric Van't Hooft
    Inventors: Eric Van't Hooft, Libbe Van Zwol
  • Patent number: 5030194
    Abstract: A first radioactive source assembly disposed in a first source channel and a guide tube connected to the source channel and having a second end which is disposable in the animal body. A first source assembly transport thread connects the first source assembly to a first source assembly drive for driving the first source assembly to the second end of the guide tube. At least one further radioactive source assembly is disposed in a further source channel, a connector tube connects the further source channel and a connector disposed in the guide tube. A juncture is formed at the connector. A further source assembly transport thread is attached to the further source assembly and to a further source assembly drive for driving the further source assembly towards said second end of the said guide tube. The first source assembly and the further source assembly are alternatingly drivable toward the second end of the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Eric Van't Hooft
    Inventors: Eric Van't Hooft, Libbe Van Zwol
  • Patent number: 4969863
    Abstract: The adaptor for connecting a guide member in a remote after-loading apparatus for radiotherapy is provided. The adaptor comprises an outer barrel having an opened end, a connector end and a centrally extending aperture. A sleeve passes through the aperture of the barrel such that at least a first end of the sleeve is contained within the barrel. An elongated gripping means is disposed through the sleeve and extends beyond the ends of the sleeve. The gripping means has a gripping end and a receiving end, a gripping body extending between the ends, and a flange disposed on the gripping end with the diameter of the flange being greater than the diameter of the sleeve. A tapered outer surface extends from the flange to a distant portion of the gripping body. A uniform diameter tube bore is disposed through the gripping means and at least two slots pass through the flange and at least a portion of the gripping body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Eric van't Hooft
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol
  • Patent number: 4881937
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for effecting radioactive therapy in an animal body. A radioactive source assembly is disposed in a source channel, and a test assembly is disposed in a test channel. A source connecting tube is attached to the source channel and to a connector, and a test connecting tube is attached to the test channel and to the connector. A guide transfer tube is connected to the connector and an other end thereof is disposable at the site in an animal body intended for therapy. A source assembly transport thread is connected to the source assembly and a test assembly transport thread is connected to the test assembly. A source drive means is connected to an other end of the source transport thread and a test drive means is connected to an other end of the test transport thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Eric van't Hooft
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol
  • Patent number: 4861520
    Abstract: A drivable radioactive source capsule is provided which comprises a tubular body containing therein a plurality of radioactive sources. The said tubular body has a first end and a second end which is a terminus of the tubular body. A plug has an elongated closure portion with the diameter of the closure portion being substantially equal to the inside diameter of said tubular body. The closure portion is disposed within the tubular body through the second end thereof and is attached to the second end of the tubular body. The plug has a connection portion adjacent the closure portion with the diameter of the connecting portion being substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tubular body. An elongated flexible drive cable is connected to the connection portion of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Eric van't Hooft
    Inventors: Eric van't Hooft, Libbe van Zwol