Catheters for breast surgery

• US 6,685,666 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Papillon Surgical
• Original Assignee: Papillon Surgical
• Inventors: Fontenot, Mark G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mendez, Manuel
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeSanto, Matthew F
• Application Number:
  US09/711,066
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 604/500, 604/506, 604/509, 604/510, 604/511, 604/513, 604/517, 604/93.01, 604/103.08, 604/104, 604/105, 604/106, 604/107, 604/108, 604/109, 600/473, 600/476
• US Class Current: 604/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles

Abstract

Methods and systems for accessing target sites in breast and other tissues comprising catheters having hooks or other anchoring means at their distal ends. The positions of the catheters and tissue are determined using a light source, optionally using both infrared and visible light sources. Once accessed, drugs may be delivered through the catheter, or the catheter may be used to facilitate surgical intervention.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a target site in solid tissue, said method comprising:

anchoring a catheter having at least one lumen at the target site, wherein anchoring the catheter further comprises deploying a mechanical anchor on the catheter;

positioning a fiberoptic light guide through said at least one lumen within the catheter so that an emitting portion of the fiberoptic light guide is located near the target site;

passing infrared light through the light guide to permit electronic detection of the infrared light emitted from the emitting portion of the light guide;

electronically detecting the infrared light to determine the position of the light emitting portion of the fiberoptic light guide;

surgically accessing the target site based on the position as determined by the electronic detection;

passing visible light through the light guide to permit visual detection of the emitting portion of the light guide; and

further surgically accessing the target site based on the position as determined by the visual detection.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the infrared light is at a wavelength in the range from 701 nm to 1100 nm.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the visible light is at a wavelength in the range from 600 nm to 700 nm.

4. A method as in claim 1, further comprising delivering a fluid agent to the target site through the lumen.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein anchoring comprises:

placing a wire in the tissue; and

passing the catheter into the tissue over the wire.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein electronically detecting the infrared light comprises manipulating a detector probe through tissue and monitoring the proximity of the probe to the infrared light.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein electronically detecting the infrared light comprises video monitoring.