FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to methods and applicators for use in treating proliferative tissue disorders, and more particularly to an apparatus for the treatment of such disorders in a load-bearing region of a patient by the application of radiation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Malignant tumors are often treated by surgical resection of the tumor to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Infiltration of the tumor cells into normal tissue surrounding the tumor, however, can limit the therapeutic value of surgical resection because the infiltration can be difficult or impossible to treat surgically. Radiation therapy can be used to supplement surgical resection by targeting the residual malignant cells after resection, with the goal of sterilizing them, reducing the rate of recurrence or delaying the time to recurrence. Radiation therapy can be administered through one of several methods, or a combination of methods, including permanent or temporary interstitial brachytherapy, and external-beam radiation.

Brachytherapy refers to radiation therapy delivered by a spatially confined source of therapeutic rays inserted into the body at or near a tumor or other proliferative tissue disease site. For example, brachytherapy can be performed by implanting radiation sources directly into the tissue to be treated. Brachytherapy is most appropriate where 1) malignant tumor regrowth occurs locally, within 2 or 3 cm of the original boundary of the primary tumor site; 2) radiation therapy is a proven treatment for controlling the growth of the malignant tumor; and 3) there is a radiation dose-response relationship for the malignant tumor, but the dose that can be given safely

with conventional external beam radiotherapy is limited by the tolerance or normal tissue. In brachytherapy, radiation doses are highest in close proximity to the radiotherapeutic source, providing a high tumor dose while sparing surrounding normal tissue.

Prior art brachytherapy devices have provided a number of advancements in the delivery of radiation to target tissue. For example, Winkler U. S. patent no. 6,413, 204 describes a brachytherapy method and apparatus for treating tissue surrounding a surgically excised tumor with radioactive emissions to kill cancer cells that may be present in the tissue surrounding the excised tumor. The radiation is delivered in a predetermined dose range defined as being between a minimum prescribed absorbed dose for delivering therapeutic effects to tissue that may include cancer cells, and a maximum prescribed absorbed dose above which healthy tissue necrosis may result.

The resulting treatment helps to prevent over-exposure to tissue at or near the brachytherapy device, while still delivering the minimum prescribed dose at the maximum prescribed distance from the device.

Brachytherapy is useful for treating malignant brain and breast tumors, among others. However, malignant tumors in other regions of the body, such as load bearing regions, can provide particular challenges. For example, malignant tumors related to the spinal column often require surgical resection followed by stabilization to promote proper healing. Surgical stabilization can be performed in an open procedure where a surgeon places the patient's bone, bones, or other load bearing structure in a desired position that remains stable while the patient is located in the operating room.

Additionally, stabilization devices such as cages used in spinal fusion procedures can be implanted to stabilize the load-bearing region. Still further, the stabilization could be achieved using expandable bodies such as those described in United States Patent No.

6,248, 110 entitled"Systems and Methods for Treating Fractured or Diseased Bone Using Expandable Bodies, "issued on June 19,2001 to Reiley et al. , which patent is hereby incorporated by reference.

Treatments utilizing such expandable bodies for stabilization include insertion of the expandable body (e. g. , a balloon) to compress cancellous bone and provide an interior cavity. For example, the expandable body can be inflated inside a damaged or weakened vertebral body. The interior cavity then receives a filling material, such as a

cement-like material, which hardens and provides renewed structural support.

Unfortunately, such procedures limit the access of traditional balloon catheter devices used to deliver brachytherapy radiation to soft tissue.

As such, while advancements have improved the treatment of proliferative tissue diseases, some challenges remain. In particular, delivering brachytherapy radiation to the load bearing aspects of a patient's body (e. g. , tissue of or adjacent to vertebral bodies) in combination with a stabilization procedure has proven difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Disclosed herein is a brachytherapy applicator and methods of treating metastases within a load bearing portion of a patient's body. The brachytherapy applicator is adapted for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target area that includes bony tissue, particularly in association with stabilization treatments. Fixation elements on the applicator can secure the device in position relative to target tissue and provide a stable platform for delivering radiation.

In one aspect, the brachytherapy applicator comprises an elongate tube body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an open internal area. One or more radiation sources provided within the internal area can deliver a therapeutic dose. In addition, a fixation element can be located on an outer portion of the tube. In one exemplary embodiment, the fixation element is a bone attachment element including a bone screw thread provided on a closed distal end of the tube body.

In another embodiment, the outer surface of the tube includes an attachment element adapted to fix the applicator within a filling material after the filling material hardens. For example, such attachment elements include one or more barbs or a depression in the tube body that can receive filling material prior to hardening.

The proximal end of the applicator can include an opening to the internal area and a resealable end cap covering the opening. In one aspect, the end cap is detachable.

In addition, the proximal end of the applicator can mate with a catheter for delivery (or removal) of a radiation source to (from) the open internal area.

In another aspect of the applicator, the applicator body includes a bifurcated arm that is positionable at an angle with respect to the hollow tube. The bifurcated arm can include a radiation source configured to provide a therapeutic radiation dose. In one embodiment, the bifurcated arm allows the applicator to deliver an asymmetric dose of radiation to an irregularly shaped vertebral body.

A method for treating proliferative tissue disorders in a load-bearing region is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an applicator comprising an elongate tube body having a proximal and a distal end, where the tube body defines an open internal area. Additional steps include implanting the applicator, positioning a radiation source within the internal area, and providing a therapeutic dose of radiation.

In one embodiment, the step of positioning the radiation source occurs before implanting the applicator. In another embodiment, the step of positioning a radiation source occurs after the step of implanting. For example, a catheter can be mated to the applicator after implantation and a radiation source can be delivered through the catheter.

In another embodiment, a brachytherapy applicator and method of use is disclosed. The brachytherapy applicator can be used with radiation sources that are permanently embedded in the applicator, temporarily placed in the applicator for several days (low dose rate, LDR, brachytherapy) or only several minutes (high dose rate, HDR, brachytherapy). The brachytherapy applicator can be adapted for any sort of HDR brachytherapy, such as, for example, urethral strictures, spinal lesions, interstitial (e. g., breast, soft tissue, sarcomas, etc.), endobronchial, and other intracavitary brachytherapies. The applicator includes a radiation containing body defining an internal volume and one or more radiation sources provided within the internal volume.

The radiation source is a photon source, and in one aspect, provides less than about 100 keV. In another aspect, the radiation source provides energy in the range of about 25 keV to 80 keV.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the brachytherapy applicator designed for delivering therapeutic radiation to a load bearing region; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the brachytherapy applicator ; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the brachytherapy applicator; FIG. 6 is a perspective, sectional view of the applicator of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a side view of the brachytherapy applicator with a bifurcated arm; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a side view of the brachytherapy applicator with bifurcated arm in an extended position; and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

In general, disclosed herein are methods and devices for the delivery of radiation therapy to load-bearing portions of a patient's body. In one aspect, a brachytherapy applicator for delivering brachytherapy radiation to a load-bearing region, particularly a load bearing region stabilized with a filling material, is disclosed. The applicator includes a rigid body adapted for implantation into bone and/or a filling material. Once implanted, a therapeutic dose of radiation can be delivered to the residual tumor margin.

One exemplary brachytherapy applicator is illustrated in FIGS 1 and 2. As shown, applicator 10 can include an elongate body 12 having a proximal end 16 and a distal end 14. In one aspect, distal end 14 can be adapted for insertion into tissue and/or filling material and proximal end 16 can open to an internal hollow region 17. Inner hollow region 17 (FIGS. 5 and 6) can hold a therapeutic radiation source 18 during treatment.

Distal end 14 can provide a closed tip region 19 having mechanical features 20.

In one aspect, mechanical features 20 allow applicator 10 to be secured within or adjacent to a body structure (e. g. , a vertebral body). For example mechanical feature 20 might have a configuration similar to a bone screw or a threaded, sharp distal point like a wood screw. This allows direct fixation via mechanical means into a bony structure.

Other mechanical fixation components may be like a mechanical claw that grips a tissue surface in contact with the device. Mechanical features 20 also allow direct fixation into a hardened filling material.

In another aspect, applicator 10 is implanted into an unhardened filling material and mechanical features 20 provide fixation once the filling material hardens around the mechanical features. For example, if applicator 10 is placed within a vertebral body along with a cement-like material, the mechanical features can hold the applicator in a desired location once the cement-like material hardens.

As an alternative to mechanical features 20, or in addition, the outer surface of body 12 can include securement features 21 useful for securing applicator 10 within the interior of the bony structure filled with an unhardened cement-like substance (e. g., PMMA, poly-methylmethacrylate). For example, body 12 can have one or more (e. g. , a series) of barbs or blades as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. When the applicator is implanted in an unhardened cement-like substance, the securement features become permanently

fixed after hardening. Other protruding features can likewise act as securement features such as ridges or knobs extending from the outer surface of body 12 In another embodiment, applicator 10 can include other alternative features designed to fix the applicator within filling material after hardening. For example, the applicator body can include depressions (not shown) into which filling material can flow prior to hardening. As another example, the applicator body 12 can have an irregular shape such that after filling material flows around the irregularly shaped body and hardens, body 12 can not be withdrawn.

In yet another embodiment, securement feature 21 can be retractable such that applicator could be with drawn after implantation without destroying the hardened filling material. In one example, retractable fins or blades can facilitate releasable securement of the applicator.

Securing the applicator in place, regardless of the features used, fixes the applicator relative to the target region. As a result, a therapeutic dose can be effectively delivered to the residual tumor margin within the target tissue and the exposure of healthy tissue can be minimized.

In one embodiment, the therapeutic radiation source is loaded into the applicator prior to or after implantation. For example, the proximal end 16 of the body 12 can provide a path for ingress and egress of a radiation source from the interior of body 12.

An end piece 22, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, can provide a resealable opening. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that end piece 22 can mate'with body 12 in a variety of ways, including by way of non-limiting example, threaded, snap fit, interference fit, and slot and groove. In addition, end piece 22 could in one embodiment be detachable from body 12.

End piece 22 can also provide a surface for mating with a tool. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, end piece 22 is cross slotted to receive a driver tool. In one embodiment, applicator 10 can attach to a driver tool for insertion into the bony structure during an open or percutaneous procedure. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the mating feature can have a variety of shapes and be formed in or on end piece 22.

In another aspect of the detachable end piece 22, the end piece is magnetic. In use it can be held to the tip of a tool using magnetic attraction between the tool and the end piece. The tool can then be used to position and mate the end piece to the

applicator, as well as, to remove the end piece. Alternatively, the tool could be magnetic and the end piece attracted by the magnetic tool (e. g. , a ferrous end piece).

The proximal end 16 of body 12 can include other features, such as feature for mating with a medical device. In one embodiment, the proximal end mates with a catheter for delivering a radiation source and includes surface feature adapted for receiving the end of a catheter. For example, the proximal end can include a barb (not shown) that assists with mating or suturing a catheter to the applicator.

Within the interior of body 12, a therapeutic radiation source can be positioned.

For example, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a sectional view of applicator 10 with radiation source 18 positioned therein. The radiation source 18, in one embodiment, extends thought the length of hollow region 17. Source 18 may be provided as a single, long source of nearly the length of the inside of the tube (and smaller diameter than the inner tube diameter) or may be a series of smaller cylindrical or other shaped sources configured to provide the desired dose (i. e. , dose shape and dose strength). Smaller radiation sources can be connected to each other by any means, including by way of non-limiting example, via welds or by enclosure in a metal strand or suture-like material. The train or series of sources may be of equal strength (in terms of emitted radiation), variable strength, or some of no activity, providing a means of varying the dose delivered along the length of the source.

In another embodiment, the radiation source occupies part of hollow region 17.

For example, where the desired dose requires a lower volume of radiation source material than the interior volume of the hollow region, place holders can secure the radiation-emitting material within applicator 10. In addition, one skilled in the art will appreciate that hollow region 17 could also include a variety of other elements such as radiation shielding, directing, and/or sensing elements.

The radiation source system may provide a radially symmetric radiation dose profile with respect to the axial length of applicator body 12 or may provide an asymmetric radial dose profile. For a description of such dosing profiles, reference is <BR> <BR> made to United States Patent No. 6,413, 204, issued on July 2,2002 to Winkler et al. , and entitled"Interstitial Brachytherapy Apparatus and Method for Treatment of Proliferative Tissue Diseases,"which patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Asymmetric profiles could be accomplished using eccentric source positioning within

the tube, angling or curving of the tube, and internal sources or partial shielding of the tubes and sources. Further examples of asymmetric dosing techniques can be found in United States Patent No. 6,482, 142, entitled"Asymmetric Radiation Dosing Apparatus and Method"and issued to Winkler et al. on November 19,2002, which patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The asymmetric dosing profile is useful to spare sensitive or normal tissues such as the spinal cord, small bowel, and/or intestine.

In one embodiment, the applicator can include an extended portion adapted for delivering a shaped radiation dose. For example, a bifurcation arm 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10. The bifurcation arm can accommodate another set of one or more seeds positioned at an angle with respect to the axis L of body 12. This bifurcated arm 30 could articulate in that axis L of the body and an axis X of the bifurcated arm are parallel and in contact while being deployed into the bony structure and the arm could articulate into a subtended angle once in the desired position within the bony structure.

The bifurcation arm could also be deployed as the applicator is inserted into a patient.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate bifurcation arm 30 in a parallel position with respect to body 12. Pivot 32 allows bifurcation arm 30 to pivot into position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the connection of the bifurcation arm 30 to body 12 shown in the FIGS. is exemplary, and that other types of articulation are contemplated. In addition, bifurcation arm 30 can include the feature of the body 12 as discussed above, particularly with respect to shaping, directing, and/or loading a radiation source. For example, the bifurcation arm can include an opening for admitting a radiation source, and the radiation source positioned therein can be shielded or arranged to deliver the most effective dose to target tissue while presenting the least damaging dose to adjacent healthy tissue.

The total radiation dose delivered from the applicator 10 will depend on a variety <BR> <BR> of factors and can be delivered at high rates (e. g., HDR), low rates (e. g. , LDR), or ultra<BR> low rates (e. g. , permanently implanted sources) with respect to a unit of time. In any case, applicator 10 can receive one or more sources of a photon (x-ray and/or gamma ray) emitting nuclide or mixed emitter (nuclide that emits photons and non-penetrating radiation such as beta particles). Also of utility would be manmade photon sources such as miniature x-ray sources.

When high radiation exposure rates around patient, while the source is deployed in the brachytherapy applicator, are not desirable, the radiation sources will preferentially emit photons of low photon energy. In one embodiment, the energy level is low enough to allow the delivery of HDR brachytherapy in an ordinary operating room (i. e. , one with no or minimal additional shielding such as lead or concrete), a diagnostic radiology suite, and/or a suitably shielded or restricted location in a physician's office. For example, the radiation source could have a low enough energy that it could be used in a location approved for the use of diagnostic x-ray units or fluoroscopy units. The low photon energies in one embodiment are less than about 100 keV (kilo-electron volts). In another embodiment, the photon energy is less than 80 keV, and in yet another embodiment the photon energy is in the range of about 25 keV to 80 keV.

The low energy radiation source (e. g. , <50 keV, <100 keV) can be one of the commercially available brachytherapy seeds, such as, for example seeds made with I- 125, Pd-103, and Gd-153. Manmade photons from miniature x-ray sources could also provide a low energy radiation source.

Applicator 10 can be formed from a variety of materials capable of being sterilized (e. g. , silicone, nylon, etc. ), with preference for a metal such as stainless steel, titanium or other fairly rigid metal. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the chosen material can include both radiation lucent and radiation opaque materials. For example, radio-opaque materials such as, barium, tungsten, bismuth, tantalum, and tin could be coated on a surface of applicator 10 to shield sensitive tissue. As an alternative to coating, a radiation-blocking or absorbing shield (not shown) can be positioned between the radiation source and adjacent tissue to produce a desired isodose curve. A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations may be employed to achieve the desired isodose curves and/or shielding of radiation sensitive tissue. The chosen materials can also have a variety of properties or features that aid in the procedure such as MRI compatibility.

In another aspect of the invention, applicator 10 can include markers to assist with locating and/or positioning the applicator within a patient. For example, fiducial markers, such as those disclosed in Patent Application No. 10/704, 161, entitled"Tissue <BR> <BR> Positioning Systems and Methods for Use with Radiation Therapy, "and incorporated

herein by reference in its entirety, can be used to with applicator 10. In addition, radiation sensors can be used with or disposed on applicator 10 to assist with delivery of therapeutic radiation. Utility application 10/704,340, entitled, "Implantable Radiotherapy/Brachytherapy Radiation Detecting Apparatus and Method,"and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses exemplary sensors.

A method for treating spinal metastases and other malignancies with applicator 10 generally begins with the step of surgically resecting a malignant tumor followed by implanting applicator 10 and providing a structural support. Structural support can be provided in a variety of ways known to one skilled in the art. For example, in a spinal procedure, a prosthetic disc or vertebra can be positioned to support and/or replace damaged spinal elements. Structural support can also be provided by way of a filling material implanted into a damaged vertebra. Applicator 10 can be implanted before, concurrently with, or after such stabilization procedures.

The placement of the applicator in relation to the bony structures of the spinal column would preferably be through open surgical or percutaneous access, in either a posterior (e. g. , from the back) or an anterior (e. g. , from the abdominal region) approach.

It is contemplated that one or more of the brachytherapy applicators would be placed within a bony structure (e. g. , vertebral body) to achieve as complete of radiation dosing coverage as possible to the bony structure. The applicator may be placed in the center of the bony structure (e. g. , a single source system), bilaterally in a single plane, or<BR> bilaterally in multiple planes (e. g. , inferior and superior planes).

Once the applicator is in position and secured to minimize movement during dosing, a therapeutic dose can be delivered to the target region. A radiation source, if not implanted with applicator 10, is then delivered to the applicator to provide a controlled dose of radiation to the surrounding tissue.

Both the applicator and/or the radiation source contained therein can be may be left in the bony structure and/or stabilizing element permanently or temporarily. For example, a radiation source can be placed within the applicator prior to implantation and sealed therein. The applicator is then surgically placed in relation to the target region in a secure manner (i. e. , driven into a bony region to secure the applicator). The implanted applicator can then be left in position permanently to deliver the desired therapeutic

dose. Alternatively, a second procedure could remove the radiation source (or part thereof) after a predetermined time.

In an alternative embodiment, the applicator could be implanted without the radiation source. For example, applicator 10 could be fixedly implanted in relation to the target region and hollow region 17 mated to a catheter via the opening at proximal end 16. The radiation source could then be implanted at the desired time through the catheter.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the duration, delivery method (i. e. , catheter), delivery timing (pre-, post-, or intra-operatively), dosage, and other treatment factors can vary depending on a physician's desired treatment regimen.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the brachytherapy system described therein can have virtually any configuration, and the embodiments illustrated and described herein are intended merely as exemplary embodiments and should not be construed to limit the present invention. Moreover, it will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is: