IP Library Patent Application 11346715
Patent Application
App. No. 11/346,715

Guided disposable fiducial for breast biopsy localization fixture

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/346,715
Abstract

A fiducial device enhances shelf life and clinical flexibility by including an elongate cavity of a fiducial pointer that may be filled with an imageable material immediately prior to use. A fiducial holder of the fiducial device is guided by a targeting rail of a breast coil localization fixture to a desired position external to a patient. Alternatively, a sleeve guided by the targeting rail may receive the fiducial pointer for providing an internal imageable target.

Claims (32)

1 . An apparatus for performing a minimally invasive medical procedure with reference to a diagnostic image taken of a patient's breast compressed between a medial compression member and a lateral compression member having a biopsy probe support positionable relative to the lateral compression member, the apparatus comprising:

a housing formed of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible material defining an internal cavity;

a port formed in the housing communicating with the internal cavity and operatively configured to receive MRI imageable material; and

a vent formed in the housing for allowing air evacuation during filling.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a septum.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a one-way valve.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a two-way valve.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a leur fitting.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an elongate portion and a proximal portion including an engagement mechanism operatively configured for engagement to the biopsy probe support.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises clear polycarbonate.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an optically transmissive thermoplastic.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises a small hole.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises a porous plug.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the porous plug is formed from a material selected from a group consisting of porous PTFE, porous polyethylene, porous polypropylene, porous polystyrene, and glass frit.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an elongate portion shaped for insertion into a probe sleeve.

13 . An apparatus for performing a biopsy with reference to a diagnostic image taken of a patient's breast, the apparatus comprising:

a medial compression member;

a lateral compression member moved relative to the medial compression member to compress and locate the patient's breast;

a pedestal member positionably coupled to the lateral compression member for locating a lateral coordinate; and

a targeting rail positionably coupled to the pedestal for locating a vertical coordinate and including a biopsy guide defining an angle of penetration.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the biopsy guide further comprises a home position reference, the apparatus further comprising a fiducial holder attachable to the biopsy guide at the home position reference and laterally sized to align a fiducial proximate to the patient's breast at an insertion point along an axis of penetration of the biopsy instrument.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the fuducial holder further comprises an integral fiducial comprising a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imageable material.

16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the fiducial holder further comprises a polymer spring operatively configured to engage the biopsy guide.

17 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the fiducial holder further comprises an engagement member operatively configured to slidingly engage the biopsy guide to the home position reference.

18 . An apparatus for performing a biopsy with reference to a diagnostic image taken of a patient's breast, the apparatus comprising:

a first compression member positionable on a selected side of the patient's breast;

a second compression member positionable on an opposite side of the patient's breast and moved relative to the first compression member to compress and locate the patient's breast;

an opening formed in the first compression member; and

a fiducial container fillable with an imageable fluid and sized for insertion into the opening in the first compression member.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the opening comprises a selected one of a plurality of grid openings shaped for insertion of a probe of a core biopsy device.

20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a probe guide engageable to the first compression member and sized to receive a probe of a core biopsy device, the fiducial container comprising an elongate cannula shaped for insertion through the probe guide.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the probe guide comprises a sleeve having a distal opening, the fiducial container comprises an introducer obturator including a distal piercing tip.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 13, 2010
From: DEVICOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 024672/0088 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2010
From: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, LLC
To: DEVICOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 024656/0727 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2010
From: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
To: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, LLC
Reel/Frame 024369/0626 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2006
From: DIETZ, TIMOTHY G.
To: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 017549/0048 →