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 a 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 for marking a biopsy cavity site comprising: an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen therebetween and at least one bioabsorbable solid body having a radiographically detectable component contained within the inner lumen of the elongate tubular member and bioabsorbable powder within the inner lumen which are collectively configured to at least partially fill the biopsy cavity site when disposed therein. 
     
     
         2 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 1 , wherein the bioresorbable solid body is remotely imagable by at least one of ultrasound and mammography. 
     
     
         3 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the radiographically detectable component is radiopaque. 
     
     
         4 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bioresorbable body swells upon contact with body fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The target tissue localization device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bioresorbable body swells to substantially fill the biopsy site. 
     
     
         6 . A method for marking a biopsy cavity for subsequent remote imaging, comprising:
 a. providing a target tissue localization device for marking a biopsy cavity site comprising: an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen therebetween and at least one bioabsorbable solid body having a radiographically detectable component contained within the inner lumen of the elongate tubular member and bioabsorbable powder within the inner lumen which are collectively configured to at least partially fill the biopsy cavity site when disposed therein;   b. removing a biopsy specimen from a breast of a patient, thereby creating a biopsy site; and   c. inserting the at least one bioabsorbable solid body and powder into the biopsy site to at least partially fill and thereby mark the location of the biopsy site.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the at least one bioabsorbable marker body and powder are collectively configured to at least partially fill the biopsy cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the at least one bioabsorbable marker body has a detectable first bioabsorbable component with a first bioabsorption rate and a second component mixed with or coating the first component with a second bioabsorption rate different from the first bioabsorption rate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the bioabsorption rate of the first component is greater than the second component. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the at least one bioabsorbable marker body swells upon contact with body fluid at the biopsy site. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the biopsy specimen is tested after removal from the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first component is radiographically detectable. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biopsy site is relocated after the biopsy by detecting the at least one bioabsorbable marker body having a radiographically detectable first component. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bioabsorbable marker body having a radiographically detectable first component is formed at least in part of collagen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bioabsorbable marker body having a radiographically detectable first component is formed at least in part of gelatin. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bioabsorbable marker body having a radiographically detectable first component is formed at least in part of a polylactic acid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biopsy site is relocated by detecting the radiographically detectable first component by mammography.