Internal marker device for identification of biological substances
First Claim
1. A device for visualizing a structure located on the interior of a visually opaque substance relative to a region of interest in a body, the device comprising:
- a marker member, the marker member composed of a biologically stable material, the marker member configured to permit non-obstructive visualization, via positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography, of at least one structure located relative to the region of interest, the marker member having an interior defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end, the lumen being closed at the distal end, and the distal end of the marker member being removably insert able in the visually opaque substance in proximate relationship to a cavity of potential space defined therein;
an external access member contiguously connected to the proximal end of the marker member, at least a portion of the external access member extending from the marker member to a location external to the visually opaque substance when the marker member is in removable insertable position in the visually opaque substance, the external access member including a gas metering device;
an imaging material contained within the lumen via the closed distal end, such that the imaging material does not directly contact the visually opaque substance, wherein the imaging material produces a signal detectable external to the visually opaque substance, the imaging material containing at least one radiopharmaceutical material, the imaging material producing an image detectable by positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography, the gas metering device configured to movably position the imaging material at a discrete location relative to a longitudinal plane of the marker member; and
a pressure equalization member operatively connected to the lumen near or adjacent to the distal end.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for visualizing structure located on the interior of a biological substance. The device includes a marker member that may be a solid cylinder or lumen having an interior volume having a distal end removably insertable in the biological substance relative to the interior structure to be visualized. An image-enhancing material is contained relative to the marker member in a manner such that the imaging material does not directly contact the biological substance. The imaging material of choice is one capable of producing an emission or signal detectable external to the biological substance by suitable imaging instrumentation. Also disclosed is a method for visualizing critical structures or radiation therapy targets in imaging processes such as positron emission tomography and/or single photon emission computerized tomography, MRI, or ultrasound either used alone or in combination or in registration with anatomical imaging processes such as computed tomography or mammography.
16 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A device for visualizing a structure located on the interior of a visually opaque substance relative to a region of interest in a body, the device comprising:
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a marker member, the marker member composed of a biologically stable material, the marker member configured to permit non-obstructive visualization, via positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography, of at least one structure located relative to the region of interest, the marker member having an interior defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end, the lumen being closed at the distal end, and the distal end of the marker member being removably insert able in the visually opaque substance in proximate relationship to a cavity of potential space defined therein; an external access member contiguously connected to the proximal end of the marker member, at least a portion of the external access member extending from the marker member to a location external to the visually opaque substance when the marker member is in removable insertable position in the visually opaque substance, the external access member including a gas metering device; an imaging material contained within the lumen via the closed distal end, such that the imaging material does not directly contact the visually opaque substance, wherein the imaging material produces a signal detectable external to the visually opaque substance, the imaging material containing at least one radiopharmaceutical material, the imaging material producing an image detectable by positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography, the gas metering device configured to movably position the imaging material at a discrete location relative to a longitudinal plane of the marker member; and a pressure equalization member operatively connected to the lumen near or adjacent to the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for visualizing an anatomical structure located in an interior of a visually opaque substance, the anatomical structure communicating with an external orifice, the device comprising:
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a marker member, the marker member composed of a biologically stable material, the marker member having an interior defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end, the lumen being closed at the distal end, and the distal end of the marker member configured to be removably insertable in the anatomical structure defined in the visually opaque substance; an external access member contiguously connected to the proximal end of the marker member, at least a portion of the external access member extending from the marker member to a location external to the visually opaque substance when the marker member is in removably insertable position in the anatomical structure in the visually opaque substance, the external access member including a gas metering device; an imaging material contained within the lumen via at least the closed distal end, such that the imaging material does not directly contact the anatomical structure, the imaging material being a radiopharmaceutical compound having a radioisotope capable of producing a positron decay product, the imaging material producing a signal detectable external to the visually opaque substance wherein the decay product produced by the radiopharmaceutical compound produces products of an energy spectrum of varying wavelengths including at least one of photons, electrons, annihilation photons and positrons, the products detectable by detection devices external to the visually opaque substance, the decay product detectable by positron emission tomography detectors and single photon emission computed tomography detectors, the gas metering device configured to movably position the imaging material at a discrete location relative to a longitudinal plane of the marker member; and a pressure equalization member operatively connected to the lumen near or adjacent to the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A device for visualizing anatomical structures located on the interior of a biological system, the device comprising:
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a marker member, the marker member composed of a biologically stable material configured to permit non-obstructive visualization, via positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography, of an anatomical structure of interest, the marker member having an interior defining at least one lumen, a proximal end, a distal end opposed to the proximal end, the at least one lumen being closed at the distal end, and the distal end removably insertable in a suitable cavity defined as an anatomical structure in the biological system; an external access member contiguously connected to the proximal end of the marker member, at least a portion of the external access member extending from the marker member to a location external to the biological system when the marker member is in removable insertable position in the biological system, the external access member including a gas metering device; an imaging material contained within the at least one lumen via at least the closed distal end, such that the imaging material does not directly contact the biological system, the imaging material producing a signal detectable external to the biological system and comprising at least one radiopharmaceutical material, the imaging material producing at least one decay product including at least one of photons, electrons, annihilation photons, and positrons, the product detectable by detection devices external to the biological system, the detectable product detectable by positron emission tomography detectors and single photon emission computed tomography detectors; the gas metering device configured to movably position the imaging material at a discrete location relative to a longitudinal plane of the marker member while the marker member is in position in the biological system; and a pressure equalization member operatively connected to the lumen near or adjacent to the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for visualizing structure in a body, the method comprising:
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registering a first image with a second image, wherein the first image is derived from PET and SPECT, and the second image is derived from at least one of MRI, CT, or ultrasound, wherein the first and second images include at least one region of interest elucidated by a device removably inserted in the body, the removably inserted device including a marker member composed of a biologically stable material, wherein the marker member includes; a. an interior defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end, the lumen being closed at the distal end, and the distal end of the marker member being removably insertable in the body in proximate relationship to a cavity or potential space defined therein; b. an external access member contiguously connected to the proximal end of the marker member, at least a portion of the external access member extending from the marker member to a location external to the body when the marker member is in a removably inserted position in the body, the external access member including a gas metering device; c. imaging material contained within the lumen via at least the closed distal end, such that the imaging material does not directly contact the substance to be imaged, wherein the imaging material produces a signal detectable external to the body, the gas metering device configured to movably position the imaging material at a discrete location relative to a longitudinal plane of the marker member; and d. a pressure equalization member operatively connected to the lumen near or adjacent to the distal end; and removing the marker member having the imaging material therein after recording the images. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification