Methods For Imaging
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.
1 . A method of performing a biopsy, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning a sleeve having proximal end, a distal end, and a transverse opening within a tissue mass to be biopsied;
positioning an isotope within the sleeve to substantially align the isotope with the transverse opening;
imaging the isotope within the tissue mass with at least one of PET and BSGI;
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
removing the isotope; and
inserting a biopsy device within the sleeve.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the step of positioning an isotope within the sleeve is performed before the step of positioning the sleeve in the tissue mass.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the step of positioning the isotope within the sleeve comprises inserting an obturator carrying the isotope within the sleeve.
5 . A method of performing a biopsy, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a biopsy needle having a side tissue receiving port in a tissue mass;
inserting an introducer carrying an isotope through at least a portion of biopsy needle;
aligning the isotope with the side tissue receiving port.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the step of inserting an introducer comprises inserting a non-metallic introducer having an isotope portion spaced proximally from a distal end of the introducer.
7 . The method of claim 5 wherein the biopsy needle extends from a housing of the biopsy device, and wherein the step of inserting the introducer comprises inserting the introducer through the housing of the biopsy device.
8 . A biopsy method comprising the steps of:
positioning an obturator having a tissue piercing tip and at least one isotope within a sleeve such that the tip of the obturator extends through a distal end of the sleeve and the isotope is substantially aligned with a side opening in the sleeve;
advancing the obturator and sleeve into a tissue mass;
imaging the isotope aligned with the side opening using at least one of PET and BSGI;
removing the obturator from the sleeve;
inserting a biopsy device having a cutter into the sleeve; and
obtaining a tissue sample with the biopsy device;