CA2423511A1 - After loader apparatus as well as a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge - Google Patents
After loader apparatus as well as a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2423511A1 CA2423511A1 CA002423511A CA2423511A CA2423511A1 CA 2423511 A1 CA2423511 A1 CA 2423511A1 CA 002423511 A CA002423511 A CA 002423511A CA 2423511 A CA2423511 A CA 2423511A CA 2423511 A1 CA2423511 A1 CA 2423511A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cartridge
- loader
- exchanging device
- housing
- radiation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
- G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
- G21F5/015—Transportable or portable shielded containers for storing radioactive sources, e.g. source carriers for irradiation units; Radioisotope containers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
- A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
- A61N5/1001—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
- A61N5/1007—Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
- A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
- A61N5/1001—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
- A61N5/1007—Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
- A61N2005/1008—Apparatus for temporary insertion of sources, e.g. afterloaders
Abstract
The invention relates to an after loader apparatus for treatment of tumours in an animal body comprising a housing with at least one exchangeable radiation source connected to a first end of a transport wire, which wire is connected with its other end to transport means for advancing said transport wire and said radiation source through a guide tube to and from a tumour in said body, where at least the radiation source and the transport wire are mounted in an exchangeable radiation shielded after loader cartridge, which cartridge can be placed in a suitable receptable opening present in said housing.
It is an object of the invention to provide an after loader apparatus wherein in a more safe manner to the environment a cartridge containing a radioactive source can be replaced by another cartridge containing a new radioactive source and according to the invention the after loader apparatus is characterized in that, for exchanging said radiation source after use an exchanging device is present for, in a first step, removing the cartridge with the used radiation source from said receptable opening and, in a second step, inserting a further cartridge containing a new radiation source in said receptable opening.
The invention relates furthermore to a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus according to the invention.
It is an object of the invention to provide an after loader apparatus wherein in a more safe manner to the environment a cartridge containing a radioactive source can be replaced by another cartridge containing a new radioactive source and according to the invention the after loader apparatus is characterized in that, for exchanging said radiation source after use an exchanging device is present for, in a first step, removing the cartridge with the used radiation source from said receptable opening and, in a second step, inserting a further cartridge containing a new radiation source in said receptable opening.
The invention relates furthermore to a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus according to the invention.
Description
After loader apparatus as well as a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge.
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to an after loader apparatus for treatment of tumours in an animal body comprising a housing with at least one exchangeable radiation source connected to a first end of a transport wire, which wire is connected with its other end to transport means for advancing said transport wire and said radiation source through a guide tube to and from a tumour in said body, where at least the radiation source and the transport wire are mounted in an exchangeable radiation shielded after loader cartridge, which cartridge can be placed in a suitable receptable opening present in said housing.
It is known in the medical field to use after loader devices for the treatment of cancerous tumours using radioactive sources having an intensity greater than that, which can safely be handled.
Remote after loaders are devices generally used in the cancer treatment field to accurately advance and retract a flexible wire containing a ga~na radiation emitting source over a specified distance for a specific time period. A remote after loader comprises a flexible simulation wire for testing purposes and a flexible wire with the gamma radiation emitting source, specific control and transport mechanisms to operate both types of wires, as well as a radiation shielded housing for the radiation emitting source.
Typically one or more catheters, needles or other closed pathways (hereafter "guide tubes") to the treatment site are positioned i n the pati ent . The gui de tubes are then attached t.o the after 1 oader, whi ch advances the radi oacti ve source at the end of the transport wi re, sometimes called a source wire, along the guide tubes according to a predetermined sequence calculated to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to the tumour. Many of these prior art devices advance the source-wire by means of a friction drive belt trained about a wheel with the wire sandwiched between the belt and wheel.
The radiation emitting sources presently used are radioactive sources, which sources continuously emit gamma radiation following the principles of natural radioactive decay and which are characterized by the specific half life time of the used radioactive material. Since the sources used in such treatment can constitute a hazard to a technician administering the treatment, after loaders are used for inserting of the radioactive source in the patient with minimum radiation exposure of the technician or with no exposure whatsoever.
These after loader devices allow the insertion of the radioactive source in the patient after the technician administering the treatment moves away from the patient or leaves the treatment room. In other words, the radioactive source is loaded into the patient for treatment after the technician leaves the patient, and for that reason such devices are generally referred to as "remote after loading devices".
Normally radioactive sources can be used for these cancer treatments only during a limited time, because of the natural decay of radiation. For this reason the radioactive source has to be exchanged normally sometimes per year. For that purpose in the present after loader apparatus, said radioactive source and said transport wire and in specific embodiments also the transport means are accommodated in an exchangeable cartridge, which cartridge is at least partly radiation shielded can be placed in a suitable receptable opening in the housing of the after loader device. Once the radiation therapy has been administered the transport wire is retracted together with the radioactive source from the patient's body and safely stored inside the cartridge.
In case of replacement, the cartridge together with the used radioactive source is taken out of the receptable opening by hand by a medic or technician administering the therapy to the patient, which used cartri dge i s then repl aced by a simi 1 ar cartri dge contai ni ng a new radioactive source together with a transport wire. A new cartridge is p1 aced i ns i de the receptabl a openi ng and can then be used for treatment purposes.
An exampl a of an after 1 oadi ng apparatus accordi ng to the above introduction is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,137,114 (K-H. Rohe et al.), wherein the cartridges used contain a High Dose Rate (HDR) or a Pulse Dose Rate (PDR) source. Each cartridge comprises a long-distance radiation source transport container, wherein the HDR or PDR source is stored for replacement and transport purposes. In order to meet the specifications for long-distance radiation source transport containers the whole cartridge construction exhibit enlarged dimensions and weight due to the additional radiation shielding, which shielding is still necessary for an used HDR or PDR source.
Hence, a cartridge as described in US-A-6,137,114 is difficult to be exchanged by technical personnel due to its excessive dimensions and weight.
Another example of such after loading apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,048,300 (R. T. Thornton et al.). Especially with the use of so called High Dose Rate sources or Pulse Dose Rate active sources the used transport and exchanged cartridges for such radioactive sources have rather large dimensions and weight, due to the necessary heavy shielding against the radioactive radiation. The manual insertion of such heavy cartridges in the after loader is therefore difficult and not user-friendly.
It is an object of the invention to provide an after loader apparatus wherein in a more safe manner to the environment a cartridge containing a radioactive source can be replaced by another cartridge containing a new radioactive source.
Moreover it is another object of the invention to provide a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge after use, which cartridges can have a simplified construction with reduced dimensions and weight, instead of the long-distance radiation source transport container-cartridge assemblies presently used.
According to the invention the after loader apparatus is characterized in that for exchanging said radiation source after use an exchanging device is present for, in a first step, removing the cartridge with the used radiation source from said receptable opening and, in a second step, inserting a further cartridge containing a new radiation source in said receptable opening.
Thus the exchange of an used cartridge with a new cartridge is performed in a much more controlled manner, thus reducing the risk of accidents or operation errors. Moreover, with such exchanging device according to the invention large and heavy constructed cartridges having a long-distance radiation source transport container are no longer necessary. The cartridges can be constructed in a cheaper, simplified manner with reduced dimensions and weight, whilst maintaining the necessary radiation shielding even when used for HDR or PDR sources. The handling of such cartridges by technical personnel is greatly improved, whilst furthermore a permanent protection against radiation of the personnel is assured.
Such a device can easily be placed against the after loader apparatus containing the used source for automatically replacing said used source with the new source already contained in the exchanging device.
In order to avoid any leakage of radioactive radiation during exchanging the cartridges, said exchanging device comprises connection means, which can cooperate with corresponding connection means present on the housing of the apparatus for coupling said exchanging device to said apparatus. By connecting the exchanging device with the after loader apparatus the exchanging procedure is completely shielded against possible radioactive radiation emitting from the exchanging device and/or apparatus during exchange.
Preferably said corresponding connection means are mounted around said receptable opening.
A fully automation of the exchange of the cartridges is obtained according to a further aspect of the invention, because said 5 exchanging device and/or said apparatus comprise cartridge drive means for advancing both used and new cartridge from and in said receptable opening.
Another embodiment of the after loader apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that, said exchanging device comprises means for moving each of said two compartments within said device to a position adjacent to said receptable opening. In an alternative embodiment, said after loader apparatus comprises means for moving said receptable opening to a position adjacent to one of said two compartments.
Furthermore said transport means can be present in each after loader cartridge. This significantly reduces the construction of the after loader apparatus, whilst with this embodiment of the after loader cartridge the after loader apparatus no longer requires specific means for connecting the transport means present in the after loader apparatus with each separate cartridge.
The invention also relates to a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus for treatment of tumours in an animal body, which cartridge is mounted in a receptable opening present in the housing of said irradiation apparatus and containing at least one radiation source and a transport wire.
For a safe and automatic replacement of a used cartridge wi th a new cartri dge, such i n order to prevent possi b1 a handl i ng errors of technical personnel, the exchanging device is according to the invention characterized in that said device comprises a radiation shielded housing with a first empty compartment for, in use, receiving said used after loader cartridge mounted in said receptable opening and a second compartment containing a further cartridge with a new radiation source to be inserted in the, now empty, receptable opening.
The cartridges can be constructed in a cheaper, simplified manner with reduced dimensions and weight, whilst maintaining the necessary radiation shielding even when used for HDR or PDR sources. It will be apparent that the handling of such cartridges by technical personnel is improved. Moreover a permanent protection against radiation of the personnel is assured.
More specifically the exchanging device comprises in one embodiment connection means for connecting the housing of the device to the housing of the after loader apparatus, such that said compartments are adjacent to said receptable opening. Thus, the exchange of the cartridges is fully shielded against possible interruption by technical personnel, furthermore it provides a completely shielded construction against possible exposure due to leakage of radiation.
With another specific embodiment cartridge drive means a present for advancing both the used and the new cartridge from and in said receptable opening. In particularly compartment drive means are present for movi ng each of sai d two compartments wi thi n the devi ce to a position adjacent to said receptable opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention shall now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:
Fi gure 1 an after 1 oader apparatus accordi ng to the state of the art;
Figures 2a-2d schematic views of an embodiment of the cartridge exchange means for use with an after loader cartridge of Figure 1;
Figures 3a-3c views in more detail of the cartridge exchange means of the invention;
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to an after loader apparatus for treatment of tumours in an animal body comprising a housing with at least one exchangeable radiation source connected to a first end of a transport wire, which wire is connected with its other end to transport means for advancing said transport wire and said radiation source through a guide tube to and from a tumour in said body, where at least the radiation source and the transport wire are mounted in an exchangeable radiation shielded after loader cartridge, which cartridge can be placed in a suitable receptable opening present in said housing.
It is known in the medical field to use after loader devices for the treatment of cancerous tumours using radioactive sources having an intensity greater than that, which can safely be handled.
Remote after loaders are devices generally used in the cancer treatment field to accurately advance and retract a flexible wire containing a ga~na radiation emitting source over a specified distance for a specific time period. A remote after loader comprises a flexible simulation wire for testing purposes and a flexible wire with the gamma radiation emitting source, specific control and transport mechanisms to operate both types of wires, as well as a radiation shielded housing for the radiation emitting source.
Typically one or more catheters, needles or other closed pathways (hereafter "guide tubes") to the treatment site are positioned i n the pati ent . The gui de tubes are then attached t.o the after 1 oader, whi ch advances the radi oacti ve source at the end of the transport wi re, sometimes called a source wire, along the guide tubes according to a predetermined sequence calculated to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to the tumour. Many of these prior art devices advance the source-wire by means of a friction drive belt trained about a wheel with the wire sandwiched between the belt and wheel.
The radiation emitting sources presently used are radioactive sources, which sources continuously emit gamma radiation following the principles of natural radioactive decay and which are characterized by the specific half life time of the used radioactive material. Since the sources used in such treatment can constitute a hazard to a technician administering the treatment, after loaders are used for inserting of the radioactive source in the patient with minimum radiation exposure of the technician or with no exposure whatsoever.
These after loader devices allow the insertion of the radioactive source in the patient after the technician administering the treatment moves away from the patient or leaves the treatment room. In other words, the radioactive source is loaded into the patient for treatment after the technician leaves the patient, and for that reason such devices are generally referred to as "remote after loading devices".
Normally radioactive sources can be used for these cancer treatments only during a limited time, because of the natural decay of radiation. For this reason the radioactive source has to be exchanged normally sometimes per year. For that purpose in the present after loader apparatus, said radioactive source and said transport wire and in specific embodiments also the transport means are accommodated in an exchangeable cartridge, which cartridge is at least partly radiation shielded can be placed in a suitable receptable opening in the housing of the after loader device. Once the radiation therapy has been administered the transport wire is retracted together with the radioactive source from the patient's body and safely stored inside the cartridge.
In case of replacement, the cartridge together with the used radioactive source is taken out of the receptable opening by hand by a medic or technician administering the therapy to the patient, which used cartri dge i s then repl aced by a simi 1 ar cartri dge contai ni ng a new radioactive source together with a transport wire. A new cartridge is p1 aced i ns i de the receptabl a openi ng and can then be used for treatment purposes.
An exampl a of an after 1 oadi ng apparatus accordi ng to the above introduction is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,137,114 (K-H. Rohe et al.), wherein the cartridges used contain a High Dose Rate (HDR) or a Pulse Dose Rate (PDR) source. Each cartridge comprises a long-distance radiation source transport container, wherein the HDR or PDR source is stored for replacement and transport purposes. In order to meet the specifications for long-distance radiation source transport containers the whole cartridge construction exhibit enlarged dimensions and weight due to the additional radiation shielding, which shielding is still necessary for an used HDR or PDR source.
Hence, a cartridge as described in US-A-6,137,114 is difficult to be exchanged by technical personnel due to its excessive dimensions and weight.
Another example of such after loading apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,048,300 (R. T. Thornton et al.). Especially with the use of so called High Dose Rate sources or Pulse Dose Rate active sources the used transport and exchanged cartridges for such radioactive sources have rather large dimensions and weight, due to the necessary heavy shielding against the radioactive radiation. The manual insertion of such heavy cartridges in the after loader is therefore difficult and not user-friendly.
It is an object of the invention to provide an after loader apparatus wherein in a more safe manner to the environment a cartridge containing a radioactive source can be replaced by another cartridge containing a new radioactive source.
Moreover it is another object of the invention to provide a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge after use, which cartridges can have a simplified construction with reduced dimensions and weight, instead of the long-distance radiation source transport container-cartridge assemblies presently used.
According to the invention the after loader apparatus is characterized in that for exchanging said radiation source after use an exchanging device is present for, in a first step, removing the cartridge with the used radiation source from said receptable opening and, in a second step, inserting a further cartridge containing a new radiation source in said receptable opening.
Thus the exchange of an used cartridge with a new cartridge is performed in a much more controlled manner, thus reducing the risk of accidents or operation errors. Moreover, with such exchanging device according to the invention large and heavy constructed cartridges having a long-distance radiation source transport container are no longer necessary. The cartridges can be constructed in a cheaper, simplified manner with reduced dimensions and weight, whilst maintaining the necessary radiation shielding even when used for HDR or PDR sources. The handling of such cartridges by technical personnel is greatly improved, whilst furthermore a permanent protection against radiation of the personnel is assured.
Such a device can easily be placed against the after loader apparatus containing the used source for automatically replacing said used source with the new source already contained in the exchanging device.
In order to avoid any leakage of radioactive radiation during exchanging the cartridges, said exchanging device comprises connection means, which can cooperate with corresponding connection means present on the housing of the apparatus for coupling said exchanging device to said apparatus. By connecting the exchanging device with the after loader apparatus the exchanging procedure is completely shielded against possible radioactive radiation emitting from the exchanging device and/or apparatus during exchange.
Preferably said corresponding connection means are mounted around said receptable opening.
A fully automation of the exchange of the cartridges is obtained according to a further aspect of the invention, because said 5 exchanging device and/or said apparatus comprise cartridge drive means for advancing both used and new cartridge from and in said receptable opening.
Another embodiment of the after loader apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that, said exchanging device comprises means for moving each of said two compartments within said device to a position adjacent to said receptable opening. In an alternative embodiment, said after loader apparatus comprises means for moving said receptable opening to a position adjacent to one of said two compartments.
Furthermore said transport means can be present in each after loader cartridge. This significantly reduces the construction of the after loader apparatus, whilst with this embodiment of the after loader cartridge the after loader apparatus no longer requires specific means for connecting the transport means present in the after loader apparatus with each separate cartridge.
The invention also relates to a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus for treatment of tumours in an animal body, which cartridge is mounted in a receptable opening present in the housing of said irradiation apparatus and containing at least one radiation source and a transport wire.
For a safe and automatic replacement of a used cartridge wi th a new cartri dge, such i n order to prevent possi b1 a handl i ng errors of technical personnel, the exchanging device is according to the invention characterized in that said device comprises a radiation shielded housing with a first empty compartment for, in use, receiving said used after loader cartridge mounted in said receptable opening and a second compartment containing a further cartridge with a new radiation source to be inserted in the, now empty, receptable opening.
The cartridges can be constructed in a cheaper, simplified manner with reduced dimensions and weight, whilst maintaining the necessary radiation shielding even when used for HDR or PDR sources. It will be apparent that the handling of such cartridges by technical personnel is improved. Moreover a permanent protection against radiation of the personnel is assured.
More specifically the exchanging device comprises in one embodiment connection means for connecting the housing of the device to the housing of the after loader apparatus, such that said compartments are adjacent to said receptable opening. Thus, the exchange of the cartridges is fully shielded against possible interruption by technical personnel, furthermore it provides a completely shielded construction against possible exposure due to leakage of radiation.
With another specific embodiment cartridge drive means a present for advancing both the used and the new cartridge from and in said receptable opening. In particularly compartment drive means are present for movi ng each of sai d two compartments wi thi n the devi ce to a position adjacent to said receptable opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention shall now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:
Fi gure 1 an after 1 oader apparatus accordi ng to the state of the art;
Figures 2a-2d schematic views of an embodiment of the cartridge exchange means for use with an after loader cartridge of Figure 1;
Figures 3a-3c views in more detail of the cartridge exchange means of the invention;
Figures 4a-4b a top view and a side view of an after loader cartridge with a cartridge;
Figures 5a-5b another embodiment of specific cartridge dri ve means for di spl aci ng the used and new cartri dges accordi ng to the invention;
Figures 6, 7a-7c another embodiment of a cartridge for use in the after loader device according the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of an after loader apparatus according to the state of the art, as for example disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,048,300, which is designated generally by reference numeral 10. The after loader apparatus 10 comprises a base 12, which is preferably placed on wheels 13, a pedestal 14 and a head 16 which is vertically adjustable with respect to the pedestal 14 by means of an adjustment mechanism (not shown). An appropriate handle (not shown) may be mounted to the base or pedestal 14 for use in positioning the apparatus 10 in a desired location.
The head 16 may support a video monitor screen 18, such as an LCD touch screen display or the like. He presence and use of such screen for programming and controlling purposes may be optional.
Especially after loader devices equipped with HDR or PDR sources are not provided with a screen mounted on the head, as programming and controlling such after loader devices is performed in a control room at a different location properly shielded from the treatment room, in order to remote control the after loader.
The front or forward end of the head 16 is provided with a receptable opening 19 for removably receiving a replaceable cartridge or cassette 20.
The cartridge 20 comprises a housing 21 with a source wire opening 22 in the front wall 24 thereof, The cartridge 20 contains two elongate wires, namely, an active source wire and a durtuny test wire, each stored on a respective storage/drive drum, a radiation shield or safe and necessary sensing, monitoring and software components of the system.
Optionally, the cartridge 20 can be provided with suitable drive or transport means for advancing the source wire and/or the test wire through the source wire opening 22 through a guide tube (not shown) connected to said source wire opening towards a tumour in an animal body.
Replaceable cartridges 20 are preferably provided by the after loader manufacturer or its distributor with all components loaded and tested including the radiation source connected to said source wire, so that when a cartri dge i s i nserted i nto the receptacl a openi ng 19 and mechanically and electrically engaged with the mating system connections in the head 16, the after loader apparatus is ready for use in a medical procedure.
The medical procedure initiates with placing the after loader apparatus together with a cartridge 20 inserted into the receptable opening 19 near the patient to be treated. Prior to the radiation treatment one or more guide tubes (catheters, needles, or other closed pathways) are positioned/inserted into the patient's body in or near a cancerous tumour to be treated. Said guide tubes are connected to the source wire opening 22 (or a multiple of source wire openings) and source wire drive means (not shown) present in the cartridge 20 or in the head 16 are activated for advancing the source wire together with the radiation source through an internal guidance path within the cartridge 20, through the source wire opening 22 and through the guide tube (not shown) connected to this source wire opening 22 towards or near the tumour to be treated. Subsequently the radiation source delivers a therapeutic, predetermined dose of radiation to the tumour during specific pre-planned periods of time.
The radiation is emitted towards the tumour under the principals of radioactive decay of radioactive material. After the radi ation treatment the source wi re dri ve means retract the source wi re together with the radiation source within the cartridge 20. Subsequently the source wire can be advanced through another guide tube towards a different location near or in the tumour to be treated.. Thus dependent on the necessary pre-planned treatment it is possible to perform multiple treatment sessions with the same radioactive source on multiple, different treatment locations within a patient's body.
As the radiation emitting source presently used are radioactive sources, which continuously emits gamma radiation the cartridges 20 as presently used have a radiation shielded housing 21 in order to avoid unnecessary exposure of radiation towards the environment, in particularly to medical personal and the patient.
However due to the radioactive decay of radioactive material the radioactive sources presently used need to be replaced in regular intervals and hence the cartridge 20 containing a source wire with an used radioactive source within has to be replaced by a new cartridge 20' having a new radioactive source for future treatment purposes.
However an used source, whi ch has to be repl aced by a new source still emits gamma radiation and therefore constitutes a high health risk for the environment, especially when a HGR or PDR source is used. Therefore the replacement of the used radioactive source with a new radioactive source may only performed under well controlled conditions or circumstances and may only performed by high qualified personal. However in some radioactive treatment applications so called high doses radioactive sources (HDR sources) are used, which sources still emits a dangerous amount of radiation at the time that said source needs to be replaced.
The present invention provides a solution for exchanging an cartridge of an after loader apparatus containing an used radioactive source with another cartridge containing a new radioacaive source.
Fi gures 2A - 2D di scl ose an embodiment i n schemati c vi ews of an device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus, which device is depicted by reference number 30. Corresponding parts of the after 1 oader apparatus of Fi gure 1 are i n the Fi gures 2A -5 2D depicted by the same reference numerals.
The device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus according to the invention comprises a base on which a radiation shielded housing 32 is mounted. The radiation shielded housing 32 comprises a first compartment 34, which first compartment 34 10 in first step can be brought in alignment with the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 containing the used cartridge 20 to be replaced.
In an embodiment the housing 32 of the cartridge exchange device according to the invention can be connected with the housing 16 of the after loader apparatus 10 by suitable connection means (not shown) near point A, were the first compartment 36 is brought in alignment with the receptabl a openi ng 19 of the apparatus 10. In compartment 36 of the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 are cartridge drive means present, comprising an connection block 33 which can be connected to the cartridge 20 to be exchanged, which cartridge 20 is present in the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10.
The connection block 33 is preferably made of a suitable radiation shielded material such as tungsten, lead or another suitable material. By means of controllable drive means which are part of the cartri dge dri ve means the connecti on b1 ock 33 i s moved i n the di recti on shown in figure 2B thereby advancing the used cartridge 20 from its receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 into the first compartment 36 of the housing 32.
Due to the fact that both the exchanging device 30 and the after loader apparatus 10 are interconnected with each other near the point A were both the first compartment 36 and the receptable opening are ~, brought in alignment no risk of any radiation emitting towards the environment can occur, as the used cartridge 20 is shielded by the radiation shielded housing 16 of the after loader apparatus 10, the radiation shielded housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 and the connection block 33.
In a subsequent step the housing I6 of the after loader apparatus 10 is disconnected from the housing 32 near the first alignment point A and displaced in vertical direction along t;he pedestal 14 by means of the adjustment mechanism (not shown) as described above on the reference with Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 2C the head 16 has been displaced in vertical direction along the pedestal 14 and has been brought in alignment near point B with a second compartment, depicted with reference number 35, wherein a new cartridge 20' containing a new radioactive source is present. In a simular manner as disclosed in Figures 2A and 2B
connection means are present on the housing 32 and on the head 16 to connect the after loader apparatus 10 with the exchanging device 30 near the alignment point B, thus ensuring a proper radiation shielding and protection for the environment.
Moreover the connection block 33, as being a part of the cartridge drive means, has been brought in alignment with the second compartment 35 at the other side of the exchange device 30 near point C
as depicted in Figure 2C.
The latter is established for example by means of suitable guidance and connecting means present on the outside of the housing 32 for guiding and displacing the connection block 33 from its position as depicted in Figure 2B towards position C as depicted in Figure 2C. By advanci ng the connecti on b1 ock 33 by means of the cartri dge dri ve means into the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 the new cartridge 20' is pushed into the now empty receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10.
The situation wherein the cartridge 20' containing the new radioactive source is inserted into the receptable opening 19 is depicted in Figure 2D. Connection block 33 of the cartridge drive means is now present in the second compartment 35.
Between the first compartment 34 and the second compartment 35 a shielding plate 36 is present for providing an additional radiation shielding against high energy gamma radiation emitted by the new high dose rate radioactive source present in the cartridge 20'. Thus the additional radioactive shielding plate 35 provides an additional shielding against gamma radiation for the environment and especially during the insertion of the cartridge 20' from the compartment 35 into the receptable opening 19.
Once the new cartridge 20' has been inserted into the after loader apparatus as depicted in Figure 2D, the after loader apparatus 10 and the exchange device 30 are disconnected from each other and the after loader apparatus 10 is ready for the application of radioactive treatments, as described above.
Although in one embodiment the exchanging device 30 according to the invention is provided with suitable cartridge drive means for retracting the cartridge 20 with the used radioactive source from the receptable opening 19 into the first compartment 34 in a controlled manner, which cartridge drive means moreover displace the connection element 33 from its position depicted in Figure 2B towards his position depicted in Figure 2C, it is noted that in another embodiment the replacement of the used cartridge 20 with a new cartridge 20' can also be performed by hand, as long as the connection element 33 is connected i n i is al i gnment poi nt A wi th the used cartri dge 20, i n order to enable a smooth and easy removal of the used cartridge 20 from the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 1U.
Furthermore disclose Figures 2A-2D one or more pairs of sensor means 50a-50b and 50c-50d, which sensors are provided in the y ~
~i housing 16 of the after loader device 10 and the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30. The sensor pairs serve to obtain a proper and correct alignment between the first and second compartments 34-35 with the receptable opening 19. The correct alignment is performed by displacing the housing 16 of the after loader in vertical direction along the pedestal 14 by suitable displacement means (not shown). Once at least one of the sensors 50b senses the corresponding senso r 50a a signal is del i vered to the control means of the after l oader devi ce, whi ch abrupt the displacement of the housing 16 by controlling the displacement means.
Now both the first compartment 34 and the receptable opening 19 are brought in alignment and the connection means near point A
present on both housings 16 and 32 (see Figure 2A) can interconnect with each other.
Once the used cartridge 20 has been moved from the receptable opening 19 into the first compartment 34 (see Figure 2B), the connection means are disconnected and the housing 16 is displaced in vertical direction along the pedestal 14. At least one of the sensors 50d present on the housi ng 16 senses the presence of a corresponds ng sensor 50c present on the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 in order to obtain a correct alignment between the empty receptable opening 19 and the second compartment containing the new cartridge 20' (Point B in Figure 2C).
In a similar way the sensor 50d delivers a control signal to the control means of the after 1 oader devi ce once the sensor 50c s s sensed in order to stop the movement of the housing 16 along the pedestal 14 by means of the displacement means (Figure 2D).
Although in Figures 2A-2D only one of each sensor 50a-50d is shown, a more accurate alignment can be obtained by placing two or more sensors 50b, 50d around the receptable opening 19 in the housing 16, which plurality of sensors 54b-50d cooperate with a corresponding plurality of sensors 50a-50c present in the housing 32 of the exchanging . . CA 02423511 2003-03-26 a~ , device.
Although the sensing of sensors 50a and 50c by the sensors 50b respecti vel y 50d primari l y i s used for i nterrupti ng the movement i n vertical direction of the housing 16 of the after loader device, the sensors 50a-50d can also be used to deliver control signals to the control means of both the after loader device and the exchanging device for controlling the cartridge drive means for the automatic displacement of the used cartridge 20 from the receptable opening 19 towards the first compartment 34 and the displacement of the new cartridge 20 from the second compartment 35 towards the receptable opening 19 Figures 3A-3C show in more detail the exchanging device according to the invention. Figure 3A correspond with the figure 2A with a cartridge 20' containing a new radiation source 40', which cartridge is contained in second compartment 35 present in the housing 32 of the exchanging device according to the invention. Moreover a connection block 33 as bei ng a part of the cartri dge dri ve means i s present i n the f i rst compartment 34.
Figure 3B discloses the situation depicted in Figures 2B
and 2C, wherein the old cartridge 20 containing the used radiation source 40 is displaced from the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 (not shown) and inserted into the first compartment 34 of the radiation shielded housing 32. Figure 3C discloses the situation depi cted i n Fi gure 2D, wherei n the new cartri dge 20' has been di spl aced by the connection element 33 into the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 (not shown). The exchanging device 30, only containing the used cartridge 20 into the first compartment 34 can now be transported towards the manufacturer of the radiation source in order to perform further handling operations on the used cartridge 20 and its used radiation source 40.
Subsequently the exchanging device 30 can be prepared and provided with a new radiation source contained in a new cartridge for an future exchanging procedure.
As shown in Figures 3A-3C the cartridges 20 and 20' respectively may comprise an additional housing 21 and 21' respectively, wherein suitable source wire and source drive means 41 and 41' are 5 present. Preferably said additional housings 21 and 21' are non- or less-radiation shielded than the housing 20 and 20', as they do not contain the radioactive source nor function as a long-distance radiation source transport container for stand alone storage and transportation of the used source.
10 Thus an after loader cartridge having a significant simplified construction with reduced dimensions and weight is obtained.
Figures 4A-4B disclose an after loader device 10 according to the i nventi on, wherei n the radi ati on shi e1 di ng pant of housi ng 16 i s depicted in dashed lines. The receptable opening 19 can be closed by 15 means of part 19a of the shielding. The cartridge 20 contains one elongate wire, namely, an active source wire with a radioactive source 40 (not shown), whilst a dummy test wire 40" is contained stored inside the after loader device. Each wire 40-40" is stored on a respective storage/drive drum 41a-4Ia", each being mounted inside the cartridge 20 and the housing 16 of the after loader device, respectively. The cartridge 20 is provided with suitable drive or transport means 41 for advancing the source wire 40, whilst the after loader device comprises suitable drive or transport means 41" for advancing the test "dummy" wire 40" . Duri ng use both transport means 41-41" advances the source wi re 40 or the test wi re 40" respecti vel y through the gui dance path 22a present in the radiation shielded part 20a of the cartridge 20, through the source wire opening 22 (see also Figure 1), through a guide tube (not shown) connected to said source wire opening towards a tumour in an animal body.
The guidance path 22a is a spiral line of groove present in the cone shaped surface as shown in Figure 4B in order to ensure a proper ~ CA 02423511 2003-03-26 guidance of the wire through the cartridge towards the opening 22.
The dummy wire 40" is contained in a part 20" of the housing 16 of the after loading device, which part 20" does not be radiation shielded as the dummy wire does not contain a radioactive wire.
In order to replace or exchange the cartridge 20 the dummy wire is retracted by the wire drive means 41" prior to the removal of the cartridge 20 through the receptable opening 19.
Figures 5A-5B discloses a specific embodiment of the cartridge drive means according to the invention present in both the after loader device and the exchanging device for displacing both the used and new cartridges 20 and 20' between the receptable opening 19 and both compartments 34 and 35.
The cartridge drive means comprise at least one drivable wheel 60 for advancing both used and new cartridge 20 and 20', wherein the advancement can be performed by means of friction. The drivable wheel can thereby be brought into contact with the used or new cartridge 20 respectively 20'.
Another preferred embodiment is however disclosed in Figures 5A-5B, wherein said at least one drivable wheel of the cartridge drive means of the after loader device 10 is a toothed wheel 60' with teeth 60a', which teeth 60a' cooperates with a corresponding toothing 63a' of another wheel 63' present i n the housi ng of sai d used cartri dge 20. Said wheel 60' is driven by said toothed wheel 61', which is mounted on the drivable axis 62a of an electromotor 62'.
In a similar way contain the cartridge drive means of the exchanging device 30 at least one drivable wheel 60 with teeth 60a, which teeth 60a cooperates with the corresponding toothing 63' present in the housing of said used cartridge 20 or with the corresponding toothing 63' present i n the housi ng of the new cartri dge 20' or wi th a correspondi ng toothing 63 present in said element 33. Said wheel 60 is driven by another toothed wheel 61, which is mounted on the drivable axis 62a of an . CA 02423511 2003-03-26 electromotor 62 present in the exchanging device 30.
The control of the both motors 62-62' i s performed by the control means of either the after loader device 10 or the exchanging device 30 and is based for example on the signals delivered by the sensors 50a-50d shown and described above in combination with Figures 2A-2D. In combination with Figure 2A once the sensor 50b senses sensor 50a thereby assuring a proper alignment of the receptable opening 19 with the empty first compartment 34 the cartridge drive means of the after loader device displace the used cartridge 20 under the influence of the interaction between the toothed wheel 60' with the toothing 63' present on the used cartridge 20.
The displacement of the used cartridge 20 may be taken over by the cartridge drive means of the exchanging device (the interaction between the toothi ng 63' of the used cartri dge 20 and the toothed wheel 60 present near the first compartment).
In a similar way the cartridge drive means present near the second compartment of the exchanging device can displace a new cartridge 20' from the second compartment towards the empty receptable opening as shown i n Fi gures 2C-2D, where the di spl acement of thc~ new cartri dge 20' may be taken over by the toothed wheel 60' of the cartridge drive means of the after loader device based on signals delivered by the sensors 50c-50d.
However the displacement of each cartridge 20-20' can be performed solely by the cartridge drive means of the after loader device (for displacing the used cartridge 20 from the opening 19 towards the first compartment) or solely by the cartridge drive means present near the second compartment (for displacing the new cartridge 20' from the second compartment towards the receptable opening 19).
Furthermore according to another aspect of the invention both used and new cartridge may include means for identifying the radiation source contained in it, wherein said identification means can ~ ~ CA 02423511 2003-03-26 comprise an electronic (integrated) circuitry containing at least a memory, wherein said identification parameters can be read and stored.
Said identification parameters may include information concerning the radiation source, such as initial radioactive activity, date of calibration, radioactive half-time, serial numbers, as well as information concerning the transport means, the type of transport cable, and characteristics of the shielding.
More especially the after loader device comprises means, which cooperate with the identification means for a proper recognition, handling and operation of both the used and new cartridge, for example when performing the intended radioactive therapy treatment. Said means may read in a contact less way the essential identification parameters from the memory means in order to properly preset. and control the after loader device during therapy treatments.
In Figure 6 another embodiment is disclosed of a cartridge for use in the after loader device and exchanging device according to the invention. At present the transport or drive means for advancing the source wire together with the radioactive source are incorporated inside the housing 16 of the after loader device. Such wire transport/drive means are for example disclosed in the European patent application no.
1070519 in the name of Nucletron B.V., the application of this application.
The disclosure of the transport/drive means for the wire is herewith incorporated by reference. As shown in Figs. 7A-7C drive means for the wire 132 comprise a support plate or housing 128, a fixing plate 129, a multi-diameter shaft 130 with a top 131, a wire 132 and a wire storage wheel 133. The support plate 128 is provided with support notches 134 and 135 and a central opening 136. Support plate 128 further is provided with a straight groove 138. The height and width of groove 138 are essentially the same as the diameter of the wire 132. Multi-diameter shaft 130 comprises a top 131 of a diameter at most as large as the diameter of opening 136 in support plate 128.
Top 131 is followed by a first part of a first diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the top 131, by a second part of a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the opening 136, by a third part of a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the opening 136 and a fourth part with a still larger diameter.
Wire storage wheel or drum 133 comprises a groove 137 having a width being is equal to the diameter of the wire 132. The depth of the groove 137 is equal to several diameters of the wire 132. The radius of the groove 137 is equal to the distance from the centre of the opening 136 to the groove 138. One end of the wire is fixed in the groove 137. The wire 132 is contained in the groove 137 except for its other end. The other end of wire 132 runs from groove 137 into groove 138.
Wheel 133 is provided with two, in this exemplary embodiment diametrically opposed, notches, one of which is visible as 139. Wheel 133 can be driven by a motor (not shown) via shaft 130.
The drive means are assembled from the various parts as shown in Fig. 7A and are mounted inside the after loader device according to the state of the art. In the previous described patent application in order to reduce weight the drive means are at present manufactured from plastic.
In order to simpl i fy the exchange of the cartri dge 20 the transport/drive means for the wire are embedded inside the housing 16 of the cartridge 20 as shown in Figure 6. Because of radiation protection reasons, the parts are made from a metal and more in particularly from the same metal of the radiation shielding of the housing 16 of cartridge 20. As the drive means moreover have certain .dimensions and thus require/occupy space inside the cartridge 20, the wire drive means are according to the invention at least part of the radiation shielding of the housing 16 of cartridge 20. More in particularly the support housing 128 is made of the same material of the radiation shielding and forms an ' , CA 02423511 2003-03-26 ,t (integral) part of said shielding.
More i n parti cul ar the wi re transport means are made from tungsten, a metal with a suitable compromise between weight and effective radiation shielding.
Figures 5a-5b another embodiment of specific cartridge dri ve means for di spl aci ng the used and new cartri dges accordi ng to the invention;
Figures 6, 7a-7c another embodiment of a cartridge for use in the after loader device according the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of an after loader apparatus according to the state of the art, as for example disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,048,300, which is designated generally by reference numeral 10. The after loader apparatus 10 comprises a base 12, which is preferably placed on wheels 13, a pedestal 14 and a head 16 which is vertically adjustable with respect to the pedestal 14 by means of an adjustment mechanism (not shown). An appropriate handle (not shown) may be mounted to the base or pedestal 14 for use in positioning the apparatus 10 in a desired location.
The head 16 may support a video monitor screen 18, such as an LCD touch screen display or the like. He presence and use of such screen for programming and controlling purposes may be optional.
Especially after loader devices equipped with HDR or PDR sources are not provided with a screen mounted on the head, as programming and controlling such after loader devices is performed in a control room at a different location properly shielded from the treatment room, in order to remote control the after loader.
The front or forward end of the head 16 is provided with a receptable opening 19 for removably receiving a replaceable cartridge or cassette 20.
The cartridge 20 comprises a housing 21 with a source wire opening 22 in the front wall 24 thereof, The cartridge 20 contains two elongate wires, namely, an active source wire and a durtuny test wire, each stored on a respective storage/drive drum, a radiation shield or safe and necessary sensing, monitoring and software components of the system.
Optionally, the cartridge 20 can be provided with suitable drive or transport means for advancing the source wire and/or the test wire through the source wire opening 22 through a guide tube (not shown) connected to said source wire opening towards a tumour in an animal body.
Replaceable cartridges 20 are preferably provided by the after loader manufacturer or its distributor with all components loaded and tested including the radiation source connected to said source wire, so that when a cartri dge i s i nserted i nto the receptacl a openi ng 19 and mechanically and electrically engaged with the mating system connections in the head 16, the after loader apparatus is ready for use in a medical procedure.
The medical procedure initiates with placing the after loader apparatus together with a cartridge 20 inserted into the receptable opening 19 near the patient to be treated. Prior to the radiation treatment one or more guide tubes (catheters, needles, or other closed pathways) are positioned/inserted into the patient's body in or near a cancerous tumour to be treated. Said guide tubes are connected to the source wire opening 22 (or a multiple of source wire openings) and source wire drive means (not shown) present in the cartridge 20 or in the head 16 are activated for advancing the source wire together with the radiation source through an internal guidance path within the cartridge 20, through the source wire opening 22 and through the guide tube (not shown) connected to this source wire opening 22 towards or near the tumour to be treated. Subsequently the radiation source delivers a therapeutic, predetermined dose of radiation to the tumour during specific pre-planned periods of time.
The radiation is emitted towards the tumour under the principals of radioactive decay of radioactive material. After the radi ation treatment the source wi re dri ve means retract the source wi re together with the radiation source within the cartridge 20. Subsequently the source wire can be advanced through another guide tube towards a different location near or in the tumour to be treated.. Thus dependent on the necessary pre-planned treatment it is possible to perform multiple treatment sessions with the same radioactive source on multiple, different treatment locations within a patient's body.
As the radiation emitting source presently used are radioactive sources, which continuously emits gamma radiation the cartridges 20 as presently used have a radiation shielded housing 21 in order to avoid unnecessary exposure of radiation towards the environment, in particularly to medical personal and the patient.
However due to the radioactive decay of radioactive material the radioactive sources presently used need to be replaced in regular intervals and hence the cartridge 20 containing a source wire with an used radioactive source within has to be replaced by a new cartridge 20' having a new radioactive source for future treatment purposes.
However an used source, whi ch has to be repl aced by a new source still emits gamma radiation and therefore constitutes a high health risk for the environment, especially when a HGR or PDR source is used. Therefore the replacement of the used radioactive source with a new radioactive source may only performed under well controlled conditions or circumstances and may only performed by high qualified personal. However in some radioactive treatment applications so called high doses radioactive sources (HDR sources) are used, which sources still emits a dangerous amount of radiation at the time that said source needs to be replaced.
The present invention provides a solution for exchanging an cartridge of an after loader apparatus containing an used radioactive source with another cartridge containing a new radioacaive source.
Fi gures 2A - 2D di scl ose an embodiment i n schemati c vi ews of an device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus, which device is depicted by reference number 30. Corresponding parts of the after 1 oader apparatus of Fi gure 1 are i n the Fi gures 2A -5 2D depicted by the same reference numerals.
The device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus according to the invention comprises a base on which a radiation shielded housing 32 is mounted. The radiation shielded housing 32 comprises a first compartment 34, which first compartment 34 10 in first step can be brought in alignment with the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 containing the used cartridge 20 to be replaced.
In an embodiment the housing 32 of the cartridge exchange device according to the invention can be connected with the housing 16 of the after loader apparatus 10 by suitable connection means (not shown) near point A, were the first compartment 36 is brought in alignment with the receptabl a openi ng 19 of the apparatus 10. In compartment 36 of the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 are cartridge drive means present, comprising an connection block 33 which can be connected to the cartridge 20 to be exchanged, which cartridge 20 is present in the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10.
The connection block 33 is preferably made of a suitable radiation shielded material such as tungsten, lead or another suitable material. By means of controllable drive means which are part of the cartri dge dri ve means the connecti on b1 ock 33 i s moved i n the di recti on shown in figure 2B thereby advancing the used cartridge 20 from its receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 into the first compartment 36 of the housing 32.
Due to the fact that both the exchanging device 30 and the after loader apparatus 10 are interconnected with each other near the point A were both the first compartment 36 and the receptable opening are ~, brought in alignment no risk of any radiation emitting towards the environment can occur, as the used cartridge 20 is shielded by the radiation shielded housing 16 of the after loader apparatus 10, the radiation shielded housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 and the connection block 33.
In a subsequent step the housing I6 of the after loader apparatus 10 is disconnected from the housing 32 near the first alignment point A and displaced in vertical direction along t;he pedestal 14 by means of the adjustment mechanism (not shown) as described above on the reference with Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 2C the head 16 has been displaced in vertical direction along the pedestal 14 and has been brought in alignment near point B with a second compartment, depicted with reference number 35, wherein a new cartridge 20' containing a new radioactive source is present. In a simular manner as disclosed in Figures 2A and 2B
connection means are present on the housing 32 and on the head 16 to connect the after loader apparatus 10 with the exchanging device 30 near the alignment point B, thus ensuring a proper radiation shielding and protection for the environment.
Moreover the connection block 33, as being a part of the cartridge drive means, has been brought in alignment with the second compartment 35 at the other side of the exchange device 30 near point C
as depicted in Figure 2C.
The latter is established for example by means of suitable guidance and connecting means present on the outside of the housing 32 for guiding and displacing the connection block 33 from its position as depicted in Figure 2B towards position C as depicted in Figure 2C. By advanci ng the connecti on b1 ock 33 by means of the cartri dge dri ve means into the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 the new cartridge 20' is pushed into the now empty receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10.
The situation wherein the cartridge 20' containing the new radioactive source is inserted into the receptable opening 19 is depicted in Figure 2D. Connection block 33 of the cartridge drive means is now present in the second compartment 35.
Between the first compartment 34 and the second compartment 35 a shielding plate 36 is present for providing an additional radiation shielding against high energy gamma radiation emitted by the new high dose rate radioactive source present in the cartridge 20'. Thus the additional radioactive shielding plate 35 provides an additional shielding against gamma radiation for the environment and especially during the insertion of the cartridge 20' from the compartment 35 into the receptable opening 19.
Once the new cartridge 20' has been inserted into the after loader apparatus as depicted in Figure 2D, the after loader apparatus 10 and the exchange device 30 are disconnected from each other and the after loader apparatus 10 is ready for the application of radioactive treatments, as described above.
Although in one embodiment the exchanging device 30 according to the invention is provided with suitable cartridge drive means for retracting the cartridge 20 with the used radioactive source from the receptable opening 19 into the first compartment 34 in a controlled manner, which cartridge drive means moreover displace the connection element 33 from its position depicted in Figure 2B towards his position depicted in Figure 2C, it is noted that in another embodiment the replacement of the used cartridge 20 with a new cartridge 20' can also be performed by hand, as long as the connection element 33 is connected i n i is al i gnment poi nt A wi th the used cartri dge 20, i n order to enable a smooth and easy removal of the used cartridge 20 from the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 1U.
Furthermore disclose Figures 2A-2D one or more pairs of sensor means 50a-50b and 50c-50d, which sensors are provided in the y ~
~i housing 16 of the after loader device 10 and the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30. The sensor pairs serve to obtain a proper and correct alignment between the first and second compartments 34-35 with the receptable opening 19. The correct alignment is performed by displacing the housing 16 of the after loader in vertical direction along the pedestal 14 by suitable displacement means (not shown). Once at least one of the sensors 50b senses the corresponding senso r 50a a signal is del i vered to the control means of the after l oader devi ce, whi ch abrupt the displacement of the housing 16 by controlling the displacement means.
Now both the first compartment 34 and the receptable opening 19 are brought in alignment and the connection means near point A
present on both housings 16 and 32 (see Figure 2A) can interconnect with each other.
Once the used cartridge 20 has been moved from the receptable opening 19 into the first compartment 34 (see Figure 2B), the connection means are disconnected and the housing 16 is displaced in vertical direction along the pedestal 14. At least one of the sensors 50d present on the housi ng 16 senses the presence of a corresponds ng sensor 50c present on the housing 32 of the exchanging device 30 in order to obtain a correct alignment between the empty receptable opening 19 and the second compartment containing the new cartridge 20' (Point B in Figure 2C).
In a similar way the sensor 50d delivers a control signal to the control means of the after 1 oader devi ce once the sensor 50c s s sensed in order to stop the movement of the housing 16 along the pedestal 14 by means of the displacement means (Figure 2D).
Although in Figures 2A-2D only one of each sensor 50a-50d is shown, a more accurate alignment can be obtained by placing two or more sensors 50b, 50d around the receptable opening 19 in the housing 16, which plurality of sensors 54b-50d cooperate with a corresponding plurality of sensors 50a-50c present in the housing 32 of the exchanging . . CA 02423511 2003-03-26 a~ , device.
Although the sensing of sensors 50a and 50c by the sensors 50b respecti vel y 50d primari l y i s used for i nterrupti ng the movement i n vertical direction of the housing 16 of the after loader device, the sensors 50a-50d can also be used to deliver control signals to the control means of both the after loader device and the exchanging device for controlling the cartridge drive means for the automatic displacement of the used cartridge 20 from the receptable opening 19 towards the first compartment 34 and the displacement of the new cartridge 20 from the second compartment 35 towards the receptable opening 19 Figures 3A-3C show in more detail the exchanging device according to the invention. Figure 3A correspond with the figure 2A with a cartridge 20' containing a new radiation source 40', which cartridge is contained in second compartment 35 present in the housing 32 of the exchanging device according to the invention. Moreover a connection block 33 as bei ng a part of the cartri dge dri ve means i s present i n the f i rst compartment 34.
Figure 3B discloses the situation depicted in Figures 2B
and 2C, wherein the old cartridge 20 containing the used radiation source 40 is displaced from the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 (not shown) and inserted into the first compartment 34 of the radiation shielded housing 32. Figure 3C discloses the situation depi cted i n Fi gure 2D, wherei n the new cartri dge 20' has been di spl aced by the connection element 33 into the receptable opening 19 of the after loader apparatus 10 (not shown). The exchanging device 30, only containing the used cartridge 20 into the first compartment 34 can now be transported towards the manufacturer of the radiation source in order to perform further handling operations on the used cartridge 20 and its used radiation source 40.
Subsequently the exchanging device 30 can be prepared and provided with a new radiation source contained in a new cartridge for an future exchanging procedure.
As shown in Figures 3A-3C the cartridges 20 and 20' respectively may comprise an additional housing 21 and 21' respectively, wherein suitable source wire and source drive means 41 and 41' are 5 present. Preferably said additional housings 21 and 21' are non- or less-radiation shielded than the housing 20 and 20', as they do not contain the radioactive source nor function as a long-distance radiation source transport container for stand alone storage and transportation of the used source.
10 Thus an after loader cartridge having a significant simplified construction with reduced dimensions and weight is obtained.
Figures 4A-4B disclose an after loader device 10 according to the i nventi on, wherei n the radi ati on shi e1 di ng pant of housi ng 16 i s depicted in dashed lines. The receptable opening 19 can be closed by 15 means of part 19a of the shielding. The cartridge 20 contains one elongate wire, namely, an active source wire with a radioactive source 40 (not shown), whilst a dummy test wire 40" is contained stored inside the after loader device. Each wire 40-40" is stored on a respective storage/drive drum 41a-4Ia", each being mounted inside the cartridge 20 and the housing 16 of the after loader device, respectively. The cartridge 20 is provided with suitable drive or transport means 41 for advancing the source wire 40, whilst the after loader device comprises suitable drive or transport means 41" for advancing the test "dummy" wire 40" . Duri ng use both transport means 41-41" advances the source wi re 40 or the test wi re 40" respecti vel y through the gui dance path 22a present in the radiation shielded part 20a of the cartridge 20, through the source wire opening 22 (see also Figure 1), through a guide tube (not shown) connected to said source wire opening towards a tumour in an animal body.
The guidance path 22a is a spiral line of groove present in the cone shaped surface as shown in Figure 4B in order to ensure a proper ~ CA 02423511 2003-03-26 guidance of the wire through the cartridge towards the opening 22.
The dummy wire 40" is contained in a part 20" of the housing 16 of the after loading device, which part 20" does not be radiation shielded as the dummy wire does not contain a radioactive wire.
In order to replace or exchange the cartridge 20 the dummy wire is retracted by the wire drive means 41" prior to the removal of the cartridge 20 through the receptable opening 19.
Figures 5A-5B discloses a specific embodiment of the cartridge drive means according to the invention present in both the after loader device and the exchanging device for displacing both the used and new cartridges 20 and 20' between the receptable opening 19 and both compartments 34 and 35.
The cartridge drive means comprise at least one drivable wheel 60 for advancing both used and new cartridge 20 and 20', wherein the advancement can be performed by means of friction. The drivable wheel can thereby be brought into contact with the used or new cartridge 20 respectively 20'.
Another preferred embodiment is however disclosed in Figures 5A-5B, wherein said at least one drivable wheel of the cartridge drive means of the after loader device 10 is a toothed wheel 60' with teeth 60a', which teeth 60a' cooperates with a corresponding toothing 63a' of another wheel 63' present i n the housi ng of sai d used cartri dge 20. Said wheel 60' is driven by said toothed wheel 61', which is mounted on the drivable axis 62a of an electromotor 62'.
In a similar way contain the cartridge drive means of the exchanging device 30 at least one drivable wheel 60 with teeth 60a, which teeth 60a cooperates with the corresponding toothing 63' present in the housing of said used cartridge 20 or with the corresponding toothing 63' present i n the housi ng of the new cartri dge 20' or wi th a correspondi ng toothing 63 present in said element 33. Said wheel 60 is driven by another toothed wheel 61, which is mounted on the drivable axis 62a of an . CA 02423511 2003-03-26 electromotor 62 present in the exchanging device 30.
The control of the both motors 62-62' i s performed by the control means of either the after loader device 10 or the exchanging device 30 and is based for example on the signals delivered by the sensors 50a-50d shown and described above in combination with Figures 2A-2D. In combination with Figure 2A once the sensor 50b senses sensor 50a thereby assuring a proper alignment of the receptable opening 19 with the empty first compartment 34 the cartridge drive means of the after loader device displace the used cartridge 20 under the influence of the interaction between the toothed wheel 60' with the toothing 63' present on the used cartridge 20.
The displacement of the used cartridge 20 may be taken over by the cartridge drive means of the exchanging device (the interaction between the toothi ng 63' of the used cartri dge 20 and the toothed wheel 60 present near the first compartment).
In a similar way the cartridge drive means present near the second compartment of the exchanging device can displace a new cartridge 20' from the second compartment towards the empty receptable opening as shown i n Fi gures 2C-2D, where the di spl acement of thc~ new cartri dge 20' may be taken over by the toothed wheel 60' of the cartridge drive means of the after loader device based on signals delivered by the sensors 50c-50d.
However the displacement of each cartridge 20-20' can be performed solely by the cartridge drive means of the after loader device (for displacing the used cartridge 20 from the opening 19 towards the first compartment) or solely by the cartridge drive means present near the second compartment (for displacing the new cartridge 20' from the second compartment towards the receptable opening 19).
Furthermore according to another aspect of the invention both used and new cartridge may include means for identifying the radiation source contained in it, wherein said identification means can ~ ~ CA 02423511 2003-03-26 comprise an electronic (integrated) circuitry containing at least a memory, wherein said identification parameters can be read and stored.
Said identification parameters may include information concerning the radiation source, such as initial radioactive activity, date of calibration, radioactive half-time, serial numbers, as well as information concerning the transport means, the type of transport cable, and characteristics of the shielding.
More especially the after loader device comprises means, which cooperate with the identification means for a proper recognition, handling and operation of both the used and new cartridge, for example when performing the intended radioactive therapy treatment. Said means may read in a contact less way the essential identification parameters from the memory means in order to properly preset. and control the after loader device during therapy treatments.
In Figure 6 another embodiment is disclosed of a cartridge for use in the after loader device and exchanging device according to the invention. At present the transport or drive means for advancing the source wire together with the radioactive source are incorporated inside the housing 16 of the after loader device. Such wire transport/drive means are for example disclosed in the European patent application no.
1070519 in the name of Nucletron B.V., the application of this application.
The disclosure of the transport/drive means for the wire is herewith incorporated by reference. As shown in Figs. 7A-7C drive means for the wire 132 comprise a support plate or housing 128, a fixing plate 129, a multi-diameter shaft 130 with a top 131, a wire 132 and a wire storage wheel 133. The support plate 128 is provided with support notches 134 and 135 and a central opening 136. Support plate 128 further is provided with a straight groove 138. The height and width of groove 138 are essentially the same as the diameter of the wire 132. Multi-diameter shaft 130 comprises a top 131 of a diameter at most as large as the diameter of opening 136 in support plate 128.
Top 131 is followed by a first part of a first diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the top 131, by a second part of a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the opening 136, by a third part of a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the opening 136 and a fourth part with a still larger diameter.
Wire storage wheel or drum 133 comprises a groove 137 having a width being is equal to the diameter of the wire 132. The depth of the groove 137 is equal to several diameters of the wire 132. The radius of the groove 137 is equal to the distance from the centre of the opening 136 to the groove 138. One end of the wire is fixed in the groove 137. The wire 132 is contained in the groove 137 except for its other end. The other end of wire 132 runs from groove 137 into groove 138.
Wheel 133 is provided with two, in this exemplary embodiment diametrically opposed, notches, one of which is visible as 139. Wheel 133 can be driven by a motor (not shown) via shaft 130.
The drive means are assembled from the various parts as shown in Fig. 7A and are mounted inside the after loader device according to the state of the art. In the previous described patent application in order to reduce weight the drive means are at present manufactured from plastic.
In order to simpl i fy the exchange of the cartri dge 20 the transport/drive means for the wire are embedded inside the housing 16 of the cartridge 20 as shown in Figure 6. Because of radiation protection reasons, the parts are made from a metal and more in particularly from the same metal of the radiation shielding of the housing 16 of cartridge 20. As the drive means moreover have certain .dimensions and thus require/occupy space inside the cartridge 20, the wire drive means are according to the invention at least part of the radiation shielding of the housing 16 of cartridge 20. More in particularly the support housing 128 is made of the same material of the radiation shielding and forms an ' , CA 02423511 2003-03-26 ,t (integral) part of said shielding.
More i n parti cul ar the wi re transport means are made from tungsten, a metal with a suitable compromise between weight and effective radiation shielding.
Claims (30)
1. After loader apparatus for treatment of tumours in an animal body comprising a housing with:
- at least one exchangeable radiation source connected to a first end of - a transport cable, which cable is connected with its other end to - transport means for advancing said transport cable and said radiation source through a guide tube to and from a tumour in said body, where at least the radiation source and the transport cable are mounted in an exchangeable radiation shielded after loader cartridge, which cartridge can be placed in a suitable receptable opening present in said housing, characterized in that for exchanging said radiation source after use an exchanging device is present for, in a first step, removing the cartridge with the used radiation source from said receptable opening and, in a second step, inserting a further cartridge containing a new radiation source in said receptable opening.
- at least one exchangeable radiation source connected to a first end of - a transport cable, which cable is connected with its other end to - transport means for advancing said transport cable and said radiation source through a guide tube to and from a tumour in said body, where at least the radiation source and the transport cable are mounted in an exchangeable radiation shielded after loader cartridge, which cartridge can be placed in a suitable receptable opening present in said housing, characterized in that for exchanging said radiation source after use an exchanging device is present for, in a first step, removing the cartridge with the used radiation source from said receptable opening and, in a second step, inserting a further cartridge containing a new radiation source in said receptable opening.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said exchanging device comprises connection means, which can cooperate with corresponding connection means present on the housing of the apparatus for connecting said exchanging device to said apparatus.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said corresponding connection means are mounted around said receptable opening.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that both the connection means and the corresponding connection means comprise means for aligning the exchanging device with the receptable opening.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said aligning means comprise alignment sensors present on the housings of both the apparatus as the exchanging device.
6. Apparatus according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said exchanging device and/or said apparatus comprise cartridge drive means for advancing both used and new cartridge from and in said receptable opening.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said cartridge drive means comprise a connection element to be brought in contact with both used and new cartridge.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said cartridge drive means comprise at least one drivable wheel for advancing both used and new cartridge.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said at least one drivable wheel advances said used and new cartridge by friction.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said at 1 east one drivable a wheel is a toothed wheel, which cooperates with a corresponding toothing present on said used and new cartridge.
11. Apparatus according to anyone of the claims 2-10, characterized in that said exchanging device comprises means for moving each of said two compartments within said device to a position adjacent to said receptable opening.
12. Apparatus according to anyone of the claims 2-10, characterized in that said apparatus comprises means for moving said receptable opening to a position adjacent to one of said two compartments.
13. Apparatus according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transport means are present in each after loader cartridge.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that said transport means are part from the radiation shielding of said cartridge.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that said transport means are made from the same material as the radiation shielding.
16. Apparatus according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that both used and new cartridge include means for identifying the radiation source contained in it.
17. Apparatus according to the claim 16, characterized in that said identification means comprise an electronic memory, wherein identification parameters are stored.
18. Apparatus according to the claim 16 or 17, characterized in that said identification parameters may include information concerning the radiation source, such as initial radioactive activity, date of calibration, radioactive half-time, serial numbers, as well as information concerning the transport means, the type of transport cable, characteristics of the shielding.
19. Apparatus according to anyone of the claims 16-18, characterized in that said apparatus comprises means, which cooperate with the identification means for a proper recognition, handling and operation of both the used and new cartridge.
20. Device for exchanging an after loader cartridge in an after loader apparatus for treatment of tumours in an animal body, which cartridge is mounted in a receptable opening present in the housing of said irradiation apparatus and containing at least one radiation source and a transport wire, characterized in that said device comprises a radiation shielded housing with a first empty compartment for, in use, receiving said used after loader cartridge mounted in said receptable opening and a second compartment containing a further cartridge with a new radiation source to be inserted in the, now empty, receptable opening.
21. Exchanging device according to claim 20, characterized in that said device comprises connection means for connecting the housing of the device to the housing of the after loader apparatus, such that said compartments are adjacent to said receptable opening.
22. Exchanging device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that both the connection means comprise means for aligning the exchanging device with the receptable opening.
23. Exchanging device according to claim 22, characterized in that said aligning means comprise alignment sensors present on the housings of the exchanging device.
24. Exchanging device according to anyone of the claims 20-23, characterized in that cartridge drive means are present for advancing both used and new cartridge from and in said receptable opening.
25. Exchanging device according to claim 24, characterized in that said cartridge drive means comprise a connection element to be brought in contact with both used and new cartridge.
26. Exchanging device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that said cartridge drive means comprise at least one drivable wheel for advancing both used and new cartridge.
27. Exchanging device according to claim 26, characterized in that said at least one drivable wheel advances said used and new cartridge by friction.
28. Exchanging device according to claim 26, characterized in that said at least one drivable wheel is a toothed wheel, which cooperates with a corresponding toothing present on said used and new cartridge.
29. Exchanging device according to anyone of the claims 20-28, characterized in that compartment drive means are present for moving each of said two compartments within the device to a position adjacent to said receptable opening.
30. Exchanging device according to anyone of the claims 20-29, characterized in that the wall within the housing separating the both compartments is made of a radiation shielded material, e.g. lead.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP02076190A EP1348464B1 (en) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-03-27 | After loader apparatus, cartridge as well as a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge. |
| EP02076190.4 | 2002-03-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2423511A1 true CA2423511A1 (en) | 2003-09-27 |
Family
ID=27798883
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002423511A Abandoned CA2423511A1 (en) | 2002-03-27 | 2003-03-26 | After loader apparatus as well as a device for exchanging an after loader cartridge |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US7097609B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1348464B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP4340462B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE295202T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2003202531B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2423511A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE60204114T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2242821T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATE546756T1 (en) * | 2007-01-26 | 2012-03-15 | Nitto Denko Corp | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF A LIGHT DIFFRACTING DEVICE |
| US20090173667A1 (en) * | 2008-01-03 | 2009-07-09 | Colorado Seminary | High power microwave petroleum refinement |
| US20090247854A1 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2009-10-01 | Nellcor Puritan Bennett Llc | Retractable Sensor Cable For A Pulse Oximeter |
| US8961437B2 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2015-02-24 | Youhanna Al-Tawil | Mouth guard for detecting and monitoring bite pressures |
| DE102011077637A1 (en) * | 2011-06-16 | 2012-12-20 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. Kg | Source holder |
| US9370668B2 (en) * | 2011-12-21 | 2016-06-21 | Best Cure Foundation, Inc. | Apparatus and method to visually view high-dose-radiation apparatus used to verify quality assurance |
| RU174436U1 (en) * | 2016-12-30 | 2017-10-12 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Технологии радиотерапии" | INSERT FOR RADIATION PROTECTIVE STORAGE OF THE GAMMA-THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS |
| US11383099B2 (en) * | 2018-12-18 | 2022-07-12 | Nucletron Operations B.V. | Wireless afterloader |
| US20230115801A1 (en) * | 2020-01-31 | 2023-04-13 | University Of Iowa Research Foundation | Modular Remote Afterloader For Brachytherapy Delivery And Cartridge For Same |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5147282A (en) * | 1989-05-04 | 1992-09-15 | William Kan | Irradiation loading apparatus |
| US5851172A (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1998-12-22 | Omnitron International, Inc. | Afterloader with active force feedback |
| DE19525811A1 (en) | 1995-07-15 | 1997-01-16 | Sauerwein Isotopen Tech | X=ray image system with varying pixel supply voltages for zoom control - uses amorphous silicon photodiode detectors with means for choice of different image recording speed and corresp. resolution |
| US6048300A (en) | 1997-07-03 | 2000-04-11 | Guidant Corporation | Compact cartridge for afterloader |
| US6472675B2 (en) * | 2000-12-15 | 2002-10-29 | Theragenics Corporation | Container for storing and shipping needle cartridges |
-
2002
- 2002-03-27 DE DE60204114T patent/DE60204114T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-03-27 AT AT02076190T patent/ATE295202T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-03-27 EP EP02076190A patent/EP1348464B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-03-27 ES ES02076190T patent/ES2242821T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2003
- 2003-03-07 US US10/382,511 patent/US7097609B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-03-26 JP JP2003085884A patent/JP4340462B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-03-26 AU AU2003202531A patent/AU2003202531B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2003-03-26 CA CA002423511A patent/CA2423511A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP4340462B2 (en) | 2009-10-07 |
| ES2242821T3 (en) | 2005-11-16 |
| AU2003202531B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
| US7097609B2 (en) | 2006-08-29 |
| DE60204114T2 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
| US20040024284A1 (en) | 2004-02-05 |
| AU2003202531A1 (en) | 2003-10-23 |
| DE60204114D1 (en) | 2005-06-16 |
| ATE295202T1 (en) | 2005-05-15 |
| EP1348464B1 (en) | 2005-05-11 |
| EP1348464A1 (en) | 2003-10-01 |
| JP2004000524A (en) | 2004-01-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |