Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods

Abstract

An embodiment of a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a first portion including a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture or crosslinking density, and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion includes a second porous matrix that defines a second controlled pore architecture or a second crosslinking density that is different from the first controlled pore architecture or the first crosslinking density, causing the second portion to swell in a different manner than the first portion when the implant is placed in an aqueous environment.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method for mapping a lymphatic system following a cavity generating procedure, comprising:
 providing a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant, the implant including a collagenous matrix having a non-uniform cross-linking density that is configured to cause the implant to swell non-uniformly when placed within an aqueous environment, the implant including a dye or a pigment contained therein;   implanting the provided post-biopsy cavity treatment implant into the cavity;   closing the cavity with the post-biopsy cavity treatment implant implanted therein;   causing the dye/pigment to be released from the implant and to propagate through the lymphatic system, and   visualizing the propagated dye/pigment in the lymphatic system using a selected visualization mode.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the implant in the providing step includes a reservoir disposed within the collagenous matrix, the reservoir containing a volume of the dye/pigment and wherein the causing step includes a step of breaching the reservoir to release the dye/pigment. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the breaching step includes a step of squeezing the implanted post-biopsy cavity treatment implant. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the causing step includes a step of waiting for a predetermined period of time during which the implant degrades within the cavity and releases the dye/pigment. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one of dye and pigment is loaded within the collagenous matrix of the implant. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein visualizing mode in the visualizing step includes at least one of ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, elastography, microwave and the unaided eye. 
     
     
         40 - 73 . (canceled)