Sealant Plug Delivery Methods

Abstract

A bioabsorbable sealant plug that expands in response to contact with moisture in a mammalian body is optimally positioned in a biopsy tract to seal the biopsy tract when a biopsy procedure is completed. In a first method, the leading end of the sealant plug is advanced through the lumen of a coaxial needle by a plunger until a leading end of a supporting leg abuts the patient's skin surface. A second method is performed with a pistol-shaped tool having a trigger that enables adjustment of the plunger. A third embodiment includes a plunger having a bifurcated end that grasps the plug. A fourth embodiment has a turning nut that causes compression of a gasket that clamps down on the plug. A supporting rod and coaxial needle are in parallel relation to one another in a fifth embodiment.

1 . An improved method for blindly positioning a sealant plug in a biopsy tract in an internal organ after taking a biopsy specimen, the improvement comprising: 
 using a calibrated delivery system to position the sealant plug, wherein a trailing end of the positioned sealant plug protrudes out of the biopsy tract beyond the surface of the biopsied internal organ.    
   
   
       2 . An improved method for positioning a sealant plug in a biopsy tract in an internal organ after taking a biopsy specimen, the improvement comprising: 
 using a calibrated delivery system to position the sealant plug, wherein a trailing end of the positioned sealant plug protrudes out of the biopsy tract beyond the surface of the biopsied internal organ.    
   
   
       3 . An improved method for blindly positioning a sealant plug in a biopsy tract in an internal organ after taking a biopsy specimen, the improvement comprising using a system with measurement markings to position the sealant plug so that a trailing end of the sealant plug protrudes from a surface of the biopsied internal organ.  
   
   
       4 . An improved method for positioning a sealant plug in a biopsy tract of a biopsied internal organ, the improvement comprising using a measuring system on an assembly configured to position the sealant plug, without an imaging means, to a desired depth through a coaxial needle.  
   
   
       5 . An improved method for positioning a sealant plug in a biopsy tract of a biopsied internal organ, the improvement comprising using a measuring system supplied on an assembly configured to position the sealant plug blindly, to a desired depth through a coaxial needle.  
   
   
       6 . An improved method for positioning a sealant plug in a biopsy tract of a biopsied internal organ, the improvement comprising using a measuring system on an assembly configured to position the sealant plug, without an imaging means, so that a partial length of the sealant plug protrudes from the biopsied internal organ.  
   
   
       7 . A system for positioning a sealant plug in a coaxial needle, the system comprising: 
 a plunger with a plurality of measurement markings;    a supporting structure adapted to fit adjacent the coaxial needle when the plunger is positioned within the coaxial needle; and    a locking means for locking a position of the plunger relative to the supporting structure.    
   
   
       8 . An improved method for blindly positioning a sealant plug in a biopsy tract in an internal organ after taking a biopsy specimen, the improvement comprising: 
 positioning a trailing end of the positioned sealant plug so that the trailing end protrudes out of the biopsy tract beyond the surface of the biopsied internal organ.