Radiographic marker system and method of making same

• US 5,702,128 A
• Filed: 07/18/1996
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beekley Corporation
• Original Assignee: Beekley Corporation
• Inventors: Kasper, Hermann K., Maxim, Rosemary S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDOLL, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US08/683,175
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 283/81, 283/100, 283/101, 40/299, 40/630, 40/594, 206/820, 206/460, 428/40.1, 428/41.7, 428/41.8, 428/42.1, 428/42.2, 428/192, 428/194, D24/189, 156/268, 156/256, 378/162, 602/54, 602/57, 602/78
• US Class Current: 283/81
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a radiographic marker system which includes a radiopaque marker mounted on a thin, flexible adhesive label. In one embodiment, the adhesive label has a central portion, the adhesive side of which is covered by a cut-out portion of the base tape to provide for comfortable removal of the marker after use. In another embodiment, the adhesive label has a gripping tab to facilitate removal from a base tape upon which the marker is supported before use, and to facilitate removal from a patient after use. The gripping tab is formed by a projecting tab of the label combined with a cut-out portion of the base tape which covers adhesive on the projecting tab. A method of making a radiology marker system according to the invention also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A radiographic marker system, comprising:

a radiopaque marker,

a label having a front side for supporting the radiopaque marker and an opposite adhesive side, the label including a central portion and an extension portion extending outwardly from the central portion, and

a base tape adhered to the adhesive side of the label, the base tape having a first cut-out portion underlying the central portion, the first cut-out portion being separable from the remainder of the base tape and being configured to remain adhered to the label when the label is removed from the base tape.

2. A radiographic marker system according to claim 1, wherein the label further includes a projecting tab projecting from the extension portion, and the base tape further includes a second cut-out portion underlying the projecting tab, the second cut-out portion being separable from the remainder of the base tape and being configured to remain adhered to the label when the label is removed from the base tape.

3. A radiographic marker system according to claim 2, wherein the second cut-out portion imparts increased stiffness to the projecting tab.

4. A radiographic marker system according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion includes first and second support arms extending outwardly from the central portion.

5. A radiographic marker system according to claim 4, wherein the central portion of the label has a diameter and the support arms have a width which is smaller than the diameter of the central portion.

6. A radiographic marker system according to claim 4, wherein the label has a dumbbell-type configuration.

7. A radiographic marker system according to claim 4, wherein the extension portion includes third and fourth support arms extending outwardly from the central portion.

8. A radiographic marker system according to claim 7, wherein the extension portion further includes fifth and sixth support arms extending outwardly from the central portion.

9. A radiographic marker system according to claim 1, wherein the label has an hourglass-type configuration.

10. A radiographic marker system, comprising:

a radiopaque marker,

a label having a front side for supporting the radiopaque marker and an opposite adhesive side, the label having a central portion and first and second support arms each having a length and extending outwardly from the central portion in generally opposite directions, at least one of the support arms having a projecting tab projecting therefrom, and

a base tape adhered to the adhesive side of the label, the base tape having a primary cut-out portion underlying the projecting tab, the second cut-out portion being separable from the remainder of the base tape and being configured to remain adhered to the label when the label is removed from the base tape.

11. A radiographic marker system according to claim 10, wherein the projecting tab and primary cut-out portion together form a gripping tab which is configured to be manually gripped by a user.

12. A radiographic marker system according to claim 10, wherein the base tape has a secondary cut-out portion underlying the central portion, the first cut-out portion being separable from the remainder of the base tape and being configured to remain adhered to the label when the label is removed from the base tape.

13. A radiographic marker system according to claim 12, wherein the projecting tab and primary cut-out portion together form a gripping tab which is configured to be manually gripped by a user.

14. A radiographic marker system according to claim 10, wherein the label has a dumbbell-type configuration.

15. A radiographic marker system according to claim 12, wherein the label has a dumbbell-type configuration.

16. A radiographic marker system according to claim 10, wherein the label further includes third and fourth support arms extending outwardly from the central portion.

17. A radiographic marker system according to claim 12, wherein the label has an hourglass-type configuration.

18. A method of making a radiographic marker system comprising:

obtaining a label having a front side for supporting a radiopaque marker and an opposite adhesive side, the label including a central portion and an extension portion extending outwardly from the central portion, the adhesive side of the label being removably mounted on a base tape,

obtaining a radiopaque marker,

mounting the radiopaque marker on the label, and

forming a first cut-out portion in the base tape beneath the central portion of the label in order that when the label is removed from the base tape the first cut-out portion is separated from the remainder of the base tape and remains in contact with the label.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the first cut-out portion is formed by die cutting the base tape.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the label has a projecting tab projecting from the extension portion, and the method further includes the step of:

forming a second cut-out portion in the base tape beneath the projecting tab in order that when the label is removed from the base tape the second cut-out portion is separated from the remainder of the base tape and remains in contact with the label.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the base tape has a greater rigidity than the label and the second cut-out portion of the base tape imparts increased stiffness to the projecting tab.

22. A method according to claim 18, wherein the label has a dumbbell-type configuration.