Method and apparatus for sentinel node biopsies

• US 6,261,240 B1
• Filed: 11/22/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kara L. Carlson, Steve Abedon
• Original Assignee: Kara L. Carlson, Steve Abedon
• Inventors: Abedon, Steve, Carlson, Kara L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Szmal, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/443,757
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 600/566, 600/567, 600/578, 600/562, 600/585, 600/581, 600/582, 606/185
• US Class Current: 600/562
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved sentinel lymph node localization wire for use in breast cancer patients undergoing nodal staging. A hollow wire having an anchoring hook at the distal end is inserted into the breast tissue through a loading needle. The anchoring hook, through spring action upon release from the loading needle, is embedded in the breast tissue near the location of cancerous cells. The loading needle is then removed and radioactive material may be injected into the tissue through perforations in the localization wire without leaving the needle in the patient or without reinserting the needle. A syringe attachment may be affixed to the proximal end of the hollow wire to facilitate the injection of radioactive material and blue dye for localizing the sentinel lymph node.

Claims

1. An anchorable hollow wire for use in injecting fluids into tissue of a patient, the wire comprising:

an elongated hollow shaft through which fluids can be injected and having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a hook combined with the hollow shaft at the hollow shaft distal end;

said shaft having at least one opening generally near the distal end to provide for discharge of fluids from the shaft into the tissue of a patient.

2. The anchorable hollow wire of claim 1 wherein:

the hook is movable from a constrained position to an anchoring position.

3. The anchorable hollow wire of claim 2 wherein:

the hook is movable through spring action from its flexed, constrained position generally parallel with the hollow shaft to its extended, anchoring position wherein the angle formed between the hook and the hollow shaft is greater than the angle formed when the hook is in the flexed position.

4. A hollow sentinel node localization wire comprising:

a hollow shaft having at least one wall, at least one proximal end, and a distal end;

said wall having a perforated region defining at least one discharge opening located generally near the distal end; and

a hook integral with the shaft generally near the distal end.

5. The hollow sentinel node localization wire of claim 4 wherein:

the perforated region defines a plurality of discharge openings located generally near the distal end and distributed generally along the shaft.

6. The hollow sentinel node localization wire of claim 4 wherein:

the perforated region defines a plurality of discharge openings located generally near the distal end and distributed along the shaft in a generally spiral pattern at locations separated by a rotation of about 90 degrees.

7. The hollow localization wire of claim 4 further comprising:

a removable loading needle having a wall that forms an opening, said opening adapted to receive the hollow localization wire.

8. The hollow localization wire of claim 4 further comprising:

a syringe receptor engaging the hollow wire near the proximal end.

9. The hollow localization wire of claim 8 wherein:

the syringe receptor comprises a Leur lock.

10. The hollow localization wire of claim 8 wherein:

the syringe receptor comprises a rotating hemostatic valve.

11. The hollow localization wire of claim 8 wherein:

the syringe receptor is removable.

12. The hollow localization wire of claim 8 wherein:

the hook is movable from a constrained position to an anchoring position.

13. The hollow localization wire of claim 8 wherein:

the hook is movable through spring action from its flexed, constrained position generally parallel with the hollow shaft to its extended, anchoring position wherein the angle formed between the hook and the hollow shaft is greater than the angle formed when the hook is in the flexed position.

14. A method of safely injecting a tracer into a patient for performing a sentinel node biopsy comprising the steps of:

inserting a hollow localization wire into a patient;

anchoring the hollow localization wire in the patient; and

injecting at least one tracer through the hollow localization wire.

15. The method of claim 14 safely injecting a tracer into a patient for performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy comprising the steps of:

inserting a hollow localization wire into a patient through a loading needle;

anchoring the hollow localization wire in the patient;

removing the loading needle from the patient; and

injecting at least one tracer through the hollow localization wire.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

anchoring the hollow localization wire in the patient with a spring action hook that moves from a constrained position to an anchoring position upon release from the loading needle.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein:

at least one injected tracer is a radioactive tracer.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein:

at least one injected tracer is a dye.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

affixing a syringe attachment to the hollow localization wire;

injecting at least one tracer through the syringe attachment.