Raghukumar P, Nair Raghu Ram K, Aprem Abi S, Bhasi Saju, Sisupal Suja, Padmanbhan V
Radiation Physics Division, Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala-695 011, India.
J Med Phys. 2009 Jan;34(1):48-51. doi: 10.4103/0971-6203.48721.
Multiple fractions of High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy along with external beam therapy is the common method of treatment for cancer of the uterine cervix. Urinary bladder and rectum are the organs at risk (OARs) that receive a significant dose during treatment. To reduce the dose to these organs, a majority of hospitals use vaginal gauze packing, as it is a simple, nontraumatic, and easy method. This article describes the design and development of an inflatable balloon that can be used along with the applicator as a substitute for gauze packing. The balloon has two parts-the bladder part (B-part) and the rectum part (R-part), both of them are independently inflatable. The selection of the material, its width, length, and thickness are described. A mould/former for making the balloon was designed. Polished steel was used as the mould. This was dipped in specially prepared natural rubber latex (NRL) solution several times; the layers were dried and stripped to get the balloon. The composition of NRL and the compounding recipe of the latex are also described. Physical tests like tensile strength, elongation at break, bursting volume, and radiation attenuation caused by the balloon, were checked. Biological tests for assessing type I and type IV allergies, like dermal irritation and skin irritation tests, were also done.
高剂量率（HDR）近距离放射治疗联合外照射治疗是子宫颈癌的常用治疗方法。膀胱和直肠是治疗期间会接受大量剂量的危及器官（OARs）。为了减少这些器官所受剂量，大多数医院采用阴道纱布填塞，因为这是一种简单、无创且便捷的方法。本文描述了一种可与施源器配套使用以替代纱布填塞的充气式球囊的设计与开发。该球囊有两个部分——膀胱部分（B部分）和直肠部分（R部分），两者均可独立充气。文中阐述了材料的选择、其宽度、长度和厚度。设计了一个用于制作球囊的模具/成型器。采用抛光钢作为模具。将其多次浸入特制的天然橡胶乳胶（NRL）溶液中；各层干燥后剥离以制成球囊。还描述了NRL的成分以及乳胶的配合配方。检查了诸如拉伸强度、断裂伸长率、爆破体积以及球囊引起的辐射衰减等物理测试。还进行了用于评估I型和IV型过敏的生物学测试，如皮肤刺激和皮肤致敏试验。
