Localization mechanism for an mri compatible biopsy device

Abstract

A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone stereotactic biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture can include a breast compression plate and a biopsy probe support plate for supporting a biopsy probe for movement along multiple perpendicular axes. The position of both the breast compression plate and the biopsy probe support plate can be adjustable along an axis which is generally parallel to a probe needle.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A biopsy device positioning assembly comprising;
 a breast compression member positionable along a Z direction to provide compression of a patient' breast, the breast compression member having a plurality of openings therethrough;   a mount adapted for releasably engaging a biopsy device;   an apparatus for supporting the mount, the apparatus providing adjustable positioning of the mount in an X direction and a Y direction relative to the breast compression member, wherein the X and Y directions are generally perpendicular to one another and the Z direction, and wherein the mount is supported to be advanced and retracted in the Z direction to provide positioning of a portion of a biopsy device supported by the mount through one of the plurality of openings in the breast compression member.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  further comprising a locking member operable to releasably lock the mount in a desired position with respect to the breast compression member. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for use in positioning a biopsy device, comprising:
 a compression member having a plurality of openings therethrough;   a positioning assembly comprising:
 a first support rail extending in an X direction; 
 a second support rail extending in a Y direction generally perpendicular to the X direction; 
 a third support rail extending in a Z direction generally perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction; and 
   a mount for releasably engaging a biopsy device, the mount supported on the positioning assembly and positionable with respect to the compression member in each of the X, Y, and Z directions.   
     
     
         19 . A apparatus for use in biopsy procedures, the apparatus comprising:
 a compression member adjustable along a first direction for providing tissue compression;   at least two generally parallel, spaced apart elongated supports extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, the spaced apart elongated supports having fixed center to center spacing; and   a biopsy probe support slidably supported on an elongated support extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions;   wherein the biopsy probe support is adapted to releasably engage a biopsy device.