초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a device for simultaneously treating a tumor or cancerous growth with both hyperthermia and X-ray radiation using brachytherapy. The device includes a needle-like introducer serving as a microwave antenna. Microwaves are emitted from the introducer to increase the te

The present invention relates to a device for simultaneously treating a tumor or cancerous growth with both hyperthermia and X-ray radiation using brachytherapy. The device includes a needle-like introducer serving as a microwave antenna. Microwaves are emitted from the introducer to increase the temperature of cancerous body tissue. The introducer is an inner conductor of a coaxial cable. The introducer contains a hollow core which houses an X-ray emitter. The X-ray emitter is connected to a high voltage miniature cable which extends from the X-ray emitter to a high voltage power source. The X-ray emitter emits ionizing radiation to irradiate cancerous tissue. A cooling system is included to control the temperature of the introducer. Temperature sensors placed around the periphery of the tumor monitor the temperature of the treated tissue.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for treatment of a tumor comprising:an introducer having a central axis and a hollow core; a miniature X-ray emitter capable of being disposed in said hollow core and movable along said central axis within said introducer; a microwave antenna for radiating microwave energy capable of

1. An apparatus for treatment of a tumor comprising:an introducer having a central axis and a hollow core; a miniature X-ray emitter capable of being disposed in said hollow core and movable along said central axis within said introducer; a microwave antenna for radiating microwave energy capable of being disposed in said hollow core and movable along said central axis within said introducer independent of said X-ray emitter; and means for cooling said introducer. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said microwave antenna and said miniature X-ray simultaneously occupy said introducer.3. An apparatus for treatment of a tumor comprising:an introducer having a central axis and a hollow core; a miniature X-ray emitter capable of being disposed in said hollow core; a microwave antenna for radiating microwave energy capable of being disposed in said hollow core and movable within said introducer; means for cooling said introducer; and push-pull devices, wherein said microwave antenna and said X-ray emitter are connected to said push-pull devices such that said antenna and said X-ray emitter can be advanced or retracted in said introducer. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cooling means is a liquid, said liquid being pumped into said hollow core of said introducer though an inlet and exiting said hollow core through an outlet.5. An apparatus for treatment of a tumor comprising:an introducer having a central axis and a hollow core; a miniature X-ray emitter capable of being disposed in said hollow core; a microwave antenna for radiating microwave energy capable of being disposed in said hollow core and movable within said introducer; means for cooling said introducer; and a leg having a leg lumen, wherein said leg lumen is fluidly connected to said hollow core of said introducer, and wherein said X-ray emitter and said microwave antenna are capable of being advanced from said leg lumen into said hollow core of said introducer. 6. An apparatus for treatment of tumors, comprising:an introducer having a central axis and a hollow core; a miniature X-ray emitter capable of being disposed in said hollow core; means for radiating microwave energy, wherein said means for radiating microwave energy is a microwave antenna capable of being disposed in said hollow core; an X-ray leg having a lumen, said X-ray leg being coupled to said introducer, said X-ray emitter being disposed in said lumen of said X-ray leg and capable of being advanced from said lumen of said X-ray leg into said hollow core of said introducer; a microwave leg having a lumen, said microwave leg being coupled to said introducer, said microwave antenna being disposed in said lumen of said microwave leg and capable of being advanced from said lumen of said microwave leg into said hollow core of said introducer; and means for cooling said introducer. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said microwave antenna is movable along said central axis.8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said X-ray emitter is movable along said central axis.9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:a push-pull mechanism for advancing and retracting said X-ray emitter within said introducer. 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said X-ray emitter comprises a cathode, an anode and an insulating shell.11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said introducer is in the shape of a needle.12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for cooling is a fluid, wherein said fluid is pumped into said hollow core of said introducer through an inlet and exits said hollow core through an outlet.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said fluid is water or saline solution.14. An apparatus for treatment of tumors comprising:a miniature X-ray emitter; a microwave generator coupled to an antenna; an introducer with a hollow core having a distal end adapted for placement into a tumor and a proximal end having first and second hollow legs communicating with said hollow core of said introducer, said first hollow leg being adapted for receiving said miniature X-ray emitter and said second hollow leg being adapted for receiving said microwave antenna, wherein said microwave antenna is movable inside said hollow core of said introducer from said second leg to said distal end of said introducer; and means for cooling said introducer. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising a push-pull mechanism for advancing said microwave antenna within said introducer from said second leg to the distal end of said introducer.16. A method of treating a tumor, comprising the steps of:(a) introducing an introducer to the proximity of the tumor, said introducer having a distal end and a hollow core, said hollow core communicating with first and second hollow legs connected proximally to said introducer, said introducer adapted for accepting into said distal end an X-ray catheter advanced from said first leg or a microwave antenna advanced from said second leg; (b) advancing said X-ray catheter into said introducer, irradiating the tumor, and retracting said x-ray catheter from said introducer; (c) advancing said microwave antenna into said introducer, emitting microwave energy into said tumor and retracting said microwave antenna from said introducer; and (d) cooling said introducer during steps (b) and (c). 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of measuring the temperature about the periphery of the tumor prior to said step (c).18. The method of claim 16, wherein said x-ray catheter is moved into a plurality of positions along said introducer for irradiating the tumor.19. The method of claim 16, wherein said microwave antenna is moved into plurality of positions along said introducer for emitting microwave energy.20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said X-ray emitter comprises a cathode, an anode and an insulating shell.21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for cooling is a liquid, wherein said liquid is pumped into said hollow core of said introducer through an inlet and exits said hollow core through an outlet.22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said liquid is water or saline solution.