Abstract:
Detectable markers that may be introduced into a cavity created by removal of a biopsy specimen to mark the location of the biopsy site so that it may be located in a subsequent medical/surgical procedure. The markers remain present in sufficient quantity to permit detection and location of the biopsy site at a first time point (e.g., 2 weeks) after introduction but clear from the biopsy site or otherwise not interfere with imaging of tissues adjacent the biopsy site at a second time point (e.g., 5-7 months) after introduction.
Abstract:
Devices and methods are provided for securely affixing a medical instrument to desired tissue in a patient's body, using a fixation agent. Such medical instruments may comprise localization wires or tissue acquisition instruments, such as biopsy instruments, for example. In the case of tissue acquisition instruments, the inventors have discovered significant advantages for securely affixing the distal end of the tissue acquisition instrument to a particular tissue target area. For example, such an approach permits the imaging environment to be uncoupled from the procedural environment so that expensive and often unavaible imaging equipment, such as stereotactic imaging equipment, need not be used. In a preferred embodiment, a bonding agent, such as adhesive, surgical glue, or a solvent, is used as the fixation agent.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical biopsy device includes a stylet and a cannula movably mounted on a base. The stylet has a shaft with a head at its distal end and a stylet ablation element extending distally from the head. The stylet shaft is disposed through the cannula for axial translation therein between withdrawn and extended positions. The cannula has an opening at its distal end and a cannula ablation element adjacent the opening. Both ablation elements are activatable with energy that ablates adjacent tissue. A translation mechanism controllably moves (a) the stylet between the withdrawn and extended positions and (b) the cannula between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the base. In use, with the stylet in the withdrawn position against the distal end of the cannula, and with the stylet ablation element activated, the stylet and the cannula are pushed through the skin and the underlying tissue until the stylet head is adjacent a targeted tissue mass. Next, the stylet is extended distally from the distal end of the cannula so that its head penetrates the tissue mass. The cannula ablation element is then activated, and the cannula is pushed through the tissue mass toward the stylet head, thereby cutting a "core" through the tissue mass that is captured as a tissue specimen within the distal end of the cannula. The cannula and the stylet are then removed from the patient's body.
Abstract:
A system for locating and accessing a desired position of radioactive tissue within a patient, comprising and accessing device having an elongated radiation detecting probe configured to be slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the canula of the accessing device, an anchoring device having a deployment actuator configured to deploy an extension wire from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration.
Abstract:
Devices and methods are provided for securely affixing a medical instrument to desired tissue in a patient's body, using a fixation agent. Such medical instruments may comprise localization wires or tissue acquisition instruments, such as biopsy instruments, for example. In the case of tissue acquisition instruments, the inventors have discovered significant advantages for securely affixing the distal end of the tissue acquisition instrument to a particular tissue target area. For example, such an approach permits the imaging environment to be uncoupled from the procedural environment so that expensive and often unavaible imaging equipment, such as stereotactic imaging equipment, need not be used. In a preferred embodiment, a bonding agent, such as adhesive, surgical glue, or a solvent, is used as the fixation agent.
Abstract:
The invention is directed biopsy site markers and methods of marking a biopsy site, so that the location of the biopsy cavity is readily visible by conventional imaging methods, particularly by ultrasonic imaging. The biopsy site markers of the invention have high ultrasound reflectivity, presenting a substantial acoustic signature from a small marker, so as to avoid obscuring diagnostic tissue features in subsequent imaging studies, and can be readily distinguished from biological features. The several disclosed embodiments of the biopsy site marker of the invention have a high contrast of acoustic impedance as placed in a tissue site, so as to efficiently reflect and scatter ultrasonic energy, and preferably include gas-filled internal pores. The markers may have a non-uniform surface contour, such as a porous, irregular, frosted, faceted, multi-planar or lobulate surface, to enhance the acoustic signature. The markers have a characteristic form which is recognizably artificial during medical imaging.
Abstract:
A device for accessing and for isolating a desired site within a patient's body, and for obtaining a body of tissue from a patient at the site that includes an electrosurgical cutting electrode near the distal tip of a shaft, and anchoring mechanism and an electrosurgical side-cutting device. Methods are provided for accessing a target site within a patient's body, anchoring a body tissue at the site, and isolating the body of tissue at the site. The method may be performed for a surgical biopsy or lumpectomy at the target site within a patient's body.
Abstract:
A device and method of using the device to access a desired tissue site within a patient's body and separating a tissue specimen (biopsy) from the tissue site suitable for evaluation. The device includes a probe member having an arcuate tissue cutting RF powered electrode(12) red to and distally spaced from the distal end of the probe and a small dimensioned distal extremity (20) which when an inner lumen thereof is subjected to a vacuum, secured tissue for the specimen to the surface of the distal extremity. A circular RF powered cutting electrode (12) preferably secured to and spaced from the distal end of an outer sheath which when operatively energized with high frequency electrical power and longitudinally moved along the shaft of the probe member severs the tissue specimen secured (25) to the surface of the distal extremity of the probe member from the tissue site. The outer sheath covers the separated specimen.