Patents by Inventor L. Cutrer

L. Cutrer 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).

  • Publication number: 20070270627
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus, system and method that delivers partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a trocar. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources, at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation, a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: L. Cutrer, Richard Terwilliger, Fredrick Wintch, John Zhang, Wayne Higgins, Terence Ellard, David Bossi
  • Publication number: 20070164239
    Abstract: A variable stop collimator for use in a radiation therapy machine having a radiation source for producing a radiation beam directed toward a patient. The variable stop collimator includes a plurality of radiation attenuating leaves, with each leaf having an opposing leaf to collimate a ray of the radiation beam. For each leaf, the collimator includes a pneumatic cylinder configured to independently move each leaf between the open and closed state and at points between the open and closed states. Each pneumatic cylinder is connected at one end to the leaf and, at the other end, to a variable stop. The stop may include a raised spiral projection that permits a smooth stop at any point deemed appropriate for the motor. The collimator includes a support configured to guide the plurality of radiation attenuating leaves transverse to the beam plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Rick Terwilliger, L. Cutrer
  • Publication number: 20070078291
    Abstract: An apparatus for implanting an element within a tissue a cannula having a sharpened tip at a beveled distal end, and a stylet. The stylet is configured to engage the element within a hollow bore of the cannula, so that the element is pushed through the hollow bore out of the beveled distal end onto the tissue, when the cannula is moved relative to the stylet along an axis. A bevel-shaped insert member has a bevel angle that matches the bevel angle of the cannula distal end. The outer surface of the insert member supports the tissue, to prevent the tissue from prolapsing into the interior of the beveled distal end during penetration of the tissue by the sharpened tip. A protruding structure extends from the outer surface of the member, and frictionally holds the member in place along the interior surface of the hollow bore during the penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Terwilliger, L. Cutrer
  • Publication number: 20040087829
    Abstract: A radioactive seed which discloses the orientation and the location of the seed when the seed is exposed to X-ray photography is provided. The seed contains multiple X-ray detectable markers which will disclose the orientation and the location of the seed when the seed is exposed to X-ray photography. The seed can also have a single marker which wraps around the external surface of the seed or wraps around a carrier body within the seed. The single marker will also disclose the orientation as well as the location of the seed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: North American Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Cutrer