METHOD OF UTILIZING AN IMPLANT IN A HUMAN BREAST

1 . A method for utilizing an implant in a breast cavity in a human breast, comprising:

forming a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being elastic, compressible, expandable, and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into the biodegradable material, the substantially radio-opaque implant being compressed during implantation in the breast cavity; and

the substantially radio-opaque implant configured to expand in the breast cavity when implanted within the breast cavity for supporting the tissue surrounding the breast cavity.

2 - 30 . (canceled)

31 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said substantially radio-opaque implant has a shape selected to guide delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity.

32 . The method of claim 1 , the substantially radio-opaque implant conforming to the shape of the breast cavity, and serving as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity, wherein a radiation beam directed to the substantially radio-opaque implant delivers radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity without materially irradiating the whole of the breast.

33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via a stereotactic radiation machine.

34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of multiple therapeutically effective dosages of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant in a single treatment.

35 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of therapeutically effective dosages of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant multiple times in a single treatment.

36 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via multidirectional radiation therapy.

37 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via image guided radiation therapy.

38 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via 3-D conformal radiation therapy.

39 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via intensity modulated radiation therapy.

40 . The method of claim 32 comprising initiating targeting of the radiation beam for delivery of the radiation therapy 1 to 120 days subsequent to the placement of the substantially radio-opaque implant in the breast cavity.

41 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising aspirating air from the breast cavity after implanting the substantially radio-opaque implant in the breast cavity.

42 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substantially radio-opaque implant is constructed of a porous material.

43 . A method for using an implant following a biopsy procedure in which a biopsy cavity was formed in a human breast, comprising:

providing a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biodegradable material configured to allow for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the of biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being elastic, compressible, and expandable; and

configuring the substantially radio-opaque implant to conform to the shape of the breast cavity when implanted within the breast cavity to support the tissue surrounding the breast cavity.

44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein said substantially radio-opaque implant has a shape selected to guide the delivery of radiation therapy to the margins around the breast cavity.

45 . The method of claim 44 , comprising:

using the substantially radio-opaque implant within the breast cavity as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity during partial breast radiation therapy; and

directing a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to the substantially radio-opaque implant target such that the whole of the breast is not materially irradiated.

46 . The method of claim 45 further comprising initiating a targeting of the delivery of the radiation therapy 1 to 120 days subsequent to the placement of the substantially radio-opaque implant in the breast cavity.