Marker delivery device with obturator

Abstract

A marker delivery device includes an obturator having an elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end, and a substantially sealed distal end. The substantially sealed distal end is formed of a penetrable membrane. A marker delivery tube is configured to be slidably disposed within the internal lumen of the obturator. The marker delivery tube has a marker delivery lumen, a proximal end, and a distal tip. The marker delivery lumen is configured to contain one or more tissue markers. The distal tip is configured to puncture the penetrable membrane of the substantially sealed distal end of the obturator to form a passage through which the distal tip extends to facilitate delivery of the one or more tissue markers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 499,466, filed Aug. 4, 2006, entitled, “MARKER DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH OBTURATOR”.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to the field of medical devices and methods. In particular, the invention relates to devices and methods for marking a biopsy site.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In modern medical practice small tissue samples, known as biopsy specimens, are often removed from tumors, lesions, organs, muscles and other tissues of the body. Such removal of tissue samples may be accomplished by open surgical technique (i.e., removal of a small sample of tissue through a small surgical incision using a local anesthetic), or through the use of a specialized biopsy instrument such as a biopsy needle. After the tissue samples have been removed, they are typically subjected to diagnostic tests or examinations such as a) gross and microscopic examinatio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In one embodiment having features of the present invention the device includes an obturator which has an elongated shaft with a internal lumen, a proximal end, and a substantially sealed distal end which prevents or minimizes the backflow of body fluids, such as blood, though the lumen of the obturator. The substantially sealed distal end can be a penetrable membrane or may have petals or a duckbill-type valve which are configured to allow passage of one or more intracorporeal objects or a delivery tube with one or more intracorporeal objects therethrough while preventing or minimizing entry of body fluids into the inner lumen of the obturator. Preferably the obturator is configured to fit within a procedure cannula, e.g. a cannula of a biopsy device, for example, the cannula of SenoRx's EnCor™ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Breast Biopsy System. The cannula provides access to the desired location within the patient's body.

[0017]The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to a method for delivering a tissue marker to a site within a body of a patient. The method includes providing an obturator having an elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end and a substantially sealed distal end, the substantially sealed distal end being formed of a penetrable membrane; providing a marker delivery tube containing one or more tissue markers, the marker delivery tube having a distal tip; slidably disposing the marker delivery tube within the internal lumen of the obturator; advancing the marker delivery tube within the internal lumen of the obturator toward the penetrable membrane of the substantially sealed distal end of the obturator; and puncturing the penetrable membrane of the substantially sealed distal end of the obturator with the distal tip of the marker delivery tube to form a passage through which the distal tip extends to facilitate delivery of the one or more tissue markers to the site.

[0018]The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention offer improved delivery by minimizing the backflow of body fluids, such as blood, though the obturator lumen and thereby decreasing a risk of clot formation in the obturator. These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Problems solved by technology

This backflow of blood into the obturator creates a risk of blood clotting.

After the biopsy sample is taken, it may take several days or weeks before the results of the examination of the sample are obtained, and still longer before an appropriate treatment decision is reached.

However, radiographically imageable tissue features, originally detected in a mammogram, may be removed, altered or obscured by the biopsy procedure.

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