Multi-modality marking material and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of identifying an anatomical site for treatment comprising:
- implanting at least one permanent marker at the anatomical site, the marker comprising a solid material that is detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities comprises a magnetic field imaging modality;
forming at least one image of the anatomical site, in which the marker is detectable and compatible, to obtain information about the anatomical site; and
treating the anatomical site using the information obtained from the at least one image of the anatomical site.
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Abstract
The present invention provides markers and methods of using markers to identify or treat anatomical sites in a variety of medical processes, procedures and treatments. The markers of embodiments of the present invention are permanently implantable, and are detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities is a magnetic field imaging modality. Images of anatomical sites marked according to embodiments of the present invention may be formed using various imaging modalities to provide information about the anatomical sites.
242 Citations
78 Claims
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1. A method of identifying an anatomical site for treatment comprising:
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implanting at least one permanent marker at the anatomical site, the marker comprising a solid material that is detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities comprises a magnetic field imaging modality;
forming at least one image of the anatomical site, in which the marker is detectable and compatible, to obtain information about the anatomical site; and
treating the anatomical site using the information obtained from the at least one image of the anatomical site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for mapping a portion of a body by multi-modality fusion comprising:
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implanting at least one permanent tissue marker in the body, the marker comprising a solid material that is detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities comprises a magnetic field imaging modality;
forming a first image, in which the marker is detectable and compatible, using a first imaging modality;
forming a second image, in which the marker is detectable and compatible, using a second imaging modality, wherein one of the first and second imaging modalities is a magnetic field imaging modality; and
synthesizing the first and second images to obtain positional information for a portion of the body. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A method of positioning a body for radiation therapy comprising:
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selecting an anatomical site upon which radiation therapy is to be performed;
implanting at least one permanent marker at the anatomical site, the marker comprising a solid material that is detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities comprises a magnetic field imaging modality;
forming at least one image of the anatomical site, in which the marker is detectable and compatible, to obtain information about the anatomical site; and
positioning the body for radiation therapy based on information provided by the at least one image. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of identifying a lesion site of a breast for treatment comprising:
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implanting a marker at the lesion site comprising a solid material that is detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities comprises a magnetic field imaging modality;
forming at least one image of the lesion site, in which the marker is detectable and compatible, to obtain information about the lesion site; and
treating the lesion site using information obtained from the image. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for performing computer assisted diagnosis to provide diagnostic information about a patient comprising:
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implanting at least one permanent marker at an anatomical site in the patient, the marker comprising at least one solid material that is not categorized as abnormal tissue during computer assisted diagnosis; and
performing computer assisted diagnosis to obtain diagnostic information about the anatomical site. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48)
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- 49. A permanently implantable biocompatible marker comprising at least one solid material that is detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the at least two imaging modalities is a magnetic field imaging modality, and wherein the marker is shaped to be distinguishable from anatomical features in images formed by the imaging modalities.
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77. A kit for marking an anatomical site comprising:
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at least one marker for permanent implantation into the anatomical site comprising a solid material that is detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities is a magnetic field imaging modality, and wherein the marker is shaped to be distinguishable from features of the anatomical site; and
a carrier solution for delivery to the anatomical site. - View Dependent Claims (78)
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Specification