Biopsy marker delivery system
View Patent ↗An apparatus for delivering subcutaneous cavity marking devices. More particularly, the delivery devices may be used with biopsy systems permitting efficient placement of a biopsy marker within a cavity. The device may include an intermediate member which assists in deployment of the marking device. The devices may also include a deployment lock to prevent premature deployment of a biopsy marker. The invention may further include the capability to match an orientation of a biopsy probe which has been rotated upon procurement of a biopsy sample.
1. A tissue marker delivery device comprising:
a tube having a lumen extending therethrough;
a tissue marker removably seated in a marker seat at a distal end of said tube;
a rod slidably located within the tube lumen;
an intermediate member extending the length of the marker seat and separating said rod from said tissue marker, where advancement of said rod in a distal direction displaces the intermediate member to displace the tissue marker from said marker seat; and
a deployment lock having a portion removably attached to the tube, wherein when the portion contacts the rod, the rod is prevented from moving.
2. The tissue marker delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member is discrete from both the rod and the tissue marker.
3. The tissue marker delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member comprises a flexible covering.
4. The tissue marker delivery device of claim 3 , wherein the flexible covering is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and FEP.
5. The tissue marker delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid between the rod and the intermediate member, wherein advancement of the rod in a distal direction displaces the fluid to displace the intermediate member.
6. A method for marking a biopsy cavity comprising the steps of:
providing a delivery device comprising
a tube having a lumen extending therethrough;
a rod slideably located in the lumen of the tube;
a tissue marker removably located at the distal end of the tube; and
an intermediate member separating the rod from the tissue marker; advancing the delivery device to the biopsy cavity; releasing a deployment lock to permit distal movement of the rod; actuating the rod to displace a portion of the intermediate member of the delivery device; and
depositing the tissue marker in the biopsy cavity.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the delivery device further comprises a fluid between the rod and the intermediate member, where advancement of the rod in a distal direction displaces the fluid to displace the intermediate member.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the deployment lock comprises a portion removably attached to the tube, wherein when the portion of the deployment lock contacts the rod, the rod is prevented from moving.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the intermediate member comprises a flexible covering.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the flexible covering is made from a material selected form the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and FEP.