Biopsy cavity marking device
View Patent ↗These are site marking devices for marking a selected site within tissue of a patient. More particularly, the devices include an elongated body of gel and a metallic band disposed at least partially surrounding the body of gel. The body of gel is recognizably artificial when the marker is subject to ultrasound or x-ray imaging. Therefore, it is readily distinguishable from biological features within the tissue site.
1. A biopsy marker for marking a selected biopsy site within tissue of a patient, comprising:
a) a body of expandable, bioabsorbable material, the body defining a first closed volume prior to deployment within the biopsy site, and the body defining a second, larger generally closed volume after being placed within the biopsy site, and wherein the body has a generally continuous outer surface enclosing the volume; and
b) a radiopaque marker carried by the body, wherein the radiopaque marker is recognizably artificial when the marker is subject to ultrasound or X-ray imaging, so as to be readily distinguishable from biological features within the biopsy site; and
wherein the body is expandable relative to the radiopaque marker.
2. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises collagen.
3. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a matrix.
4. The biopsy marker of claim 3 wherein the body comprises a collagen-fibrin matrix.
5. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a synthetic polymer.
6. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises PGA.
7. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises PLA.
8. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a gel.
9. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a block copolymer.
10. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a random copolymer.
11. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a number of pores through which tissue may grow.
12. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises an outer shell.
13. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the radiopaque marker is disposed about at least a portion of the outer surface of the body.
14. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the radiopaque marker comprises a metallic marker.
15. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body has a first shape prior to deployment into the biopsy site, and a second shape different from the first shape after being deployed into the biopsy site.
16. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the radiopaque marker does not expand and does not change shape upon being deployed into the biopsy site.
17. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a plurality of pores traversing the thickness of the body.
18. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a plurality of randomly oriented pores traversing the thickness of the body.
19. The biopsy marker of claim 1 wherein the body includes hemostatis-promoting agent.
20. The biopsy marker of claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque marker includes a metallic marker having a helical coil shape.