Tissue marking apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A tissue marking apparatus for marking a tissue mass of interest within the body of a patient, the tissue marking apparatus comprising:
- a handle;
a tube operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle;
a push rod disposed within the tube and extending into the handle; and
a firing mechanism retained within the handle and operatively coupled to a proximal end of the push rod, the firing mechanism being configured and adapted to distally advance the push rod through the tube.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tissue marking apparatus for marking a tissue mass of interest within the body of a patient are disclosed. The tissue marking apparatus include a handle, a tube operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle, a push rod disposed within the tube and extending into the handle, a firing mechanism retained within the handle and operatively coupled to a proximal end of the push rod, and a potential energy source configured and adapted to rapidly drive the push rod distally through the tube upon an activation of the firing mechanism. The tissue marking apparatus further includes a marker configured and dimensioned to be slidably received within the tube at a location distal of the push rod. The marker includes a capsule defining a chamber therein, an elongate tail extending from a distal end thereof, and at least one radioactive bead retained within the chamber of the capsule.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tissue marking apparatus for marking a tissue mass of interest within the body of a patient, the tissue marking apparatus comprising:
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a handle;
a tube operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle;
a push rod disposed within the tube and extending into the handle; and
a firing mechanism retained within the handle and operatively coupled to a proximal end of the push rod, the firing mechanism being configured and adapted to distally advance the push rod through the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A marker, for use with a tissue marking apparatus, for marking a tissue mass of interest within the body of a patient and to be positioned wholly within the patient, the marker comprising:
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a capsule;
an elongate tail extending from the capsule; and
at least one radioactive bead retained within the capsule. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of marking a biological tissue site, within the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a tissue marking apparatus, having a tissue marker loaded therein, into a desired location of the patient;
firing the tissue marking apparatus such that the tissue marker is ejected from the tissue marking apparatus and at least partially embedded in the body of the patient; and
withdrawing the tissue marking apparatus from the body of the patient with the tissue marker remaining wholly within the body of the patient and positioned proximate the desired location. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification