Biopsy marker delivery system

Abstract

A method for marking a biopsy cavity using a delivery device is provided. The delivery device may include a tube having a lumen and a side exit port communicating with the lumen, a rod slideably located in the lumen of the tube, and a tissue marker removably located at the distal end of the tube. The tissue marker may include a bioabsorbable material and a radiopaque marker. The radiopaque marker may be a metal band, a metal wire, or identified with a number, letter, symbol, or combination thereof.

1 . A method for marking a biopsy cavity comprising the steps of:
 providing a delivery device comprising:
 a tube having a lumen extending therethrough and a side exit port communicating with the lumen; 
 a rod slideably located in the lumen of the tube; and 
 a tissue marker removably located at the distal end of the tube, wherein the marker comprises a bioabsorbable material and a metal band; 
   advancing the delivery device to the biopsy cavity;   actuating the rod to displace the tissue marker through the side exit port; and   depositing the tissue marker in the biopsy cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bioabsorbable material is disposed through the metal band. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal band is disposed within the bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery device further comprises an intermediate member separating the rod from the tissue marker. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the delivery device further comprises a fluid between the rod and the intermediate member, where advancement of the rod in a distal direction displaces the fluid to displace the intermediate member. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate member comprises a flexible covering. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible covering is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and FEP. 
     
     
         8 . A method for marking a biopsy cavity comprising the steps of:
 providing a delivery device comprising:
 a tube having a lumen extending therethrough and a side exit port communicating with the lumen; 
 a rod slideably located in the lumen of the tube; and 
 a tissue marker removably located at the distal end of the tube, wherein the marker comprises a bioabsorbable material and a metal wire; 
   advancing the delivery device to the biopsy cavity;   actuating the rod to displace the tissue marker through the side exit port; and   depositing the tissue marker in the biopsy cavity.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wire is disposed about the bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wire is disposed within the bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wire is in the shape of a letter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wire is in the shape of the letter “V”. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wire is configured in a particular pattern within the bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the delivery device further comprises an intermediate member separating the rod from the tissue marker. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the delivery device further comprises a fluid between the rod and the intermediate member, where advancement of the rod in a distal direction displaces the fluid to displace the intermediate member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate member comprises a flexible covering. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible covering is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and FEP. 
     
     
         18 . A method for marking a biopsy cavity comprising the steps of:
 providing a delivery device comprising:
 a tube having a lumen extending therethrough and a side exit port communicating with the lumen; 
 a rod slideably located in the lumen of the tube; and 
 a tissue marker removably located at the distal end of the tube, wherein the marker comprises a bioabsorbable material and a radiopaque marker identified with a number, letter, symbol, or combinations thereof; 
   advancing the delivery device to the biopsy cavity;   actuating the rod to displace the tissue marker through the side exit port; and   depositing the tissue marker in the biopsy cavity.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the radiopaque marker is suspended in the interior of the bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the radiopaque marker is affixed to the surface of the bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the radiopaque marker is affixed to the interior of the bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the radiopaque marker is a wire. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the wire is in the shape of a letter. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the letter is a “V.” 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the delivery device further comprises an intermediate member separating the rod from the tissue marker. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the delivery device further comprises a fluid between the rod and the intermediate member, where advancement of the rod in a distal direction displaces the fluid to displace the intermediate member. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the intermediate member comprises a flexible covering. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the flexible covering is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and FEP.