Biopsy devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A biopsy apparatus comprising:
- a hollow, relatively flexible tube having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, wherein the tube comprises a completely solid wall extending between the open proximal end and the closed distal end;
an elongate member advanceable in the tube and having a distal end, wherein the elongate member comprises at least one indicia positioned along a length of the elongate member; and
at least one isotope disposed within the tube, wherein the isotope is positioned proximal to the closed distal end of the tube, such that a portion of the tube extends distally between the isotope and the closed distal end of the tube, and wherein the isotope is coupled to the elongate member at a position proximal to the distal end of the elongate member;
wherein the indicia of the elongate member is configured to align with the proximal end of the tube to position the isotope at a predetermined position along a length of the tube.
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Abstract
Biopsy devices and methods useful with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) are disclosed. A biopsy device including a flexible tube having a side aperture, and a PET or BSGI imageable material disposed within the flexible tube is disclosed. A biopsy method is disclosed that includes advancing a flexible tube having a PET or BSGI imageable material distally through the biopsy device. Various other embodiments and applications are disclosed.
44 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A biopsy apparatus comprising:
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a hollow, relatively flexible tube having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, wherein the tube comprises a completely solid wall extending between the open proximal end and the closed distal end; an elongate member advanceable in the tube and having a distal end, wherein the elongate member comprises at least one indicia positioned along a length of the elongate member; and at least one isotope disposed within the tube, wherein the isotope is positioned proximal to the closed distal end of the tube, such that a portion of the tube extends distally between the isotope and the closed distal end of the tube, and wherein the isotope is coupled to the elongate member at a position proximal to the distal end of the elongate member; wherein the indicia of the elongate member is configured to align with the proximal end of the tube to position the isotope at a predetermined position along a length of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A biopsy apparatus comprising:
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a biopsy needle having a side aperture; a hollow, relatively flexible continuous tube having an open proximal end and a closed distal end; a flexible elongate member advanceable in the tube and having a distal end; and at least one isotope disposed within the tube, wherein the isotope is coupled to the elongate member at a position proximal to the distal end of the elongate member, wherein the elongate member comprises a proximal portion proximal of the isotope, wherein the elongate member comprises a distal portion distal of the isotope; wherein the tube is slidably disposed in the biopsy needle, wherein the isotope is positionable adjacent to the side aperture of the biopsy needle; wherein the tube and the elongate member are relatively flexible, wherein the proximal portion of the elongate member is more flexible than the distal portion of the elongate member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification