Methods and devices for defining and marking tissue

• US 8,277,391 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Foerster, Seth A., Burbank, Fred H., Zerhouni, Elias A., Ritchart, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/213,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20020193815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,709 Days
• Field of Search: 600564-568, 600/458, 600/562, 600/431, 264/4.3, 424/426, 424/484, 424/486, 424/488, 424/9.364, 514/944, 516/102, 516/103, 516/105, 516/106
• US Class Current: 600/564
• 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 or resorptive
• 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

In order to later identify the location of a biopsy or surgery, various means and methods for permanently and non-surgically marking selected tissue in the human body are used. Later visualization of the markers is readily accomplished using state-of-the-art imaging systems.

Claims

1. A method useful in performing a breast biopsy, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a biopsy instrument percutaneously into breast tissue;

removing a tissue sample through the biopsy instrument creating a biopsy site;

prior to withdrawing the biopsy instrument from the breast tissue, introducing a biopsy marker to the biopsy site through the biopsy instrument, wherein the biopsy marker compromises a woven biodegradable material.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of locating the biopsy marker using an imaging system selected from the group consisting of Xray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging systems.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the biopsy marker comprises a material visible by mammographic imaging.

4. A biopsy method comprising:

taking a tissue sample from a biopsy site within a patient via an instrument;

positioning a woven biodegradable marker element at the biopsy site at the time of taking the tissue sample via the instrument; and

relocating the biopsy site by finding the biodegradable element wherein the step of relocating the biopsy site comprises remotely visualizing the biodegradable element by at least a chosen one of ultrasound, MRI, and mammography.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the tissue sample taking step is carried out using a needle biopsy technique.

6. A biopsy method comprising:

taking a tissue sample from a biopsy site within a patient via an instrument;

positioning an ultrasonically detectable, woven biodegradable marker element at the biopsy site at the time of taking the tissue sample via the instrument; and

relocating the biopsy site by finding the biodegradable element using ultrasonic techniques.