Conforming localization/biopsy grid and control apparatus

• US 5,260,985 A
• Filed: 08/14/1992
• Issued: 11/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard A. Mosby
• Original Assignee: Richard A. Mosby
• Inventors: Mosby, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David P.
• Application Number:
  US07/931,757
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 378/162, 378/163, 378/164, 378/208, 378/204, 378/177, 378/179, 378/37, 604/44, 604/116, 604/117, 604/158, 604/164, 604/264, 604/272, 606/167, 606/170, 606/181, 606/185, 128/754
• US Class Current: 378/164
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00712 simulating mathematical properties, e.g. for testing of positioning in the isocentre or focus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/583 using calibration phantoms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/17 for soft tissue, e.g. breast-holding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A conforming biopsy grid and control apparatus consists of a flat transparent adhesive pliable sheet of material with imprinted radiopaque and visible grid lines which are numbered and lettered in more than one axis and applied to a structure. An adjustable perforated box-like apparatus is applied to stabilize compliant and/or elastic structures and placed about the grid applied structure fixing compliant and/or plastic structures tightly to conform to the shape of the box-like apparatus. A calibrated, perforated stylet is placed through the composite, i.e., compliant and/or elastic structure, conforming biopsy grid, and containing box-like apparatus, and stabilized by locking devices as it enters and exits the containing box-like apparatus. Electromagnetic and/or visible means are used to determine placement of this stylet through the perforated box-like apparatus to localize internal structures in more than one plane indicating location and depth of structures to be biopsied.

Claims

1. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery which comprises

(a) providing a thin flexible sheet material sufficiently compliant to conform to a body surface being evaluated and having an adhesive backing for uniform securing to said body surface and a plurality of grid lines and indicia thereon of a material opaque to detectable electromagnetic radiation and to visible light,

(b) adhering said sheet uniformly to a body surface having a pronounced bulge to cover the entire surface, and

(c) examining said body surface by detectable electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, to produce images which localize a body mass in different planes by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines.

2. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 in which

biopsy or biopsy surgery is carried out subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.

3. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the step of

obtaining a mammogram subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.

4. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of

providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides, and

applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion.

5. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of

providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides, and

applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion, and

performing biopsy or biopsy surgery subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.

6. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of

providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and

inserting said stylet through said body surface covered with said grid sheet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the pictures produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet.

7. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of

providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and

inserting said stylet through said body surface covered with said grid sheet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes,

whereby the pictures produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet, and

performing biopsy or biopsy surgery subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.

8. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of

providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides,

applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion,

providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and

inserting said stylet through perforations in said box-like apparatus said body surface covered with said grid sheet to visually locate the position of said stylet,

whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, produces pictures which localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet, and

performing biopsy or biopsy surgery subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.

9. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 8 including the steps of

providing a biopsy needle and inserting it through one of said stylet perforations to place the needle accurately in relation to the body surface being examined.

10. A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of

providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides,

applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion,

providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and

inserting said stylet through perforations in said box-like apparatus said body surface covered with said grid sheet to visually locate the position of said stylet,

whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, produces pictures which localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet, and

obtaining a mammogram subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.

11. Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery which comprises

a thin flexible sheet material sufficiently compliant to conform to a body surface being evaluated and having an adhesive backing for uniform securing to said body surface and a plurality of grid lines and indicia thereon of a material opaque to detectable electromagnetic energy and to visible light,

said sheet material being adherable uniformly to a body surface having a pronounced bulge to cover the entire surface for examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the pictures produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes.

12. Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 11 additionally including

a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides applyable over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion.

13. Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 11 additionally including

a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle for insertion through a body surface covered with said grid sheet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the images produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet.

14. Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 13 additionally including

a biopsy needle insertable through one of said stylet perforations to place the needle accurately in relation to the body surface being examined.