Methods for marking a biopsy site

• US 7,229,417 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Burbank, Fred H., Ritchart, Mark A., Foerster, Seth A., Zerbouni, Elias A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, FANGEMONIQUE A
• Application Number:
  US10/966,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20050049489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 600/592, 600/3, 600/7, 600/8, 600/562, 600/137, 600/565, 600/567, 604/57, 606/185
• US Class Current: 600/562
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4501 Quick connect or release [e.g., spring and detent]

Abstract

Implantable devices and methods of use are disclosed for marking the location of a biopsy or surgery for the purpose of identification. The methods include providing a biodegradable radiodense implant and taking a tissue sample from a biopsy site within a breast of a patient. The biodegradable implant is then positioned at the biopsy site. The tissue sample is tested and the biopsy site is then relocated. In one embodiment, the entire implant is radiodense. In another embodiment, the entire implant is biodegradable. Methods of using a biodegradable implant having a radiodense material and a biodegradable implant that is visible using an imaging system are also included.

Claims

1. A method for breast biopsy, comprising the steps of:

providing a biodegradable radiodense implant;

taking a tissue sample from a breast of a patient to create a biopsy site;

positioning the biodegradable radiodense implant within the biopsy site;

testing the tissue sample; and

relocating the biopsy site by detecting the biodegradable radiodense implant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire implant is radiodense.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire implant is biodegradable.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a plastic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a plurality of beads or pellets.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a diameter of a bead or pellet is about 500 μ

m.

8. A method for breast biopsy, comprising the steps of:

providing a biodegradable implant having a radiodense material;

taking a tissue sample from a breast of a patient to create a biopsy site;

positioning the biodegradable implant having a radiodense material within the biopsy site;

testing the tissue sample; and

relocating the biopsy site by detecting the biodegradable implant having a radiodense material.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the entire implant is radiodense.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the entire implant is biodegradable.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising an adhesive.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the implant is a plastic.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the implant comprises a plurality of beads or pellets.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a diameter of a bead or pellet is about 500 μ

m.

15. A method for breast biopsy, comprising the steps of:

providing a biodegradable implant that is visible using an imaging system;

taking a tissue sample from a breast of a patient to create a biopsy site;

positioning the biodegradable implant that is visible using an imaging system within the biopsy site;

testing the tissue sample; and

relocating the biopsy site using the imaging system by detecting the biodegradable implant.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the implant is radiodense.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the entire implant is radiodense.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the entire implant is biodegradable.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the imaging system is a mammographic imaging system.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the implant is a plastic.