MARKER REFLECTOR SYSTEMS WITH LIGHT EMITTERS
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. The marker(s) may be placed within a target tissue region, and the probe may be placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). The marker(s) may include light emitting diodes to provide a visual indication.
1 . A marker sized for introduction into a target tissue region within a patient's body, comprising:
photosensitive diodes configured to convert external light received from a light source outside a patient's body into electrical energy;
an antenna;
a switch coupled with the antenna; and
circuitry configured to:
selectively apply the electrical energy to a light emitting diode (LED) to cause the LED to emit a light, and
selectively apply the electrical energy to the switch to open and close the switch.
2 . The marker of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises a relaxation oscillator coupled to the one or more photosensitive diodes.
3 . The marker of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured such that the light from the light source causes the switch to open and close to modulate electromagnetic signals from a probe reflected by the marker.
4 . The marker of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises a storage circuit coupled to the photosensitive diodes for storing electrical energy generated by the energy converter until a predetermined threshold is achieved, wherein the storage circuit delivers the electrical energy to the LED when the predetermined threshold is achieved.
5 . The marker of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises a sequence generator, the sequence generator configured to control application of the electrical energy to the LED based on the code sequence.
6 . The marker of claim 1 , wherein the external light received from the light source is infrared (IR).
7 . The marker of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry applies the electrical energy to the one or more of the photosensitive diodes during a first period of time, and applies the electrical energy to the switch during a second period of time.
8 . The marker of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry applies the electrical energy to LED and applies the electrical energy to the switch simultaneously.
9 . A system for localization of a target tissue region within a patient's body, comprising:
a probe comprising one or more antennas for transmitting radiofrequency signals into a patient's body and receiving backscatter signals; and
a plurality of markers sized for introduction into a target tissue region within the patient's body, comprising:
photosensitive diodes configured to convert external light received from a light source outside a patient's body into electrical energy;
an antenna;
a switch coupled with the antenna; and
circuitry configured to:
selectively apply the electrical energy to a light emitting diode (LED) to cause the LED to emit a light, and
selectively apply the electrical energy to the switch to open and close the switch.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry comprises a relaxation oscillator coupled to the one or more photosensitive diodes.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry is configured such that the external light from the light source causes the switch to open and close to modulate electromagnetic signals from a probe reflected by the marker.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry comprises a storage circuit coupled to the photosensitive diodes for storing electrical energy generated by the energy converter until a predetermined threshold is achieved, wherein the storage circuit delivers the electrical energy to the LED when the predetermined threshold is achieved.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry comprises a sequence generator, the sequence generator configured to control application of the electrical energy to the LED based on the code sequence.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry applies the electrical energy to the LED during a first period of time, and applies the electrical energy to the switch during a second period of time.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry applies the electrical energy to LED and applies the electrical energy to the switch simultaneously.
16 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising an imaging device configured to detect the light from the LED, analyze a blinking pattern from the LED, and identify a marker based on the blinking pattern.
17 . A method for localization of a target tissue region within a patient's body, comprising:
introducing a marker into the target tissue region, the marker comprising:
photosensitive diodes configured to convert external light from a probe outside a patient's body into electrical energy;
an antenna;
a switch coupled with the antenna; and
circuitry configured to:
selectively apply the electrical energy to a light emitting diode (LED) to cause the LED to emit a light, and
selectively apply the electrical energy to the switch to open and close the switch;
placing the probe adjacent the target tissue region; and
activating the probe, whereupon the probe transmits the external light to the marker causing the LED of the marker to emit the light.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the circuitry of the marker comprises a relaxation oscillator coupled to the one or more photosensitive diodes.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the circuitry of the marker is configured such that the external light from the probe causes the switch to open and close to modulate electromagnetic signals from a probe reflected by the marker.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the circuitry comprises of the marker a storage circuit coupled to the photosensitive diodes for storing electrical energy generated by the energy converter until a predetermined threshold is achieved, wherein the storage circuit delivers the electrical energy to the LED when the predetermined threshold is achieved.