CAVITY-FILLING BIOPSY SITE MARKERS
First Claim
1. An ultrasound-detectable biopsy marker mass which has a detectable in-vivo lifetime during which the marker mass remains readily detectable by ultrasound, and which is formed of particles of a bio-resorbable material having bubble cavities and having a particle size between about 200 microns and about 500 microns.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides materials, devices and methods for marking biopsy sites for a limited time. The biopsy-marking materials are ultrasound-detectable bio-resorbable powders, with powder particles typically between about 20 microns and about 800 microns in maximum dimension, more preferably between about 300 microns and about 500 microns. The powders may be formed of polymeric materials containing cavities sized between about 10 microns and about 500 microns, and may also contain binding agents, anesthetic agents, hemostatic agents, and radiopaque markers. Devices for delivering the powders include tubes configured to contain the powders and to fit within a biopsy cannula, the powders being ejected by action of a syringe. Systems may include a tube containing powder, and a syringe containing sterile saline. The tube may be configured to fit within a biopsy cannula such as a Mammotome® or SenoCor 360™ cannula.
117 Citations
94 Claims
- 1. An ultrasound-detectable biopsy marker mass which has a detectable in-vivo lifetime during which the marker mass remains readily detectable by ultrasound, and which is formed of particles of a bio-resorbable material having bubble cavities and having a particle size between about 200 microns and about 500 microns.
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2-75. -75. (canceled)
- 80. An ultrasound-detectable biopsy marker mass which has a detectable in-vivo lifetime during which the marker mass remains readily detectable by ultrasound, and which is formed of particles of a bio-resorbable material having bubble cavities and having a particle size between about 300 microns and about 500 microns.
- 84. A bolus of biopsy marker powder which is ultrasonically detectable in-vivo within a patient'"'"'s biopsy site for a period of at least two weeks but not longer than six months, which comprises a comminuted bio-resorbable polymeric powdered material, at least 80% of the comminuted powder having particles with a particle size of about 300 to about 800 microns and the particles of the comminuted powder having one or more bubble cavities within the particles smaller than the particle size of the particles.
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85. The bolus of biopsy marker powder 84, wherein the particles of the comminuted powder have a particle size between about 300 microns and about 500 microns.
Specification