A marking device for rapid intraoperative identification of target lymph nodes and its usage method

Abstract

A marking device for rapid intraoperative identification of target lymph nodes includes a medical titanium clip. One end of the clip is connected to a marking line, the other end of which is a free end. The marking line is a non-absorbable medical suture, 15-20 cm in length. This invention does not require changes to the way the titanium clip is used. Under real-time ultrasound guidance, the medical titanium clip is placed on the target lymph node via puncture, and the severed outer end of the marking line is buried superficially under the skin. When the target lymph node needs to be removed, under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is initially determined. Then, an incision is made at the puncture site from the insertion point, and the non-absorbable medical suture is located. The patient is then guided along the non-absorbable medical suture until the medical titanium clip is reached. This allows for rapid identification of the target lymph node in the surgical field, providing a highly intuitive and convenient method, thus avoiding the omission of target lymph nodes. This benefits patient treatment decisions and prognosis, reduces surgical time, and minimizes the surgical area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, specifically relating to a marking device and its method for facilitating rapid intraoperative identification of target lymph nodes. Background Technology

[0002] The most common initial metastasis route for breast cancer is lymphatic metastasis, especially to the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. Neoadjuvant therapy plays an important role in systemic treatment of breast cancer, which can reduce the clinical stage of axillary lymph node status in some patients. Then, through targeted axillary lymph node dissection, the surgical stage can be downgraded, or even exempted from extensive axillary lymph node dissection, thereby reducing or avoiding the occurrence of postoperative complications such as arm edema.

[0003] Targeted axillary lymph node resection requires preoperative examination and identification of the target lymph node. Current clinical guidelines recommend using a dual tracer method to improve the detection rate of the target lymph node. In addition, before neoadjuvant therapy, markers, such as medical titanium clips, can be placed on the target lymph node via puncture to enable precise removal of the target lymph node during surgery.

[0004] However, in practice, neoadjuvant therapy typically takes four to five months. Because neoadjuvant therapy induces lymphatic fibrosis, and tumor cells obstruct lymphatic vessels, it significantly reduces the drainage and imaging effects of the tracer. Furthermore, neoadjuvant therapy can cause changes in tissue anatomy, fibrosis, and potential interference from multiple lymph nodes. During targeted axillary lymph node resection, the lack of reliable guidance means that doctors often struggle to quickly locate the medical titanium clip markers in the surgical field using only ultrasound guidance and intraoperative palpation. This difficulty in identifying the target lymph node not only prolongs the surgical time and expands the surgical area but also greatly increases the likelihood of missing the target lymph node, thus failing to achieve the intended purpose of targeted axillary lymph node resection and ultimately affecting the patient's treatment decisions and prognosis. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention mainly addresses the technical problems existing in the prior art, and provides a marking device and method for quickly identifying target lymph nodes during surgery.

[0006] The above-mentioned technical problems of the present invention are mainly solved by the following technical solution: a marking device for quick identification of target lymph nodes during surgery, the marking device including a medical titanium clip, one end of which is connected to an identification line, and the other end of the identification line is a free end.

[0007] Preferably, the identification line is a medical non-absorbable suture.

[0008] Preferably, the length of the identification line is 15-20 cm.

[0009] The above-mentioned marking device usage method includes the marking device implantation method and the method of using the marking device to quickly identify target lymph nodes during surgery. The marking device implantation method is as follows: When the marking device needs to be implanted, under real-time ultrasound guidance, a sheath needle is first inserted into the target lymph node in the axilla. After withdrawing the needle from the sheath, the sheath is left as a channel. A medical titanium clip is held in place with titanium clip forceps and delivered to the target lymph node through the sheath. The free end of the identification line remains outside the sheath. Then, the medical titanium clip is placed on the target lymph node, and then the titanium clip is removed sequentially. The clamp and sheath are used, and finally the identification line is tightened appropriately and cut along the skin surface. The cut end of the identification line is buried in the superficial subcutaneous position. The method of quickly identifying the target lymph node during surgery using the marking device is as follows: When the target lymph node needs to be removed, under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is initially determined. Then, it is cut from the puncture wound where the marking device was implanted, and the medical non-absorbable suture is located. Finally, the medical non-absorbable suture is dissected until the medical titanium clip is reached, so that the target lymph node can be quickly identified and removed.

[0010] The diagnostic and treatment process involved in this invention is as follows: After medical staff diagnose a patient with breast cancer complicated by axillary lymph node metastasis through puncture biopsy, they develop a personalized neoadjuvant therapy plan for the patient. Before implementing the neoadjuvant therapy plan, medical staff need to target and mark representative lymph nodes in the patient's axilla, that is, implant the marking device of this invention. The specific process is as follows: Under real-time ultrasound guidance, a sheath needle is first inserted into the target lymph node in the axilla. After the puncture needle is withdrawn from the sheath, the sheath is left as a channel. A titanium clip is held with a titanium clip and delivered to the target lymph node through the sheath. The free end of the identification line remains outside the sheath. Then, the titanium clip is placed on the target lymph node. The titanium clip and the sheath are then removed one after the other. Finally, the identification line is tightened appropriately and cut off along the skin surface. The cut-off outer end of the identification line is buried in the superficial subcutaneous position. After four to five months of neoadjuvant therapy, when it is necessary to remove the target lymph node, the marking device of this invention can be used to quickly identify the target lymph node during the operation. The specific process is as follows: under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is first initially determined, and then an incision is made at the puncture wound where the marking device was implanted, and the medical non-absorbable suture is located. Finally, the medical non-absorbable suture is dissected until the medical titanium clip is reached, and the target lymph node can be quickly identified and removed. The removed target lymph node is then subjected to rapid freezing and pathological section examination to determine the effect of neoadjuvant therapy. If no cancer cells are detected, there is no need to perform extensive axillary lymph node dissection. If cancer cells are still present, extensive axillary lymph node dissection is required.

[0011] This invention makes a slight improvement to the existing medical titanium clip by connecting an identification line to the end of the medical titanium clip to create a new marking device, without changing the way the titanium clip is used. When the marking device of this invention needs to be implanted, under real-time ultrasound guidance, a medical titanium clip marker is placed on the target lymph node via puncture. The free end of the identification line remains outside the sheath. The titanium clip clamp and sheath are removed sequentially. Finally, the identification line is moderately tightened and severed along the skin surface, and the severed outer end of the identification line is buried in a superficial subcutaneous position. After neoadjuvant therapy is completed, when the target lymph node needs to be removed, the marking device of this invention can be used to quickly identify the target lymph node during the operation. Under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is initially determined. Then, an incision is made at the puncture wound from which the marking device was implanted, and the medical non-absorbable suture is located. The suture is followed to the medical titanium clip, allowing for rapid identification of the target lymph node in the surgical field. This is very intuitive and convenient, thus avoiding the omission of the target lymph node, which is beneficial for the patient's treatment decision and prognosis. It also simplifies the operation of targeted axillary lymph node resection, reduces surgical time, narrows the surgical area, and helps alleviate patient pain. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the present invention.

[0013] In the picture, 1-medical titanium clip, 2-identification line. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Example: See Figure 1 The present invention includes a medical titanium clip, one end of which is connected to an identification line, and the other end of the identification line is a free end. The identification line is a medical non-absorbable suture and its length is 15-20 cm.

[0016] The above-mentioned marking device usage method includes the marking device implantation method and the method of using the marking device to quickly identify target lymph nodes during surgery. The marking device implantation method is as follows: When the marking device needs to be implanted, under real-time ultrasound guidance, a sheath needle is first inserted into the target lymph node in the axilla. After withdrawing the needle from the sheath, the sheath is left as a channel. A medical titanium clip is held in place with titanium clip forceps and delivered to the target lymph node through the sheath. The free end of the identification line remains outside the sheath. Then, the medical titanium clip is placed on the target lymph node, and then the titanium clip is removed sequentially. The clamp and sheath are used, and finally the identification line is tightened appropriately and cut along the skin surface. The cut end of the identification line is buried in the superficial subcutaneous position. The method of quickly identifying the target lymph node during surgery using the marking device is as follows: When the target lymph node needs to be removed, under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is initially determined. Then, it is cut from the puncture wound where the marking device was implanted, and the medical non-absorbable suture is located. Finally, the medical non-absorbable suture is dissected until the medical titanium clip is reached, so that the target lymph node can be quickly identified and removed.

[0017] The diagnostic and treatment process involved in this invention is as follows: After medical staff diagnose a patient with breast cancer complicated by axillary lymph node metastasis through puncture biopsy, they develop a personalized neoadjuvant therapy plan for the patient. Before implementing the neoadjuvant therapy plan, medical staff need to target and mark representative lymph nodes in the patient's axilla, that is, implant the marking device of this invention. The specific process is as follows: Under real-time ultrasound guidance, a sheath needle is first inserted into the target lymph node in the axilla. After the puncture needle is withdrawn from the sheath, the sheath is left as a channel. A titanium clip is held with a titanium clip and delivered to the target lymph node through the sheath. The free end of the identification line remains outside the sheath. Then, the titanium clip is placed on the target lymph node. The titanium clip and the sheath are then removed one after the other. Finally, the identification line is tightened appropriately and cut off along the skin surface. The cut-off outer end of the identification line is buried in the superficial subcutaneous position. After four to five months of neoadjuvant therapy, when it is necessary to remove the target lymph node, the marking device of this invention can be used to quickly identify the target lymph node during the operation. The specific process is as follows: under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is first initially determined, and then an incision is made at the puncture wound where the marking device was implanted, and the medical non-absorbable suture is located. Finally, the medical non-absorbable suture is dissected until the medical titanium clip is reached, and the target lymph node can be quickly identified and removed. The removed target lymph node is then subjected to rapid freezing and pathological section examination to determine the effect of neoadjuvant therapy. If no cancer cells are detected, there is no need to perform extensive axillary lymph node dissection. If cancer cells are still present, extensive axillary lymph node dissection is required.

[0018] This invention makes a slight improvement to the existing medical titanium clip by connecting an identification line to the end of the medical titanium clip to create a new marking device, without changing the way the titanium clip is used. When the marking device of this invention needs to be implanted, under real-time ultrasound guidance, a medical titanium clip marker is placed on the target lymph node via puncture. The free end of the identification line remains outside the sheath. The titanium clip clamp and sheath are removed sequentially. Finally, the identification line is moderately tightened and severed along the skin surface, and the severed outer end of the identification line is buried in a superficial subcutaneous position. After neoadjuvant therapy is completed, when the target lymph node needs to be removed, the marking device of this invention can be used to quickly identify the target lymph node during the operation. Under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is initially determined. Then, an incision is made at the puncture wound from which the marking device was implanted, and the medical non-absorbable suture is located. The suture is followed to the medical titanium clip, allowing for rapid identification of the target lymph node in the surgical field. This is very intuitive and convenient, thus avoiding the omission of the target lymph node, which is beneficial for the patient's treatment decision and prognosis. It also simplifies the operation of targeted axillary lymph node resection, reduces surgical time, narrows the surgical area, and helps alleviate patient pain.

[0019] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely representative examples of the present invention. Obviously, the technical solution of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible. All variations that can be directly derived or conceived by those skilled in the art from the content disclosed in this invention should be considered within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A marking device for rapid intraoperative identification of target lymph nodes, characterized in that... The marking device includes a medical titanium clip, with one end of the medical titanium clip connected to an identification line, and the other end of the identification line being a free end.

2. The marking device for rapid intraoperative identification of target lymph nodes according to claim 1, characterized in that... The identification line is a medical non-absorbable suture.

3. A marking device for rapid intraoperative identification of target lymph nodes according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... The length of the identification line is 15-20 centimeters.

4. A method of using the marking device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that... The method of use includes a method for implanting the marking device and a method for rapidly identifying target lymph nodes intraoperatively using the marking device. The method for implanting the marking device is as follows: When the marking device needs to be implanted, under real-time ultrasound guidance, a sheath needle is first inserted into the target lymph node in the axilla. After withdrawing the needle from the sheath, the sheath is left in place as a channel. A titanium clip is held in place with titanium clamps and delivered to the target lymph node through the sheath. The free end of the identification line remains outside the sheath. Then, the titanium clip is placed on the target lymph node, and the titanium clamps and sheath are removed sequentially. The tube is then tightened appropriately and the identification line is severed along the skin surface. The severed outer end of the identification line is buried in a superficial subcutaneous position. The method for quickly identifying the target lymph node during surgery using the marking device is as follows: When the target lymph node needs to be removed, under real-time ultrasound guidance, the position of the medical titanium clip is initially determined. Then, the device is inserted from the puncture wound where the marking device was implanted, and the medical non-absorbable suture is located. Finally, the device is freed along the medical non-absorbable suture until the medical titanium clip is reached, which allows for rapid identification and removal of the target lymph node.

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