APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR LOCALIZING MARKERS OR TISSUE STRUCTURES WITHIN A BODY

• US 20110021888A1
• Filed: 06/25/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cianna Medical Inc. (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cianna Medical Inc. (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tommy G., Sing, Eduardo Chi, Cole, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,892,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00438 connectable to a finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00442 connectable to wrist or forearm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/397 electromagnetic other than visible, e.g. microwave
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3975 active
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient'"'"'s body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient'"'"'s skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Claims

1. A system for localization of a target tissue region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

a probe comprising one or more antennas for transmitting electromagnetic signals into a patient'"'"'s body and receiving reflected signals from the patient'"'"'s body, the probe analyzing the reflected signals to identify one or more objects within the patient'"'"'s body; and

a marker sized for implantation within a patient'"'"'s body, the marker comprising an active reflector to enhance identification of the marker by the probe.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the marker comprises an elongate tether.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the marker comprises a plurality of beads carried by an elongate core member, the beads configured for enhancing reflection of signals from the probe to facilitate identification of the marker.

4. The marker of claim 1, wherein a predetermined surface finish is provided on one or more of the beads to modulate signals reflected from the one or more beads to enhance identification of the marker.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the marker comprising an electronic circuit that modulates incident signals from the probe striking the marker such that reflected signals from the marker to enhance identification by the probe.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic circuit imposes a phase shift on the reflected signals, the probe configured to identify the phase shift to distinguish the marker from other objects in the patient'"'"'s body.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the probe is configured for transmitting ultrawide band (“

UWB”

) signals, and wherein the electronic circuit modulates the UWB signals such that the reflected signals have a relatively narrow band.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the marker is configured for enhancing a radar cross section (“

RCS”

) of the marker to enhance identification of the marker by the probe.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the marker is biased to assume a nonlinear shape yet is resiliently flexible to allow the core member to be straightened to facilitate introduction of the marker into a target tissue region.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery device for introducing the marker into a patient'"'"'s body.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the delivery device comprises one of a needle and a cannula.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a processor, the processor configured for automatically identifying the target from data obtained using the one or more antennas and for determining spatial information based on the spatial relationship of the target relative to the probe.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a portable device having a first end configured to be placed against tissue of a patient'"'"'s body, thereby orienting the one or more antennas towards tissues within the patient'"'"'s body.

12. A marker for localization of a target tissue region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

an elongate core member; and

a plurality of beads coupled to the core member, the beads comprising a plurality of surfaces and edges to enhance reflection of electromagnetic signals to facilitate identification of the marker.

13. The marker of claim 12, further comprising an electronic circuit carried by one of the beads or the core member, the electronic circuit configured for modulating electromagnetic signals striking the marker such that reflected signals enhance identification of the marker.

14-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A system for localization of a target tissue region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

a probe comprising one or more antennas for transmitting electromagnetic signals into a patient'"'"'s body and receiving reflected signals from the patient'"'"'s body, the probe analyzing the reflected signals to identify one or more objects within the patient'"'"'s body; and

a marker sized for implantation within a patient'"'"'s body, the marker comprising an active transponder to enhance identification of the marker by the probe.

21-28. -28. (canceled)

31. A system for localization of a target tissue region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

a delivery device comprising a shaft including a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction through tissue within a patient'"'"'s body into a target tissue region, the delivery device carrying one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region; and

a probe comprising one or more antennas for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers implanted within or around the target tissue region when the probe is placed adjacent the target tissue region.

32-34. -34. (canceled)

35. A method for localizing a target tissue region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

introducing a target through breast tissue into the target tissue region;

placing a probe adjacent the target tissue region, the probe transmitting electromagnetic signals towards the target tissue region, receiving electromagnetic signals reflected from the target, and displaying spatial information provide a spatial relationship between the target and the probe;

wherein the target is configured for modulating signals from the probe that strike the target such that signals reflected enhance identification of the target by the probe.

36. A method for localizing a target tissue region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

introducing a target into the target tissue region;

placing a probe adjacent the target tissue region; and

activating the probe, whereupon the probe transmits electromagnetic signals towards the target tissue region, receives electromagnetic signals reflected from the target, and displays spatial information providing a spatial relationship between the target and the probe.

37-50. -50. (canceled)

51. A method for removing a lesion within a target tissue region of a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising:

introducing a target through breast tissue into the target tissue region;

placing a probe adjacent the target tissue region, the probe transmitting electromagnetic signals towards the target tissue region, receiving electromagnetic signals reflected from the target, and displaying spatial information provide a spatial relationship between the target and the probe; and

removing a tissue specimen from the target tissue region, the tissue specimen including the lesion and the target.

52-55. -55. (canceled)