Localization element with energized tip
First Claim
1. A tissue-localizing device comprising:
- a sleeve having a lumen; and
a locator element at least partially disposed in the lumen of said sleeve in a slidable manner, said locator element having a distal portion and a distal end, the distal portion having a discrete electric conductive surface region at or near said distal end, the locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of tissue when said locator element is deployed in tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is an improved tissue-localizing device with an electrically energized locator element for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision. The electrical energizing of the locator element facilitates the penetration of the locator element in to subject'"'"'s tissue and minimizes resistance due to dense or calcified tissues. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Delivery of electric current may be achieved through monopolar or bipolar electronic configuration depending on design needs. Various energy sources, e.g. radio frequency, microwave or ultrasound, may be implemented in this energized tissue-localizing device.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A tissue-localizing device comprising:
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a sleeve having a lumen; and
a locator element at least partially disposed in the lumen of said sleeve in a slidable manner, said locator element having a distal portion and a distal end, the distal portion having a discrete electric conductive surface region at or near said distal end, the locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of tissue when said locator element is deployed in tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tissue-localizing device comprising:
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a sleeve having a lumen and an insulating liner covering the inner surface of said sleeve; and
an electric conductive locator element at least partially disposed in the lumen of said sleeve in a slidable manner, said locator element having a distal portion, the locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of tissue when said locator element is deployed in tissue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A tissue-localizing device comprising:
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a sleeve having a first electric conductive region and a lumen; and
a locator element at least partially disposed in the lumen of said sleeve in a slidable manner, said locator element having a distal portion and a distal end, the distal end having a second electric conductive region, the locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of tissue when said locator element is deployed in a mammalian tissue. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A tissue-localizing device comprising:
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a locator element having a distal portion and an electric conductive surface region, said locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of tissue when said locator element is deployed in tissue; and
a power supply capable of generating a RF electric current;
an electric conductive member adapted for connection to tissue;
a first electric conductive path connecting said power supply to said electric conductive region. a second electric conductive path connecting said power supply to said electric conductive member. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method of placing a locator element in a mammalian tissue, comprising the steps of:
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a.) penetrating through tissue with a sleeve containing a locator element at least partially disposed in a lumen defined by said sleeve, said locator element having a distal portion and a distal end, wherein said distal portion having an electric conductive surface limited to said distal end of the locator element. b.) advancing said locator element through said sleeve and penetrating the tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop such that said locator element when fully deployed substantially surrounds a volume of tissue. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method of placing a locator element in a mammalian tissue, comprising the steps of:
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a.) connecting an electric conducting pad to a surface on a mammalian body;
b.) penetrating through a tissue on said mammalian body with a sleeve containing a locator element at least partially disposed in a lumen defined by said sleeve, said locator element having a distal portion, the distal portion having an electric conductive surface region;
c.) advancing said locator element through said sleeve and penetrating the tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms a partial loop such that said locator element when fully deployed substantially surrounds a volume of tissue next to the sleeve; and
d.) energizing said locator element with an electric current while said locator element is being advanced through the tissue.
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29. A method of placing a locator element in a mammalian tissue, comprising the steps of:
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a.) penetrating into a tissue with a sleeve containing a locator element at least partially disposed in a lumen defined by said sleeve, said locator element having a distal portion, the distal portion further having a first electric conductive region, wherein said sleeve further having a second electric conductive region;
b.) advancing said locator element through said sleeve and penetrating the tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop such that said locator element when fully deployed substantially surrounds a volume of tissue next to the sleeve; and
c.) allowing a current to flow between said fist electric conductive region and said second electric conductive region.
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30. A method of placing a locator element in a mammalian tissue, comprising the steps of:
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a.) penetrating through tissue with a sleeve containing a locator element at least partially disposed in a lumen defined by said sleeve, said locator element having a distal portion, the distal portion having an electric conductive surface region, said locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of tissue when said locator element is deployed in tissue;
b.) advancing the locator element into the tissue; and
c.) applying an alternating current to said electric conductive region. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification