×

Method for locating tumors prior to needle biopsy

  • US 5,396,897 A
  • Filed: 05/03/1993
  • Issued: 03/14/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for determining the locus of a pathologic condition within a tissue mass, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) inserting into the tissue mass a sensor including a sensor tube closed at a distal end, the sensor tube disposed within a lumen of an insertion tube, the insertion tube having an open distal end, the insertion tube provided with a first aperture adjacent the open end thereof, the sensor tube-provided with a second aperture adjacent the closed end thereof, said sensor capable of measuring at least interstitial fluid pressure;

    (b) aligning the first and second apertures of the insertion and sensor tubes, respectively, so that at least part of the sensor tube is in interstitial fluid communication with the tissue mass;

    (c) measuring interstitial fluid pressure at a point in a path through the tissue mass while at least part of the sensor tube is in interstitial fluid communication with the tissue mass;

    (d) measuring interstitial fluid pressure at another point in said path through the tissue mass while at least part of the sensor tube is in interstitial fluid communication with the tissue mass;

    (e) repeating steps (c) through (d), wherein a first increase in interstitial fluid pressure is an indication of a pathologic condition in the tissue mass;

    (f) removing said sensor tube from said insertion tube and inserting a tissue marker into the insertion tube so that it extends from the open distal end of the insertion tube into the tissue mass at a point within said tissue mass where said pathologic condition is located.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×