Localization element with energized tip

• US 6,752,767 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Prakash, Mani, Kim, Steven, Su, Ted, Turovskiy, Roman
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Szmal, Brian Scott
• Application Number:
  US10/271,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/164, 604/264, 604/117, 600/434, 600/564, 600/431, 600/435, 128/899, 606/185, 606/116, 606/139, 606/159
• US Class Current: 600/564
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/183 characterised by the type of antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

This invention is an improved tissue-localizing device with an electrically energized locator element for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision. The electrical energizing of the locator element facilitates the penetration of the locator element in to subject'"'"'s tissue and minimizes resistance due to dense or calcified tissues. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Delivery of electric current may be achieved through monopolar or bipolar electronic configuration depending on design needs. Various energy sources, e.g. radio frequency, microwave or ultrasound, may be implemented in this energized tissue-localizing device.

Claims

1. A tissue-localizing device comprising:

a sleeve having a lumen;

a locator element at least partially disposed in the lumen of said sleeve in a slidable manner, said locator element having a distal portion and a distal end, the distal portion having a discrete electric conductive surface region at or near said distal end, the locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of tissue when said locator element is deployed in tissue; and

an insulating layer at least partially covering an inner surface of said sleeve.

2. A tissue-localizing device comprising:

a sleeve having a lumen and an insulating liner covering the inner surface of said sleeve;

an electric conductive locator element at least partially disposed in the lumen of said sleeve in a slidable manner, said locator element having a distal portion, the locator element further being adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element forms at least a partial loop that defines a volume of the tissue when said locator element is deployed in the tissue;

wherein said sleeve is electric conductive; and

an insulating layer covering an outer surface of said sleeve with a distal end of said sleeve exposed.