The present disclosure broadly relates to a template of an applicator device for
assisting a brachytherapy treatment for treating a tumor tissue in a cervix of a
patient. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the template
5 comprising of a unary cylindrical block defining a plurality of catheter routing
cavities, for routing a plurality of catheters towards a target position within the
tumor tissue while performing the brachytherapy treatment for treating the
tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient.
BACKGROUND
10 Cervical Cancer is a major cancer for women worldwide and the second most
common cancer in Indian Females. In cervical cancer, an unwanted tumor tissue
is developed on walls of a cervix of a female reproductive system of a patient.
Such tumor tissue is required to be treated, and ‘radiotherapy’ is the primary
treatment of cervical cancers specially in advanced cases. Treating the tumor
15 tissue refers to removal of the same therefrom.
‘Radiotherapy’ consists of ‘External beam radiotherapy’ treatment followed by
‘Brachytherapy’ treatment. In ‘External beam radiotherapy’ treatment, a
radioactive beam is applied from outside a patient’s body. In ‘brachytherapy‘
treatment, a radioactive source (also referred to as ‘seed’) is inserted into or
20 near the tumor tissue. Brachytherapy can pe performed in two techniques
individual or in combination, namely Intra cavitary technique (IC) and Interstitial
(IS) technique. Intra cavitary (IC) is the standard technique historically, however
Interstitial (IS) techniques can also be used. The best thing is to adopt an
Intercavitary +interstitial (IC+IS) technique for the brachytherapy in advanced
25 cases of cancer cervix. Generally, an “Image Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy”
(IGABT) technique is adapted by radiation oncologists these days to perform the
IC+IS technique for brachytherapy treatment, for treating the tumor tissue on
walls of the cervix of the patient. IGABT means using images to delineate the
tumor adapted to its volume during treatment and gives better results compared
3
to older techniques.
In the IC+IS technique of brachytherapy treatment with support of the IGABT
technique, the radioactive source (referred to as ‘seed’) is exposed into or
adjacent the tumor tissue, which causes treatment (removal) of the tumor tissue
5 from the walls of the cervix of the patient. Notably, the radioactive source can
cause damage to other nearby organs of the patient, if exposed thereto.
Therefore, the radioactive source is required to be exposed with high precision
so that only the tumor tissue is targeted. For such purposes, in the advanced
cases with bigger tumor size, an applicator device employing a plurality of
10 interstitial and intracavitary (IC+IS) catheter needles, and an aid of suitable
imaging are used in combination with each other, for performing the IC+IS
technique of brachytherapy treatment by the IGABT technique. In particular, the
applicator device and the plurality of interstitial and intracavitary (IC+IS) catheter
needles, are used in combination, to precisely expose the tumor tissue with
15 radioactive source. Further, the imaging device, such as MRI device or CT scan
device, is used to produce live imaging of a contour of the tumor effected female
reproductive system of the patient and nearby pelvic organs like urinary bladder
and rectum, for monitoring proper positioning of the applicator device and the
plurality of catheter needles while performing the radioactive therapy by the
20 IGABT technique.
Various types of applicator devices are known in market, for performing the IC+IS
technique of brachytherapy treatment. One such applicator device is a Martinez
perineal interstitial Template (MUPIT) type applicator device. This MUPIT type
applicator device includes a multi-component plate-type template unit, and a
25 tandem unit. The template unit is made up of multiple components, which are
arranged together, and defines at least one central tandem hole and a plurality
of catheter routing holes. For performing the interstitial (IS) technique of
brachytherapy treatment by the IGABT technique, the tandem is inserted into
the vagina of the patient while the template abuts with an external skin of the
4
vagina of the patient. Thereafter, the tandem unit is installed and locked into the
central tandem hole of the template. The template unit is then assembled
together with help of other accessories provided. After such positioning, the
assembled template is stitched to the external skin of the vagina of the patient,
5 for proper positioning. Upon such positioning, a plurality of catheter needles are
routed through the plurality of catheter routing holes of the template, to reach
and pierce through the tumor tissue. Thereafter, the radioactive source is
exposed through the catheter needles to the tumor tissue, to perform tumor
treatment thereon. Notably, the template of such MUPIT type applicator device
10 is made up of multiple components, and are therefore required to be assembled
together during the procedure/surgery. This increases an effort and time of the
doctor, to perform the surgery. Furthermore, the plate-type template unit is
stitched to the external skin and hangs outside of the vagina of the patient after
performing the surgery, which is painful for the patient. The plurality of catheter
15 routing holes in the template unit of such MUPIT type applicator device allows
the catheter needles to be routed in a longitudinal direction and a lateral
direction. The catheter needles used in the MUPIT applicator device are often
obstructed by bones in between due to their long path from the template to the
target region of the tumor tissue in the cervix. Overall, it results in cumbersome
20 and time consuming process, more chances of bleeding, increased pain for the
patient limits its use in many centers.
Another type of the applicator device is a Vienna applicator device. The Vienna
applicator device includes a ring template, a central (curved rod) tandem
coaxially passing through the ring template. The ring template of the Vienna
25 applicator device is a multi-part unit that defines a plurality of catheter routing
holes. The catheter needles are routed through the catheter routing holes of the
ring template of the Vienna applicator device, to reach the tumor tissue and
perform radiotherapy (by providing radioactive material) thereon. For routing
the catheter needles through the catheter routing holes of the ring template, a
5
cap is generally provided on the ring template for pushing the catheter needles
therethrough in divergent direction. Moreover, to match the plane of the cervix,
the catheter needles used are required to be curved, for enabling it to reach the
tumor tissue on the walls of the cervix of the patient. Usage of such curved
5 catheter needles requires relatively more precision, time for performing the
brachytherapy treatment. Moreover, as the ring template along with the cap is a
multi-component template, it is relatively cumbersome and time-consuming for
the surgeon to assemble the ring template, before initiating the brachytherapy
treatment. At times it is also considered fragile, and also, the investigators think
10 that, currently, the number of catheter needles used are insufficient to reach
entirely the tumor tissue in the cervix of the patient.
Accordingly, in light of the aforementioned problems, drawbacks and several
other inherent in the existing arts, there is a well felt need to provide an
improved robust applicator device, which requires relatively less effort and time
15 for performing the brachytherapy treatment, while still allowing for a greater
reach to the tumor tissue developed on the walls of the cervix and nearby
diseased regions of the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present disclosure relates to a template for an applicator
20 device for assisting a brachytherapy treatment for treating a tumor tissue in the
cervix of a patient. The template comprises a unary cylindrical block defining a
central tandem routing cavity and a plurality of catheter routing cavities. The
plurality of catheter routing cavities are suitably structured and arranged to
route a plurality of catheters towards a target position in the tumor tissue, while
25 performing the brachytherapy treatment. The unary cylindrical block defines an
outer periphery within a range of 3 centimeter (cm) diameter and 4 centimeter
(cm) diameter. As the unary cylindrical block is made up of the cylindrical outer
periphery within a range of 3 centimeter (cm) diameter and 4 centimeter (cm)
diameter, the template is capable of being inserted into a vagina of a patient and
6
is thus relatively proximal to the tumor in cervix, while performing brachytherapy
treatment therein. As the template disclosed in the present disclosure is capable
of being inserted into the vagina of the patient, it is not required to be stitched
to an exterior of the vagina of the patient for performing the brachytherapy
5 treatment. Therefore, it gives relatively less discomfort to the patient, while
performing the brachytherapy treatment.
Another object of the present disclosure relates to a template for an applicator
device for assisting a brachytherapy treatment. The template comprising a unary
cylindrical block defining a central tandem routing cavity and a plurality of
10 catheter routing cavities. The plurality of catheter routing cavities are suitably
structured and arranged to route a plurality of catheters towards a target
position performing the brachytherapy treatment. As the unary cylindrical block
is made up of a single component (unary) structure, the template is capable of
being relatively easily and relatively faster assembled while performing the
15 brachytherapy treatment. Therefore, the brachytherapy treatment is capable of
being performed relatively faster.
Another object of the present disclosure relates to a template for an applicator
device for assisting a brachytherapy treatment. The template comprising a unary
cylindrical block defining a central tandem routing cavity and a plurality of
20 catheter routing cavities. The plurality of catheter routing cavities are suitably
structured and arranged to route a plurality of catheters towards a target
position, while performing the brachytherapy treatment. The unary cylindrical
block defines an X-axis along a length of the unary cylindrical block, a Y-Axis
perpendicular to the X-axis, and a Z-axis perpendicular to each of the X-axis and
25 the Y-axis. Moreover, the unary cylindrical block has a first face and a second
face. In the unary cylindrical block: the central tandem routing cavity is defined
centrally along the X-axis, and is extended from the first end face to the second
end face; and the plurality of catheter routing cavities are extended from the
first end face to either of the second end face and the outer periphery of the
7
unary cylindrical block. Further, in such unary cylindrical block: one or more of
the plurality of catheter routing cavities extend parallel to the X-axis and
perpendicular to each of the Y-axis and the Z-axis, to allow routing of one or
more of the plurality of catheters in a longitudinally straight direction; one or
5 more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities are perpendicular to each of the
X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis, to allow routing of one or more of the plurality of
catheters in a laterally oblique direction; one or more of the plurality of catheter
routing cavities are perpendicular to each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis, to
allow routing of one or more of the plurality of catheters in an anterior oblique
10 direction. As the template disclosed with unary cylindrical block in the present
disclosure includes the plurality of catheter routing cavities that allows routing of
the plurality of catheters in each of the longitudinally straight direction, the
anterior oblique direction, and the laterally oblique direction, it allows the
plurality of catheters relatively more access to the tumor tissue in a vagina of a
15 patient while performing the brachytherapy treatment.
Yet another object of the present disclosure relates to a template for an
applicator device for assisting a brachytherapy treatment. The template
comprising a unary cylindrical block defining a central tandem routing cavity and
a plurality of catheter routing cavities. The plurality of catheter routing cavities
20 are suitably structured and arranged to route a plurality of catheters towards a
target position performing the brachytherapy treatment. The template includes
a first end face and a second end face, wherein a plane of the second end face is
inclined to a plane of the first end face. In particular, the plane of the second end
face is beveled relative to the plane of the first end face of the template. As the
25 plane of the second end face is inclined to the plane of the first end face, the
template substantially conforms to a shape of the cervix and is this placed
comfortably, and better fits in the cervix. Moreover, as the unary cylindrical
block is cylindrical, its shape and edges are such so that it fits the vagina snugly.
8
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,
together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by
reference to the following description, taken in connection with the
5 accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be
described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished
only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which
drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an applicator device for assisting a
10 brachytherapy treatment for treating a tumor tissue in a cervix of a patient, in
accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a template of the applicator device of
Figure 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a tandem arrangement of the
15 applicator device of Figure 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a tandem cover element of the tandem
arrangement of Figure 3, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure.
20 It may be evident to skilled artisans that mechanical components in the figures
are only illustrative, for simplicity and clarity, and have not necessarily been
drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the mechanical
components in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other components to
help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that
embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific
9
details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of
one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature
may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one
of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might
5 not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example
embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in
various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the different drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an applicator device [100], in
10 accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. The applicator device
[100] assists in performing a brachytherapy treatment, for treating (removing) a
tumor tissue developed in a cervix of a patient. In particular, the applicator
device [100] is employed for targeting the tumor tissue developed on the cervix
of a female reproductive system of the patient. The applicator device [100] as
15 disclosed in the present disclosure, includes a template [102], a tandem
arrangement [104], and a plurality of catheters [106]. The template [102]
provides for routing of the plurality of catheters [106] therethrough to reach a
target position in the tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient, while performing
the brachytherapy treatment. The tandem arrangement [104] provides a
20 reference point to the plurality of catheters [106] as they are routed through the
template [102], to reach the tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient.
Furthermore, the plurality of catheters [106] are capable of being provided with
a radioactive source to treat the tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the template [102] of the applicator device
25 [100]. The template [102] is adapted to allow routing of the plurality of catheters
[106] therethrough to reach the target position in the tumor tissue on the cervix
of the patient, while performing the brachytherapy treatment. In particular, as
the plurality of catheters [106] are routed through the template [102], the
plurality of catheters [106] are capable or piercing through and reach the
10
predetermined position within the tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient. The
template [102], as disclosed in the present disclosure includes a unary cylindrical
block [108] made up of a polymer material, such as but not limited to,
polypropylene material, polyethylene material, compounds of polypropylene
5 material and polyethylene material, and/or a combination thereof.
The term ‘unary’ herein refers to the unary cylindrical block [108] being made up
of a singular block of polymer material, and is not a multi-part component. As
the unary cylindrical block [108] is made up of a singular block, the unary
cylindrical block [108] is relatively easy to handle, less prone for damage and
10 relatively easy to use. Moreover, as the unary cylindrical block [108] is made up
of a singular block, it avoids wastage of time in assembling the template [102],
before initiating the brachytherapy treatment.
The term ‘cylindrical’ herein refers to a substantially cylindrical profile and not
completely cylindrical profile, i.e., the unary cylindrical block defines [108] an
15 entirely curved outer periphery [110], a first end face [112], and a second end
face [114], wherein a plane of the second end face [114] is inclined to a plane of
the first end face [112]. The outer periphery [110] of the unary cylindrical block
[108] is within a range of 3 centimeter (cm) diameter and a 4 centimeter (cm)
diameter. As the outer periphery [110] of the unary cylindrical block [108] is
20 curved, and is within a range of 3 centimeter (cm) diameter and a 4 centimeter
(cm) diameter, the unary cylindrical block [108] is suitably structured and sized to
be capable of being inserted into the vagina of the patient. Moreover, an
inclination of the plane of the second end face [114] relative to the plane of the
first end face [112], allows the unary cylindrical block [108] to be positioned
25 relatively appropriately adjacent to an anatomical plane of the cervix of the
patient.
Furthermore, the unary cylindrical block [108] of the template [102] defines a
central tandem routing cavity [116] and a plurality of catheter routing cavities
[118]. The central tandem routing cavity [116] is suitably structured and
11
arranged to allow for positioning and routing therethrough of the tandem
arrangement [104]. The plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] are suitably
structured and arranged to allow for mounting and routing therethrough of the
plurality of catheters [106]. In particular, the plurality of catheters [106] can be
5 routed through the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118], to reach a target
position in the tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient. In particular, the unary
cylindrical block [108] defines one (1) central tandem routing cavity [116] for
routing of one (1) tandem arrangement [104], and nineteen (19) catheter routing
cavities [118] for routing of nineteen (19) catheters [106]. Notably, the nineteen
10 (19) catheter routing cavities [118] and the plurality of catheters [106], are
optimally numbered, to be provided in the unary cylindrical block [108] with the
outer periphery [110] in a range of the 3 centimeter (cm) diameter and a 4
centimeter (cm) diameter, and to reach maximum portion of the tumor tissue on
the cervix of the patient.
15 It may further be noted that the unary cylindrical block [108] is envisioned to
define a cartesian coordinate, including a X-axis parallel to a length of the unary
cylindrical block [108], a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis, and a Z-axis
perpendicular to each of the X-axis and the Y-axis. The central tandem routing
cavity [116] extends from the first end face [112] to the second end face [114],
20 along the X-axis of the of the unary cylindrical block [108]. The central tandem
routing cavity [116] is suitably structured and arranged to allow for positioning
and routing therethrough of the tandem arrangement [104]. The plurality of
catheter routing cavities [118] extend from the first end face [112] to either of
the second end face [114] and the outer periphery [110] of the unary cylindrical
25 block [108]. Moreover, the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] are suitably
structured and arranged to allow for mounting and routing therethrough of the
plurality of catheters [106]. Notably, the plurality of catheter routing cavities
[118] are suitably arranged, such that it allows routing of the plurality of
catheters [106] in multiple directions, including a longitudinally straight
12
direction, an anterior oblique direction, and a laterally oblique direction. In
particular, one or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] extend
parallel to the X-axis and perpendicular to each of the Y-axis and the Z-axis, such
that the one or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] allows one
5 or more of the plurality of catheters [106] to be routed in a longitudinally straight
direction. Moreover, other one or more of the plurality of catheter routing
cavities [118] are inclined to each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis, such that
the one or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] allows one or
more of the plurality of catheters [106] to be routed in a laterally oblique
10 direction. Moreover, one or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities
[118] are inclined to each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis, such that the one
or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] allows one or more of
the plurality of catheters [106] to be routed in an anterior oblique direction.
‘Longitudinally straight direction’ refers to a direction parallel to the X-axis.
15 ‘Anterior oblique direction’ refers to a direction parallel to a bent portion of the
tandem [122]. ‘Laterally oblique direction’ refers to a direction opposite to the
bent portion of the tandem [122]. With such plurality of catheter routing cavities
[118] defined in the unary cylindrical block [108] of the template [102] for
routing of the plurality of catheters [106] in each of the longitudinally straight
20 direction, anterior oblique direction, and laterally oblique direction, the plurality
of catheters [106] are capable of reaching maximum portion of the tumor tissue
on the cervix of the patient while performing the brachytherapy treatment.
Moreover, as certain plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] are inclined to
each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis, it allows usage of straight catheters
25 [108] for brachytherapy treatment, without any need to bend the same.
The template [102] as disclosed above is used in combination with the tandem
arrangement [104] and the plurality of catheters [106], to perform the
brachytherapy treatment. The tandem arrangement [104] is a combination of a
tandem cover element [120] and a tandem [122]. The tandem [122] is a bent
13
rod, a portion of which passes through the central tandem routing cavity [114] of
the unary cylindrical block [108] of the template [102], from the first end face
[112] to extend outwards of the second end face [114] of the unary cylindrical
block [108] of the template [102]. For such purpose, an outer diameter of the
5 tandem [122] is same as an inner diameter of the tandem routing cavity [114] of
the unary cylindrical block [108] of the template [102]. The tandem cover
element [120] is a longitudinally extending hollow rod with a flanged plate
structure [120a] at one end and a pin opening [120b] on the other end. The
tandem cover element [120] is capable of being fixedly attached to the first end
10 face [112] of the unary cylindrical block [108], such that a central passthrough
hole [120c] of the tandem cover element [120] axially aligns with the central
tandem routing cavity [114] of the unary cylindrical block [108] of the template
[102]. In particular, the tandem cover element [120] coaxially covers a portion of
the tandem [122] extending outwards of the first end face [112], to be further
15 attached to the first end face of the first end face [112] of the unary cylindrical
block [108]. Moreover, the tandem cover element [120] is sued to lock the
tandem [120] with the template [102]. For such locking, the flange plate
structure [120a] of the tandem cover element [120] is screwed to the first face
[112] of the unary cylindrical block [108] of the template [102], with use of a
20 plurality of screws. Further, the tandem [122] is fixedly attached to the tandem
cover element [120], by passing a lateral locking pin through the pin opening
[120b] of the tandem cover element [120], and tightening the same on periphery
of the tandem [120] extending therein. With such locking of the tandem [120]
with the template [102] by use of the tandem cover element [120], the entire
25 applicator device [100] attains rigidity and prevent any relative dislocation. Thus,
the complete applicator device [100] is stabilized during the CT scan and
radiation treatment of the patient.
Furthermore, the plurality of catheters [106] are straight needles that can be
routed through the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] defined in the
14
unary cylindrical block [108]. Notably, the number of catheters [106] required to
be routed through the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] of the unary
cylindrical block [108] is dependent on size and position of the tumor tissue on
the cervix of the patient. Additionally, a selection of the plurality of catheter
5 routing cavities [118] through which the catheter [106] is required to be routed is
also dependent on the size and position of the tumor tissue on the cervix of the
patient. Such routing of the plurality of catheters [106] through the plurality of
catheter routing cavities [118] of the unary cylindrical block [108], causes
piercing of the tumor tissue by the plurality of catheters [106]. Further, the
10 plurality of catheters [106] are capable of routing therethrough a radioactive
source and are also capable of exposing the radioactive source to the tumor
tissue, generally by determining different position of the source at different
parts of the catheters [106]. Such positions are determined by radiotherapy
planning process, further details are not in scope of this document. By such
15 exposure of the tumor tissue with the radioactive source, the tumor tissue is
treated (removed) from the cervix of the patient.
In operation, for performing the brachytherapy treatment with disclosed
applicator device [100], the template [102] is initially installed with the tandem
arrangement [104]. For such purpose, the tandem [120] is initially put in the
20 uterus and cervical canal through the vagina of the patient, followed by insertion
of the template [102] such that the tandem [120] passes through the central
tandem routing cavity [116] of the template [102]. Thereafter, the template
[102] is pushed inwards within the vagina, until the template [102] fits snugly in
vagina in contact with the tumor tissue in the cervix of the patient. Thereafter,
25 the tandem cover element [120] is positioned, such that the tandem cover
element [120] coaxially covers at least a portion of the tandem [120] while the
tandem [120] passes through the central passthrough hole of the tandem cover
element [120]. After such positioning, the tandem cover element [120] is locked
with the tandem with use of the plurality of screws attaching the tandem cover
15
element [120] to the first end face [112] of the template [102], and a lateral
locking pin attaching another portion of the tandem cover element [120] to the
tandem [122]. Notably, as the template [102] is a unary structure, it does not
require an additional step of arranging together the template [102], and is also
5 relatively easy to handle and use. In particular, the arrangement is inserted into
the vagina, such that the template [102] entirely and a portion of the tandem
[122] extends within the vagina proximal to a vaginal opening of the patient. It
may be noted that as the template [102] entirely and a portion of the tandem
[122] extends through the vagina of the patient, it decreases chances of pain and
10 discomfort to the patient. Thereafter, the plurality of catheters [106] are suitably
inserted into the plurality of catheter routing cavities [116], to reach through and
pierce through the tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient. Notably, as the
plurality of catheter routing cavities [116] allows the plurality of catheters [106]
to be routed in each of the longitudinally straight direction, the anterior oblique
15 direction, and the laterally oblique direction, it provides for improved reach of
the plurality of catheters [106] towards the tumor tissue on the cervix of the
patient. After such positioning of the plurality of catheters [106], a radiotherapy
planning process is done and a radioactive source is supplied through the
plurality of catheters [106], to be exposed to the tumor tissue for treating
20 (removing) the same. In particular, upon such exposure to the radioactive
source, the tumor tissue is treated (removed) therefrom.
Various advantages exist for the disclosed features of the template [102]. One
such advantage relates to unary feature of the unary cylindrical block [108]. As
the unary cylindrical block [108] is unary, it is relatively easy to handle and use,
25 relatively decreases time for assembling the applicator device [100]. Another
advantage of the template [102] relates to the unary cylindrical block [108]
having a cylindrical (or curved) outer periphery [110] with a diameter within a
range of 3 centimeter (cm) and 4 centimeter (cm), which makes it suitable to be
inserted within the vagina of the patient. As the unary cylindrical block [108] of
16
the template [102] is inserted within the vagina of the patient, and is not stitched
to the external periphery, it is less discomforting to the patient, while performing
the brachytherapy treatment. In addition to this, as the plurality of catheter
routing cavities [116] in the unary cylindrical block [108] of the template [102]
5 are capable of routing the plurality of catheters [106] in each of the
longitudinally straight direction, an anterior oblique direction, and a laterally
oblique direction, it provides for improved reach of the plurality of catheters
[106] towards the tumor tissue on the cervix of the patient.
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described
10 hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
invention. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present
invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its
spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be
15 considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
List of Components:
100 – Applicator Device
102 - Template
104 – Tandem Arrangement
20 106 – Catheters
108 - Unary Cylindrical Block
110 - Outer Periphery
112 - First End Face
114 - Second End Face
25 116 - Central tandem routing cavity
118 - Catheter Routing Cavities
120 – Tandem Cover Element
120a – Plate of 120
120b – Pin Opening of 120
17
120c – Central Passthrough Hole
122 – Tandem

We Claim:

1. A template [102] of an applicator device [100] for assisting a brachytherapy
treatment for treating a tumor tissue in a cervix of a patient, the template
[102] comprising:
5 a unary cylindrical block [108] defining a central tandem routing
cavity [116] and a plurality of catheter routing cavities [118], wherein
the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] are suitably
structured and arranged to route a plurality of catheters [106]
towards a target position within the tumor tissue while
10 performing the brachytherapy treatment
the unary cylindrical block [108] defines an outer periphery
[110] within a range of 3 centimeter (cm) diameter and 4
centimeter (cm) diameter.
15 2. The template [102] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unary cylindrical
block [108] comprises of a first end face [112] and a second end face
[114], wherein a plane of the second end face [114] is inclined to a plane
of the first end face [112].

20 3. The template [102] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unary cylindrical
block [108] defines one (1) central tandem routing cavity [116] and
nineteen (19) catheter routing cavities [118], such that the nineteen (19)
catheter routing cavities [118] routes nineteen (19) catheters [106]
towards a target position within the tumor tissue
25
4. The template [102] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unary cylindrical
block [108] defines an X-axis along a length of the unary cylindrical block
[108], a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis, and a Z-axis perpendicular to
each of the X-axis and the Y-axis.
19
5. The template [102] as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the central
tandem routing cavity [116] is defined centrally along the X-axis,
extending from the first end face [112] to the second end face [114] of
5 the unary cylindrical block [108].
6. The template [102] as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the
plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] extend from the first end face
[112] to either of the second end face [114] and the outer periphery [110]
10 of the unary cylindrical block [108].
7. The template [102] as claimed in claim 6, wherein one or more of the
plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] extend parallel to the X-axis
and perpendicular to each of the Y-axis and the Z-axis, to be extended
15 from the first end face [112] to the second end face [114], such that the
one or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] allows one
or more of the plurality of catheters [106] to be routed in a longitudinally
straight direction.
20 8. The template [102] as claimed in claim 6, wherein one or more of the
plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] are inclined to each of the Xaxis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis, to be extended from the first end face [112] to
either of the second end face [114] and the outer periphery [110], such
that the one or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118]
25 allows one or more of the plurality of catheters to be routed in an
anterior oblique direction.
9. The template [102] as claimed in claim 6, wherein one or more of the
plurality of catheter routing cavities [118] are inclined to each of the X-
20
axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis, to be extended from the first end face [112] to
either of the second end face [114] and the outer periphery [110], such
that the one or more of the plurality of catheter routing cavities [118]
allows one or more of the plurality of catheters to be routed in a laterally
5 oblique direction.
10. The template [102] as claimed in claims 1-9, wherein the unary cylindrical
block is suitably sized and structured to be capable of being inserted
within a vagina of the patient, for performing the brachytherapy
10 treatment thereon.
11. An applicator device [100] for assisting a brachytherapy treatment for
treating a tumor tissue in a cervix of a patient, comprising:
the template [102] as claimed in claims 1-10;
15 a tandem arrangement [104], including:
a tandem [122] passing through the central tandem
routing cavity [116] of the template [102], to enter through the
first end face [112] and extend outwards of the second face [114]
of the unary cylindrical block [108];
20 a tandem cover element [120] defining a central
passthrough hole [120c] therein, the tandem cover element [120]
coaxially covering at least a portion of the tandem [122] while the
tandem [122] passes through the central passthrough hole [120c],
to be further attached to the first end face [112] of the unary
25 cylindrical block [108].
12. An applicator device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tandem cover
element is locked with the tandem, with use of a plurality of screws
attaching a portion of the tandem cover element to the first end face of
21
the unary cylindrical block, and a lateral locking pin attaching another
portion of the tandem cover element to the tandem.