Biopsy localization method and device

• US 20050033195A1
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard E Fulton, William Richard Dubrul
• Original Assignee: Richard E Fulton, William Richard Dubrul
• Inventors: Fulton, Richard E., Dubrul, William Richard
• Granted Patent: US 10,010,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/562
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3962 palpable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

Methods for localizing a biopsy site are disclosed. The method includes taking a tissue sample from a biopsy site and positioning a detectable, bioabsorbable element at the biopsy site at the time that the tissue sample was taken. The tissue sample is then tested. The biopsy site is then relocated by finding the bioabsorbable element. The bioabsorbable element may be made of collagen, gelatin, cellulose, polylactic acid, and/or polyglycolic acid. The detectable bioabsorbable element may be relocated using ultrasound or mammography. The bioabsorbable element may also swell upon contact with body fluid.

Claims

1. A biopsy localization method comprising:

taking a tissue sample from a biopsy site within a patient;

positioning a detectable, bioabsorbable collagen element at the biopsy site at the time of taking of the tissue sample;

testing the tissue sample; and

relocating the biopsy site by finding the bioabsorbable element.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of medically treating the biopsy site.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the relocating step is performed using ultrasonic techniques.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the relocating step comprises ultrasonically guiding a treatment device to the collagen element.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the relocating step is performed using mammography.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen element swells upon contact with body fluid.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the collagen element swells to substantially fill the biopsy site.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen element comprises at least one collagen element.

9. A biopsy localization method comprising:

taking a tissue sample from a biopsy site within a patient;

positioning a detectable, bioabsorbable element at the biopsy site at the time of taking of the tissue sample, wherein the detectable, bioabsorbable element is made from a material selected from the group consisting of gelatin, cellulose, polylactic acid, and polyglycolic acid;

testing the tissue sample; and

relocating the biopsy site by finding the bioabsorbable element.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of medically treating the biopsy site.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the relocating step is performed using ultrasonic techniques.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the relocating step comprises ultrasonically guiding a treatment device to the detectable, bioabsorbable element.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the relocating step is performed using mammography.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the detectable, bioabsorbable element swells upon contact with body fluid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the detectable, bioabsorbable element swells to substantially fill the biopsy site.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the detectable, bioabsorbable element comprises at least one detectable, bioabsorbable element.