Radiographic multi-modality skin markers

• US 5,469,847 A
• Filed: 02/28/1994
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IZI Medical Products LLC (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: IZI Corporation
• Inventors: Zinreich, Eva S., Zinreich, Simion J., Bare, Rex O.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZELE, KRISTA MICHELLE
• Application Number:
  US08/204,882
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 128/653.1, 128/653.2, 128/653.5, 128/639, 128/640, 128/641, 156/145, 156/146, 156/242, 324/308, 324/309, 356/347, 356/348, 264/250, 264/259, 378/162, 378/163, 378/164, 378/165, 250/370.1
• US Class Current: 600/414
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3405 using mechanical guide means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3995 Multi-modality markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/281 Means for the use of in vitro contrast agents G01R33/282 takes precedence; involving use of a contrast agent in MR imaging G01R33/5601; in vivo contrast agents A61K49/0002
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/58 Calibration of imaging systems, e.g. using test probes , Phantoms; Calibration objects or fiducial markers such as active or passive RF coils surrounding an MR active material
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/26 Measuring, controlling or protecting measuring X-ray radiation G01T

Abstract

The device of the present application is an adhesive surface marker comprising a gel sealed by a casing and membrane structure. The markers of the present invention can include a cavity for receiving imaging materials. The markers provide means for marking patients and diagnostic images taken of those patients through different methods including X-Ray, Computerized Tomography, Positron Emission Tomograph, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging among others, retain their shape and size, and do not suffer from water-loss which can lead to reduced density to certain radio-graphic modalities (e.g. MRI).

Claims

1. A radiographic surface marker comprising

a casing comprising inner side walls, outer side walls, and top walls, said inner, outer, and top walls defining a first chamber and a second chamber,

said first chamber holding dense material visible to multiple radiographic imaging methods,

a first membrane attached to said casing forming a bottom wall and sealing the dense material into said first chamber,

a second membrane attached to said casing sealing said second chamber and enabling later injection of material into said second chamber without said later injected material contacting said dense material, and

a disk attached to at least one of said first membrane and said second membrane for providing a needle stopping surface.

2. The radiographic surface marker of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive layer for adhering the marker to a patient.

3. A radiographic surface marker comprising

a casing comprising inner side walls, outer side walls, and top walls, said inner, outer, and top walls defining a first chamber and a second chamber,

said first chamber holding dense material visible to multiple radiographic imaging methods,

a first membrane attached to said casing forming a bottom wall and sealing the dense material into said first chamber,

a second membrane attached to said casing sealing said second chamber and enabling later injection of material into said second chamber without said later injected material contacting said dense material, and

a porous material contained in said second chamber.

4. The radiographic surface marker of claim 3 wherein a material opaque to Positron Emission Tomography is injected into the porous material in the second chamber.

5. The radiographic surface marker of claim 3 further comprising a disk attached to at least one of said first membrane and said second membrane for providing a needle stopping surface.

6. The radiographic surface marker of claim 3 further comprising an adhesive layer for adhering the marker to a patient.