Target tissue localization device

• US 20040243171A1
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Artemis Medical, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Artemis Medical, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Fulton, Richard Eustis III, Dubrul, William R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,479,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/198
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence

Abstract

A target tissue localization device includes a tubular mesh anchor element that is secured to a placement device. In use, the localization device is passed through the patient'"'"'s skin to the target tissue, creating a tissue track. The tubular mesh anchor element is located at the target tissue and expanded from a contracted to an expanded configuration. Methods for localizing a lymph node are also described. After determining the position of the lymph node, a localization device, which includes an anchor element, is localized near or within the lymph node. The anchor element is then expanded.

Claims

1. A method for localizing a target tissue, comprising the steps of:

determining the location of the target tissue;

passing a distal end of an elongate localization device through the patient'"'"'s skin and to the target tissue to create a tissue track between the patient'"'"'s skin and the target tissue, the localization device comprising a tubular mesh anchor element secured to a placement device, the placement device extending from the tubular mesh anchor element, along the tissue track and through the patient'"'"'s skin;

locating the tubular mesh anchor element at the target tissue; and

expanding the tubular mesh anchor element from a contracted to an expanded configuration.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

relocating the target tissue using the localization device; and

removing at least a sample of the relocated target tissue.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the relocating step is carried out using imaging technology.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the imaging technology is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, thoracoscopy, nuclear medicine, MRI, computed tomography, and plain film.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the tubular mesh anchor element in the expanded configuration is at least four times the cross-sectional area in the contracted state.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular mesh anchor is positioned on the far side of the target tissue.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular mesh anchor is positioned on the near side of the target tissue.

8. A method for localizing a lymph node, comprising the steps of:

determining the location of the lymph node;

passing a distal end of an elongate localization device through the patient'"'"'s skin and to the lymph node to create a tissue track between the patient'"'"'s skin and the lymph node, the localization device comprising an anchor element;

locating the anchor element near or within the lymph node; and

expanding the anchor element to an expanded configuration.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the anchor element is located behind the lymph node.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of removing at least a portion of the lymph node.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of removing the lymph node and at least some surrounding tissue.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein anchor element is a tubular mesh anchor.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the anchor element is a balloon.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the anchor element is a Malecot-type anchor.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the localization device further comprises a placement device, wherein the placement device extends from the anchor element, along the tissue track and through the patient'"'"'s skin.