Echogenic Biopsy Marker Hydration Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy site markers, particularly in breast biopsies, face challenges in providing adequate ultrasound visibility, often being confused with natural breast tissue features, and may not remain effectively identifiable over time due to absorption of bioabsorbable carriers.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy site marker comprising a bioabsorbable carrier with embedded radiopaque or echogenic marker elements, which expands and hydrates to enhance ultrasound visibility, using microspheres for improved reflection and potentially incorporating polymer-based materials for enhanced echogenic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bioabsorbable carrier is used for the marker, then the marker is biocompatible and resorbed by the body, but the ultrasound visibility is reduced over time as the carrier absorbs
Solution Approach 1:
The marker combines a bioabsorbable polymer carrier with echogenic materials (such as gas-filled microbubbles or reflective particles) to create a composite structure that maintains ultrasound visibility while being biocompatible. The echogenic materials are embedded within or attached to the polymer carrier, providing sustained acoustic reflection as the carrier gradually resorbs.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker utilizes acoustic property changes rather than visual color changes - specifically, the echogenic materials maintain consistent acoustic reflectivity while the polymer carrier's acoustic properties change during resorption. This ensures the marker remains distinguishable from surrounding tissue throughout the absorption process.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple geometric shapes are used for the marker, then the manufacturing is easy, but the ultrasound visibility and differentiation from tissue features is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The marker employs non-spherical geometric shapes (such as linear, planar, or irregular configurations) that create distinctive acoustic shadowing patterns and reflection characteristics. These geometric variations are localized to the marker structure itself, allowing easy manufacturing through molding or fabrication techniques while providing unique acoustic signatures that differentiate the marker from natural tissue features.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the marker remains visible for a long time, then the biopsy site can be located later, but the echogenic materials may cause interference with subsequent imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The marker's echogenic properties are designed to remain stable during the desired visibility period but gradually diminish as the polymer carrier resorbs. The gas-filled microbubbles or reflective particles maintain consistent acoustic reflection while embedded in the degrading polymer matrix, providing prolonged visibility without creating persistent imaging artifacts once the marker has served its purpose.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The marker provides sustained ultrasound visibility and easy identification of the biopsy site, even after carrier absorption, by leveraging hydration and echogenic materials for clear imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a marker element comprising a solid body formed of a polymer based material and impregnated with a plurality of additives configured to enhance the visibility of the marker element under x-ray and ultrasound imaging
Implementation Method 2
configured to enhance the visibility of the marker element under x-ray and ultrasound imaging
Data Source
AI summary
A marker delivery device includes a delivery catheter, a marker, and a push rod. The delivery catheter is adapted to be inserted into a biopsy site. The delivery catheter includes a discharge opening. The marker includes a marker element disposed in an outer carrier. The marker element contains a polymer with a plurality of microspheres configured to enhance visibility under ultrasound imaging. The marker being positioned inside the delivery catheter near the discharge opening. The push rod is positioned within the delivery catheter and adapted to deploy the marker from the delivery catheter into the biopsy site.