Abstract: A hand-held probe for measuring radiation or magnetic activity includes a probe having a handle having a longitudinal axis and a shaft portion adapted to be inserted or held above a radiation or magnetic emitting source implanted within a patient's body or tissue of interest, the shaft portion includes a radiation or magnetic activity sensor configured to detect and measure radiation emitted from the radiation emitting source or magnetic activity from a magnetic source; the radiation emitting source being an implanted seed or a radioisotope that is injected near a tumor site in the patient's body; the probe including a signal processing device for further processing the measured radiation or magnetic activity; and a communication medium to exchange data from the hand-held probe with an external data processor unit.

Abstract: The radiotherapy applicator system includes an applicator pad adapted to cover a target area of a patient for radiation treatment. One or more spaced channels extend through a length of the applicator pad. Each channel receives a catheter sleeve, and an elongate seed line is selectively inserted into a corresponding catheter sleeve. Each seed line contains one or more radioactive seeds and spacers arranged in a predetermined pattern along the length of the seed line. The seed lines within the applicator pad form an array of a predetermined, geometric treatment pattern of seeds covering the target area, the treatment pattern predetermined from a treatment plan for that target area and the patient. Shielding is provided to protect staff administering the treatment and non-target areas from harmful levels of radiation exposure. The radiotherapy applicator system is reusable for multi-session treatment and may be provided as a customized kit.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon intra-cavity catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction opening associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion, and a secondary treatment balloon for a catheter. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and a secondary treatment balloon communicatively associated with the distal end portion of the catheter, and the balloons and the secondary treatment balloon being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon or to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon intra-cavity catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction opening associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon intra-cavity catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction opening associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: An intracavitary applicator, such as a vaginal applicator, includes an elongate outer shell selectively housing an elongate cylinder insert, each having an open, proximal end and a closed and curved, distal end. An endcap selectively closes the proximal ends. A central through-bore extends substantially the length of the cylinder insert. Outer guide channels run along the length and around the curved distal end of the cylinder insert to terminate near an opening of the central through-bore. Guide holes and an endcap through-bore on the endcap align and communicate with the guide channels and central through-bore, respectively, when assembled to form pathways for introduction of radioactive sources and/or other instruments. The outer shell has a thinner wall at the distal end than the side to enable the insert to be closer to the target treatment area. An anchor collar can be used to fix positioning of the intracavitary applicator.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon intra-cavity catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction opening associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated and deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and material from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a liquid saline solution, a fluid medium, or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion, and a secondary treatment balloon for a catheter. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and a secondary treatment balloon communicatively associated with the distal end portion of the catheter, and the balloons and the secondary treatment balloon being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon or to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: A urethral catheter and its method of use to identify a patient's urethral anatomic course for the precise placement of a treatment element into the patient's prostate are provided. An echo-opaque urethral catheter including an echogenic material and a radio-opaque material in at least an image portion thereof is introduced into a urethra until its echogenic and radio-opaque image portion is generally aligned with a treatment site of the prostate. An image probe positioned relative to the treatment site is activated to obtain a real time image of the prostate and urethra by ultrasound or X-ray imaging. The echo-opaque urethral catheter includes an elongated flexible catheter, at least the image portion of which, is coated with, incorporates within or is enclosed by the echogenic and radio-opaque materials that enhance ultrasound and radio visualization.

Abstract: A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the distal end portion, and the balloons being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon, wherein one or more of inflatable balloons further includes a second one of the plurality lumens associated with a corresponding inner wall of a corresponding inflatable balloon and adapted to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment. The plurality of balloons can have varying sizes in relation to each other and also include lumens within or associated with the inner walls of the balloons to deliver a treatment.

Abstract: An intracavitary applicator, such as a vaginal applicator, includes an elongate outer shell selectively housing an elongate cylinder insert, each having an open, proximal end and a closed and curved, distal end. An endcap selectively closes the proximal ends. A central through-bore extends substantially the length of the cylinder insert. Outer guide channels run along the length and around the curved distal end of the cylinder insert to terminate near an opening of the central through-bore. Guide holes and an endcap through-bore on the endcap align and communicate with the guide channels and central through-bore, respectively, when assembled to form pathways for introduction of radioactive sources and/or other instruments. The outer shell has a thinner wall at the distal end than the side to enable the insert to be closer to the target treatment area. An anchor collar can be used to fix positioning of the intracavitary applicator.

Abstract: A process, apparatus and a catheter and a flexi needle for medical applications formed by the process of selecting a tubular flexible member and a metal/ceramic cap member to be securely joined to the tubular member, placing the cap member in engaging relation with a holding member of a material joining device, securing the tubular member on a positioning member of the material joining device, positioning a distal end of the tubular member in engaging relation with an end of the cap member positioned in the holding member, and rotating the holding member and maintaining the tubular member in frictionally engaging relation with the cap member to melt or soften a predetermined portion of the distal end of the tubular member engaged with the cap member to integrally join a predetermined portion of the distal end of the tubular member within the cap member forming a joined composite member.

Abstract: A hand-held probe for measuring radiation or magnetic activity includes a probe having a handle having a longitudinal axis and a shaft portion adapted to be inserted or held above a radiation or magnetic emitting source implanted within a patient's body or tissue of interest, the shaft portion includes a radiation or magnetic activity sensor configured to detect and measure radiation emitted from the radiation emitting source or magnetic activity from a magnetic source; the radiation emitting source being an implanted seed or a radioisotope that is injected near a tumor site in the patient's body; the probe including a signal processing device for further processing the measured radiation or magnetic activity; and a communication medium to exchange data from the hand-held probe with an external data processor unit.

Abstract: A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the distal end portion, and the balloons being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon, wherein one or more of inflatable balloons further includes a second one of the plurality lumens associated with a corresponding inner wall of a corresponding inflatable balloon and adapted to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment. The plurality of balloons can have varying sizes in relation to each other and also include lumens within or associated with the inner walls of the balloons to deliver a treatment.