Imageable biopsy site marker

Abstract

A biopsy site marker having at least one small marker body or pellet of bioresorbable material such as gelatin, collagen, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid which has a radiopaque object, preferably with a non-biological configuration. The at least one bioresorbable body or pellet with a radiopaque object is deposited into the biopsy site, by an delivery device that includes an elongated tubular body with a piston slidable within the tubular body. One end of the tube is placed into the biopsy site. At least one but preferably several marker bodies or pellets are deposited sequentially into the biopsy site through the tube. At least the bioresorbable materials of the detectable markers remain present in sufficient quantity to permit detection and location of the biopsy site at a first time point (e.g., 2 weeks) after introduction but clear from the biopsy site or otherwise do not interfere with imaging of tissues adjacent the biopsy site at a second time point (e.g., 5-7 months) after introduction.

1 . A target tissue localization device comprising: an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, a plurality of bioabsorbable bodies disposed in the lumen and at least one of the bioresorbable bodies within the inner lumen having a radiographically detectable marker with a non-natural shape.  
     
     
         2 - 57 . (canceled)  
     
     
         58 . A target tissue localization device comprising: an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween and at least one swellable bioresorbable body contained within the elongate tubular member; with a radiographically detectable marker contained within the body.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58  wherein the at least one marker body is slidably disposed within the inner lumen.  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 58  wherein a plurality of marker bodies are disposed in the inner lumen.  
     
     
         61 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 58 , wherein at least one bioresorbable body is remotely visualizable by at least one of ultrasound and mammography.  
     
     
         62 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 58 , wherein the radiographically detectable marker is radiopaque.  
     
     
         63 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 58 , wherein the bioresorbable body swells upon contact with body fluid.  
     
     
         64 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 61 , wherein a plurality of bioresorbable bodies swell to substantially fill the biopsy site.  
     
     
         65 . A method for marking a biopsy cavity comprising: 
 a. providing a swellable bioresorbable body containing a radiopaque marker;    b. removing a biopsy specimen from the breast of a patient, thereby creating a biopsy site; and    c. inserting the bioresorbable body into the biopsy site to mark the location of the biopsy site;    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the bioresorbable marker swells upon contact with body fluid.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the biopsy specimen is tested after removal from the patient.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the biopsy site is relocated by detecting the radiographically detectable marker.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the bioresorbable body is collagen.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the bioresorbable body is gelatin.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 66  wherein the bioresorbable body is a polymer formed of polylactic acid.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the bioresorbable body comprises at least one bioresorbable body.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein a plurality of bioresorbable bodies substantially fill the biopsy site.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the biopsy site is relocated by mammography.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the biopsy site is relocated by ultrasound.