Method for imaging and treating a breast

• US 20060009696A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QT Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Techniscan, Inc.
• Inventors: Robinson, David, Wiskin, James, Hanover, Barry K., Borup, David, Johnson, Steven A,
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/008 Removal of tumors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0825 for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/406 using means for diagnosing suspended breasts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/17 for soft tissue, e.g. breast-holding devices

Abstract

A method for imaging and treating a breast of a patient includes: disposing the breast into a bath of medium; physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient; scanning the breast with ultrasound signals from transducer arrays to create a three-dimensional image of the breast and to locate a position of a tumor or a lesion in the breast with respect to the three-dimensional image; and further treating the tumor or the lesion of the breast while maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient as during scanning.

Claims

1. A method for imaging and treating a breast of a patient, comprising:

a) disposing the breast into a bath of medium;

b) physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient;

c) scanning the breast with ultrasound signals from transducer arrays to create a three-dimensional image of the breast and to locate a position of a tumor or a lesion in the breast with respect to the three-dimensional image; and

d) further treating the tumor or the lesion of the breast while maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient as during scanning.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the patient on a table with the breast pendent through an aperture in the table; and

maintaining the patient on the table with the breast pendent through the aperture while further treating the tumor or the lesion.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein maintaining the position and the shape of the breast further includes:

securing the breast to a frame suspended from a table supporting the patient.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) removing the breast from the bath; and

b) substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient out of the bath as in the bath during scanning.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast further includes:

suspending a frame from a table supporting the patient after the-breast is removed from the bath; and

securing the breast to the frame.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient further includes:

securing the breast to a structure within the bath; and

wherein substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient out of the bath as in the bath during scanning further includes;

securing a frame to a table supporting the patient; and

securing the breast to the frame.

7. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein further treating the tumor or the lesion further includes:

performing a biopsy by inserting a biopsy device into the tumor or lesion and removing a tissue sample.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein performing a biopsy includes the biopsy device being guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast with the biopsy device attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the biopsy device;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the biopsy device.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein performing a biopsy further includes:

inserting at least one marker into the breast using the biopsy device to mark a margin of the tumor to guide a surgeon during surgery to remove the tumor.

10. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein further treating the tumor or the lesion further includes:

inserting at least one marker into the breast to mark a margin of the tumor to guide a surgeon during surgery to remove the tumor.

11. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein further treating the tumor or the lesion further includes performing surgery to remove the tumor using a surgical instrument linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast with the surgical instrument attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the surgical instrument;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the surgical instrument.

12. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein further treating the tumor or the lesion further includes:

performing ultrasound ablation by directing ultrasound energy at the tumor.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein performing ultrasound ablation further includes:

disposing the breast back into the bath of medium and substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient as during scanning, prior to performing ultrasound ablation.

14. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein further treating the tumor or the lesion further includes:

injecting a chemotherapy drug into the tumor using a needle.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the needle is guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast with the needle attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the needle;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the needle.

16. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein further treating the tumor or the lesion further includes:

injecting an ultrasound activated drug into the patient; and

directing ultrasound energy at the tumor.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein ultrasound energy is directed using an ultrasound emitter guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast with the ultrasound emitter attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the ultrasound emitter;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the ultrasound emitter.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising:

disposing the breast back into the bath of medium and substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient as during scanning, prior to directing ultrasound energy at the tumor.

19. A method in accordance with claim 4, further treating the tumor or the lesion further includes:

thermally treating the tumor by inserting a probe with a hot tip or a cold tip into the tumor.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the probe is guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast with the probe attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the probe;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the probe.

21. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the breast remains in the bath during further treatment, and wherein further treating the tumor or the lesion includes:

a) performing a biopsy by inserting a biopsy device into the tumor or lesion and removing a tissue sample;

b) inserting at least one marker into the breast to mark a margin of the tumor using a marker placing device;

c) performing ultrasound ablation by directing ultrasound energy at the tumor with an ultrasound emitter;

d) injecting a drug into the tumor using a needle;

e) injecting an ultrasound activated drug into the patient and directing ultrasound energy at the tumor with an ultrasound emitter to activate the ultrasound activated drug;

or

f) thermally treating the tumor by inserting a probe with a hot tip or a cold tip into the tumor.

22. A method in accordance with claim 21, wherein the biopsy device, the marker placing device, the ultrasound emitter, the needle or the probe is guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) the biopsy device, the marker placing device, the ultrasound emitter, the needle or the probe being attached to a stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the biopsy device, the marker placing device, the ultrasound emitter, the needle or the probe;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the biopsy device, the marker placing device, the ultrasound emitter, the needle or the probe.

23. A method for imaging and treating a breast of a patient, comprising:

a) disposing the breast into a bath of medium;

b) physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient;

c) scanning the breast with ultrasound signals from transducer arrays to create a three-dimensional image of the breast and to locate a position of a tumor or a lesion in the breast with respect to the three-dimensional image;

d) removing the breast from the bath; and

e) substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient out of the bath as in the bath during scanning.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

positioning the patient on a table with the breast pendent through an aperture in the table; and

maintaining the patient on the table with the breast pendent through the aperture while further treating the tumor or the lesion.

25. A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein maintaining the position and the shape of the breast further includes:

securing the breast to a frame suspended from a table supporting the patient.

26. A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast further includes:

suspending a frame from a table supporting the patient after the breast is removed from the bath; and

securing the breast to the frame.

27. A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient further includes:

securing the breast to a structure within the bath; and

wherein substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient out of the bath as in the bath during scanning further includes;

securing a frame to a table supporting the patient; and

securing the breast to the frame.

28. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

performing a biopsy by inserting a biopsy device into the tumor or lesion and removing a tissue sample.

29. A method in accordance with claim 28, wherein the biopsy device is guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast with the biopsy device attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the biopsy device;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the biopsy device.

30. A method in accordance with claim 28, further comprising:

inserting at least one marker into the breast using the biopsy device to mark a margin of the tumor to guide a surgeon during surgery to remove the tumor.

31. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

inserting at least one marker into the breast to mark a margin of the tumor to guide a surgeon during surgery to remove the tumor.

32. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising performing surgery to remove the tumor using a surgical instrument linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast with the surgical instrument attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the surgical instrument;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the surgical instrument.

33. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

performing ultrasound ablation by directing ultrasound energy at the tumor.

34. A method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising:

disposing the breast back into the bath of medium and substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient as during scanning, prior to performing ultrasound ablation.

35. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

injecting a chemotherapy drug into the tumor using a needle.

36. A method in accordance with claim 35, wherein the needle is guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional coordinate system including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast and the needle attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the needle;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the needle.

37. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

injecting an ultrasound activated drug into the patient; and

directing ultrasound energy at the tumor.

38. A method in accordance with claim 37, wherein ultrasound energy is directed using an ultrasound emitter guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast and the ultrasound emitter attached to the frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the ultrasound emitter;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the ultrasound emitter.

39. A method in accordance with claim 37, further comprising:

disposing the breast back into the bath of medium and substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient as during scanning, prior to directing ultrasound energy at the tumor.

40. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

thermally treating the tumor by inserting a probe with a hot tip or a cold tip into the tumor.

41. A method in accordance with claim 40, wherein the probe is guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast and the probe attached to the stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the probe;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the probe.

42. A method for imaging and treating a breast of a patient, comprising:

a) positioning the patient on a table with the breast pendent through an aperture in the table and into a bath of medium;

b) physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient;

c) scanning the breast with ultrasound signals from transducer arrays to create a three-dimensional image of the breast and to locate a position of a tumor or a lesion in the breast with respect to the three-dimensional image;

d) removing the breast from the bath;

e) substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient out of the bath as in the bath during scanning; and

f) further treating the tumor or the lesion of the breast with a treatment while maintaining the patient on the table and maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient, the treatment being selected from the group consisting of;

i) performing a biopsy by inserting a biopsy device into the tumor or lesion and removing a tissue sample;

ii) inserting at least one marker into the breast to mark a margin of the tumor with a marker placement device;

iii) performing ultrasound ablation by directing ultrasound energy at the tumor with an ultrasound emitter;

iv) injecting a drug into the tumor using a needle;

v) injecting an ultrasound activated drug into the patient and directing ultrasound energy at the tumor with an ultrasound emitter;

vi) thermally treating the tumor by inserting a probe with a hot tip or a cold tip into the tumor;

or

vii) performing surgery to remove the tumor using a surgical instrument.

43. A method in accordance with claim 42, wherein the biopsy device, the marker placing device, the ultrasound emitter, the needle, the probe or the surgical instrument is guided by a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the biopsy device, the marker placing device, the ultrasound emitter, the needle, the probe or the surgical instrument;

or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the biopsy device, the marker placing device, the ultrasound emitter, the needle, the probe or the surgical instrument.

44. A method in accordance with claim 42, wherein physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient further includes:

securing the breast to a structure within the bath; and

wherein substantially maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient out of the bath as in the bath during scanning further includes;

securing a frame to a table supporting the patient; and

securing the breast to the frame.