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.

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.

Abstract: A template, to be provided at some distance from the skin, provided with multiple guide holes for needles or catheters of which one or more can anchor in the prostate. The template is provided with a locking mechanism so that, after placement, the anchored needles keep all needles in their original places. The above-described method of fixedly positioning a treatment template prevents the needles from moving due to swelling of the tissue in the prostate, which causes the irradiation source, which is later provided in the needles, to improperly irradiate the area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a source guide apparatus for guiding and locating a radiation source in a human body, wherein a catheter is provided in a body and connected to the apparatus, and wherein the proximal end is kept in a predetermined position with respect to the body. According to the invention, a treatment window is set, which is situated within the body, within which the source can be kept in respective positions, wherein the treatment window has a fixed window width and a reference position situated at a predetermined distance with respect to the proximal end of the catheter. The source guide apparatus guides the source through the catheter to a predetermined position in the body, measured relative to the treatment window.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for irradiating cervical cancer, comprising multiple source guide tubes with a coupling piece situated outside the patient that connects the tubes outside the patient. The source guide tubes are formed such that the portions of the tubes situated in the patient upon insertion hook to each other so that the tubes are locked relative to each other. In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a central catheter tube to be guided into the uterus, which is provided with a flange-shaped stop for stabilizing the central tube relative to the uterus, the stop being formed for securing a position of the central tube relative to the further source guide tubes.

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.

Abstract: A catheter needle, for irradiating tumors, formed by an elongated plastic tube with parts partly unfoldable outwards which can lock themselves in the tissue, and a closed end. The closed end has a reinforced sharp pointed shape with which tissue can be punctured. In the improved version, therefore, a point from a harder material is provided which is provided in or around the plastic so that the catheter needle has sufficient sharpness like a conventional metal needle. Thus, the catheter needle can puncture the skin and harder, deeper-lying tissues directly without pre-puncturing or other aids.

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.

Abstract: A template, to be provided at some distance from the skin, provided with multiple guide holes for needles or catheters of which one or more can anchor in the prostate. The template is provided with a locking mechanism so that, after placement, the anchored needles keep all needles in their original places. The above-described method of fixedly positioning a treatment template prevents the needles from moving due to swelling of the tissue in the prostate, which causes the irradiation source, which is later provided in the needles, to improperly irradiate the area.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for irradiating cervical cancer, comprising multiple source guide tubes with a coupling piece situated outside the patient that connects the tubes outside the patient. The source guide tubes are formed such that the portions of the tubes situated in the patient upon insertion hook to each other so that the tubes are locked relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a source guide apparatus for guiding and locating a radiation source in a human body, wherein a catheter is provided in a body and connected to the apparatus, and wherein the proximal end is kept in a predetermined position with respect to the body. According to the invention, a treatment window is set, which is situated within the body, within which the source can be kept in respective positions, wherein the treatment window has a fixed window width and a reference position situated at a predetermined distance with respect to the proximal end of the catheter. The source guide apparatus guides the source through the catheter to a predetermined position in the body, measured relative to the treatment window.

Abstract: A catheter needle, for irradiating tumors, formed by an elongated plastic tube with parts partly unfoldable outwards which can lock themselves in the tissue, and a closed end. The closed end has a reinforced sharp pointed shape with which tissue can be punctured. In the improved version, therefore, a point from a harder material is provided which is provided in or around the plastic so that the catheter needle has sufficient sharpness like a conventional metal needle. Thus, the catheter needle can puncture the skin and harder, deeper-lying tissues directly without pre-puncturing or other aids.

Abstract: A device is described for storing and manipulating a radiation source, comprising a safe for storing at least one capsule comprising a radioactive material, a transport element for moving the capsule through a transport tube connected to the safe and leading to an applicator, and a drive mechanism for driving the transport element. According to the invention, the capsule comprises an enriched low energy radiation source for emitting gamma radiation in the range of 10-100 keV. For this purpose, a source is utilized having a sufficiently high specific activity for performing a high does rate (HDR) radiation treatment.

Abstract: A brachytherapy catheter needle formed as an elongate pointed leading part terminating in a coupling piece for fixation of the brachytherapy catheter behind and in line with the leading part. Such a structure is by nature stiff. The brachytherapy catheter needle can be pulled entirely through the tissue, so that the brachytherapy catheter can be cut at the exit side. This method can be performed faster and more effectively than with the conventional brachytherapy catheter needles. The brachytherapy catheter needle according to the invention is preferably relatively short and solid and can be inserted into the tissue in front of the brachytherapy catheter tube. This provides the advantage that the needle can be made of relatively stiff design, enabling a better straight guidance.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily inserting a radioactive source in a body. A flexible, closed-end sheath is first inserted in the body in a known way. Thereafter a radiation device having a radioactive source therein is inserted into the sheath and detachably connected to a fixing element. After a predetermined period of time, the radiation device is disconnected from the fixing element and removed from the body.

Abstract: A guide tube having at least one channel for guiding a cable has an elongated cylindrical sheath body incorporating at least two pull wires, located in the same diametrical plane of the guide tube. The sheath body may be composed of several parts, and a number of channels may be formed with a sheath body, which channels may or may not be separable from each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a first end part of a cable to a drive unit, this cable carrying at its second end part an element, such as a source of radiation, which can be moved through a guide tube, wherein there are provided at least two first end parts with a different mechanical identification in the form of recesses, thickenings, projections or the like, and there being provided a number of different connector elements, corresponding to the number of different end parts, the connector elements each having locking means which can only cooperate with an end part provided with a particular mechanical identification, whilst a cable with a first end part provided with a mechanical identification associated with the desired element to be displaced is chosen and is inserted into a matching connector element, whereafter the first end part is locked in the relevant connector element by means of the locking means.

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.