Deployment of polysaccharide markers

Abstract

The marker member delivery system described has a plurality of marker members disposed within a delivery tube or cannula which contain a suitable polysaccharide such as starch (e.g. corn starch or potato starch) and a binder such as methylcellulose. These marker members are preferably press-formed from powders. The system has preferably has at least one other marker member formed of bioabsorbable material with a radiopaque element attached to or incorporated therein. The marker with a radiopaque marker element is preferably disposed within the delivery tube between two marker members formed of polysaccharide and is preferably formed of a bioabsorbable material other than a polysaccharide.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to and claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 835,740, filed on Aug. 4, 2006, and copending application Ser. No. 11 / 881,264, filed on Jul. 26, 2007, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention is generally directed to remotely detectable, intracorporeal markers and devices and methods for the delivery of such markers to a desired location within a patient's body.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In diagnosing and treating certain medical conditions, it is often desirable to mark a suspicious body site for the subsequent taking of a biopsy specimen, for delivery of medicine, radiation, or other treatment, for the relocation of a site from which a biopsy specimen was taken, or at which some other procedure was performed. As is known, obtaining a tissue sample by biopsy and the subsequent examination are typically employed in the diagnosis of cancers...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system for deploying markers at a site within a patient's body, particularly a biopsy site. The markers are made of polysaccharide containing polyanhydroxyalkyl ether, which quickly absorb body fluid and initiate clotting. The markers can be delivered to the site using a delivery system, such as a syringe-type delivery system, which can be connected to a tubular cutter for biopsy procedures. The system provides long-term identification of the intracorporeal site through the use of a radiopaque element. The markers are designed to provide hemostasis and can be dissolved and degraded by the body's own enzymes.

Problems solved by technology

However, radiographically visible tissue features, originally observed in a mammogram, may be removed, altered or obscured by the biopsy procedure, and may heal or otherwise become altered following the biopsy.

This, in turn, can result in follow-up treatments being misdirected to an undesired portion of the patient's tissue.

Such a marker enables a follow-up procedure to be performed without the need for traditional radiographic mammography imaging which, as discussed above, can be subject to inaccuracies as a result of shifting of the location wire as well as being tedious and uncomfortable for the patient.

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