Remotely activated 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 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . 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, a discharge opening at or near the distal end and an inner lumen extending to and in fluid communication with the discharge opening and at least one marker body having a transmitter or transponder that will emit a detectable signal when interrogated;   b. removing a biopsy specimen from a breast of a patient, thereby creating a biopsy site;   c. inserting the at least one signal emitting body into the biopsy site; and   d. interrogating the signal emitting body to emit a detectable signal which allows the operator to locate the biopsy site.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the marker body is interrogated by an interrogating energy. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the interrogating energy is ultrasound. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the marker body emits a detectable radiofrequency or ultrasound signal when interrogated.