Skin Marking Tool for Radiological Imaging Material

Abstract

A marking tool for use in the context of radiological and other medical imaging is disclosed. The product is a marking tool for distributing an imaging material onto a patient's skin to mark that part of the patient's body for imaging. The imaging technician then knows the area of medical interest, such as an internal injury, and can image that area more accurately. The imaging material shows up on a resulting medical image such as an X-Ray, CT Scan, or MRI to direct a radiology professional to the most important area on the image for diagnostic purposes.

1 . A marking tool for distributing an imaging material directly onto a patient's skin to indicate an examination area on the patient's skin and associated medical images, the marking tool comprising:
 a hollow vessel having an opening at one end;   a closed chamber housing imaging material therein, wherein the closed chamber selectively releases the imaging material into the hollow vessel upon bending the hollow vessel and wherein the imaging material is released onto the patient through the opening in the hollow vessel.   
   
   
       2 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the hollow vessel is connected to an applicator for contacting the patient's skin. 
   
   
       3 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said hollow vessel is sufficiently pliable to bend without breaking. 
   
   
       4 . A marking tool according to  claim 3 , wherein said closed chamber is sufficiently brittle to break and release imaging fluid into the hollow vessel upon bending the hollow vessel. 
   
   
       5 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises barium. 
   
   
       6 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises iodine. 
   
   
       7 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises an oil-based compound. 
   
   
       8 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises a Vitamin E based solution. 
   
   
       9 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises gadolinium. 
   
   
       10 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises a means for highlighting an examination area on both a patient's skin and an associated fluoroscopic image. 
   
   
       11 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises a means for highlighting an examination area on a CT scan. 
   
   
       12 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises a means for creating a visible mark that highlights an examination area on a patient's skin. 
   
   
       13 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises a means for highlighting an examination area on an MRI. 
   
   
       14 . A marking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging material comprises a means for highlighting an examination area on an X-Ray. 
   
   
       15 . A marking tool for distributing an imaging material directly onto a patient's skin to indicate an examination area on the patient's medical images, comprising:
 a substantially hollow vessel for holding the imaging material;   a tip at one end of said hollow vessel, said tip defining an opening to the interior of said hollow vessel for controlled distribution of said imaging material; and   an imaging material for distribution through said tip directly onto the patient's skin to mark the examination area.   
   
   
       16 . A marking tool according to  claim 15 , further comprising an applicator in fluid communication with said tip, wherein said imaging material travels through said applicator for distribution directly onto the patient's skin by contacting said applicator with the skin. 
   
   
       17 . A marking tool according to  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of said vessel is formed of a material that is sufficiently pliable such that said imaging material can be squeezed from said vessel through said tip directly onto the patient's skin. 
   
   
       18 . A marking tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said vessel is sufficiently resilient to resist deformation after being subject to compressive force. 
   
   
       19 . A marking tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said imaging material is selected from the group consisting of barium, iodine, and an oil based compound, and gadolinium. 
   
   
       20 . A marking tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said imaging material comprises a means for highlighting an examination area on both a patient's skin and a medical image of the patient. 
   
   
       21 . A marking tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said medical image is selected from the group consisting of an MRI, an X-Ray, a CT scan, and a fluoroscopic image. 
   
   
       22 . A marking tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said imaging material comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, bound iodine, flax seed oil, Vitamin E, and gadolinium. 
   
   
       23 . A marking tool for distributing an imaging material directly onto a patient's skin in a design that indicates an examination area on the patient's medical images, comprising:
 a substantially hollow vessel defining an opening at a first end and a permeable bottom at a second end;   a skin stamp adjacent said permeable bottom;   an imaging material within said hollow vessel, wherein, said vessel releases said imaging material to flood said skin stamp through said permeable bottom.   
   
   
       24 . A marking tool according to  claim 23 , wherein said skin stamp comprises a uniform design for placing a planned pattern of imaging material directly onto a patient's skin. 
   
   
       25 . A marking tool according to  claim 23 , wherein said skin stamp is removable from said permeable bottom. 
   
   
       26 . A marking tool for distributing an imaging material directly onto a patient's skin in a design that indicates an examination area on the patient's medical images, comprising:
 a reservoir of imaging material in fluid communication with a patterned tape, wherein said patterned tape comprises raised ridges for absorbing said imaging material;   a stamping body for pressing said patterned tape onto the patient's skin to release said imaging material in a pattern on said patient's skin.   
   
   
       27 . A marking tool according to  claim 26 , further comprising a dispensing roller within said stamping body for holding said tape. 
   
   
       28 . A marking tool according to  claim 26 , further comprising a take-up roller within said stamping body. 
   
   
       29 . A marking tool according to  claim 26 , further comprising a sponge in fluid communication with said reservoir, wherein said sponge absorbs imaging material from said reservoir and distributes said imaging material onto said tape. 
   
   
       30 . A marking tool for distributing an imaging material directly onto a patient's skin in a design that indicates an examination area on the patient's medical images, comprising:
 a handle;   a marking head attached to said handle;   at least one applicator within said marking head for engaging a patient's skin, wherein said applicator is soaked with imaging material and distributes said imaging material onto the patient.