Method and apparatus for handling of biopsy tissue specimen

• US 5,383,472 A
• Filed: 07/22/1993
• Issued: 01/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Computerized Imaging, Reference Systems, Inc. (CIRS Acquisition, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Computerized Imaging, Reference Systems, Inc. (CIRS Acquisition, Inc.)
• Inventors: Devlin, Mark T., Zerhouni, Moustapha B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US08/094,749
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 128/749, 128/760, 128/771, 604/317, 604/318, 604/403, 604/404, 604/408, 604/409, 378/163, 378/164, 378/208
• US Class Current: 600/584
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A self contained set of imaging apparatus which permit an excised tissue to be handled, inked, imaged in radiology and transported to pathology untouched by human hands. Absolute margins of tissue are inked by solution injected into sealed, disposable bag from syringe attached to the bag. Inked tissue is removed from bag and placed upon fluid-absorbent blotter inscribed with radiographically opaque grid, inside of transparent container. Hinged top and bottom panels of liquid-tight container secure tissue in place. Tissue is visible from outside of container during transport, x-ray imaging, and subsequent pathologic evaluation. Further, the image presented to the pathologist with the inked tissue permits extremely accurate identification of locations of suspect element. The pathologist can easily view the enclosed, undisturbed sample and associated radiograph prior to dissection which can be done within said apparatus if so desired.

Claims

1. A specimen handling apparatus comprising:

a closeable first container;

wherein said first container comprises a top member and a bottom member, and further comprising an interior chamber between said top member and said bottom member when said first container is in a closed position;

said top member of said first container having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first edge; and

,

said bottom member of said first container having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first edge;

hinge means for attaching said first edge of said top member of said first container to said first edge of said bottom member of said first container;

a specimen blotter member disposed adjacent said top surface of said bottom member of said first container;

said specimen blotter member comprising a fluid-absorbent material and having a substantially flat top surface;

a radiographically opaque grid attached to said top surface of said specimen blotter member;

first sealing means by which said interior chamber of said first container is made liquid-tight when said top member of said first container is in a closed position;

said interior compartment of said first container being adapted to contain a specimen between and in contact with said top surface of said specimen blotter member and said bottom surface of said top member of said first container when said first container is in a closed position;

wherein said top member of said first container comprises either a transparent or a translucent material, such that said grid attached to said top surface of said specimen blotter is visible when said first container is closed;

and wherein said sealing means comprises;

an endless convex ridge on said top surface of said bottom member of said first container;

and an endless concave groove on said bottom surface of said top member of said first container;

wherein said endless convex ridge is adapted to mate with said endless concave groove when said first container is in a closed position;

and wherein said endless convex ridge encircles said specimen blotter member;

and further comprising a resealable, liquid impermeable second container;

an absorbent member disposed within said second container;

and means to introduce pigment into said second container.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said means for introducing pigment into said second container comprises a syringe.

3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said means for introducing pigment into said container comprises a breakable vial, capsule, or bag.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pigment is a solvent based fast drying ink.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pigment is india ink.

6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pigment is tattoo powder or a tattoo powder emulsion.

7. A method of handling tissue specimen comprising the steps of:

placing said specimen inside a hinged first container on top of a fluid-absorbent specimen blotter member within an outside boundary of a radiographically opaque grid attached to the top of said blotter member;

closing atop member of said first container against said specimen and against a bottom member of said first container so as to completely enclose said specimen within a liquid-tight transparent compartment in said first container; and

,

visually observing the position of said specimen relative to said grid from outside of said first container after said container is in a closed position;

and further comprising producing an x-ray film of said specimen and said grid while said specimen is within said liquid-tight compartment of said first container;

and further comprising reading said x-ray film of said specimen and said grid; and

recording the position, relative to the grid in said film, of an image of a finite element of said specimen shown in the image of said specimen;

and further comprising locating said finite element of said specimen, corresponding to said image of said finite element in said x-ray film, while said specimen is enclosed within said liquid-tight compartment of said first container;

and further comprising inserting said specimen within an interior chamber of a sealable second container prior to said step of placing said specimen inside a hinged first container;

sealing said specimen within said second container;

introducing pigment into said second container;

applying said pigment to said specimen while said specimen is sealed within said second container; and

,

subsequent to said step of applying said pigment to said specimen, removing a portion of said pigment from said interior chamber of said sealable second container while said second container is sealed; and

,

removing pigmented specimen from said second container.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of introducing pigment into said second container comprises:

ejecting said pigment from a syringe attached to said second container.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of removing a portion of said pigment from said interior chamber comprises:

absorbing said pigment into an absorbent device disposed within said second container.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of removing a portion of said pigment from said interior chamber comprises:

withdrawing said portion of said pigment into said syringe.

11. A specimen imaging and handling apparatus comprising:

a closeable first container;

wherein said first container comprises a top member and a bottom member, and further comprising an interior compartment between said top member and said bottom member when said first container is in a closed position;

said top member of said first container having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first edge; and

said bottom member of said first container having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first edge;

hinge means for attaching said first edge of said top member of said first container to said first edge of said bottom member of said first container;

a specimen blotter member disposed adjacent to said top surface of said bottom member of said first container;

said specimen blotter member comprising a fluid-absorbent material and having a substantially flat top surface;

a radiographically opaque grid attached to said top surface of said specimen blotter member;

wherein said first container comprises a first sealing means by which said interior chamber of said first container is made liquid-tight when said top member of said first container is in a closed position;

said interior compartment of said first container being adapted to contain a specimen between and in contact with said top surface of said specimen blotter member within said finite perimeter of said opaque grid and adjacent to said opaque grid, and said bottom surface of said top member of said first container when said first container is in said closed position; and

,

wherein said top member of said first container comprises either a transparent or a translucent material, such that said grid attached to said top surface of said specimen blotter is visible when said first container is in said closed position.

12. The invention according to claim 11, wherein said sealing means comprises;

an endless convex ridge on said top surface of said bottom member of said first container;

and an endless concave groove on said bottom surface of said top member of said first container;

wherein said endless convex ridge is adapted to mate with said endless concave groove when said first container is in a closed position;

and wherein said endless convex ridge encircles said specimen blotter member.

13. The invention according to claim 12, wherein said radiographically opaque grid comprises silk screen ink and a radio-opaque first material.

14. A method of handling tissue specimen comprising the steps of:

placing said specimen inside a hinged first container on top of a fluid-absorbent specimen blotter member within an outside boundary of and adjacent to a radiographically opaque grid attached to the top of said blotter member;

closing atop member of said first container against said specimen and against a bottom member of said first container so as to completely enclose said specimen within a liquid-tight transparent compartment of said first container; and

,

visually observing the position of the specimen relative to said grid from outside of said first container after said container is in a closed position.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

producing an x-ray film of said specimen on said grid while said specimen is within said liquid-tight compartment of said first container.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising;

reading said x-ray film of said specimen on said grid; and

,

recording the position,relative to the visible grid in said film, of an image of a finite element of said specimen shown in the image of said specimen.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

locating said finite element of said specimen, corresponding to said image of said finite element in said x-ray film, while said specimen is enclosed within said liquid-tight compartment of said first container.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of recording the position, relative to the grid in said x-ray film, of an image of a finite element of said specimen shown in the x-ray of said specimen comprises:

writing patient information and information indicative of the grid coordinates of said finite element on an outside area of said container such that said written information and said specimen are simultaneously observable when said specimen is enclosed within said liquid-tight, transparent compartment of said first container.