Subcutaneous cavity marking device and method

Abstract

These are subcutaneous cavity marking devices and methods. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammographic, echogenic, or other non-invasive imaging techniques. Also, the device contains a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker. The device may be combined with various substances enhancing the radiopaque, mammographic, or echogenic characteristics of the marker or the body allowing it to be observed by any non-invasive imaging techniques. This is further a method of marking a subcutaneous cavity using a bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker in conjunction with the material. The method also may combine any of the features as described with the device.

1 - 66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . A tissue cavity marking device comprising:
 a bioabsorbable body; and   at least two radiopaque markers carried by the bioabsorbable body to mark at least a portion of the perimeter of the bioabsorbable body.   
     
     
         68 . The tissue cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein the bioabsorbable body is configured to expand within a tissue cavity. 
     
     
         69 . The tissue cavity marking device of  claim 68  wherein the bioabsorbable body is configured to expand to provide resistance against the walls of the tissue cavity. 
     
     
         70 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein the bioabsorbable body is resilient. 
     
     
         71 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein the bioabsorbable body degrades at a predetermined rate. 
     
     
         72 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  comprising at least three radiopaque markers carried by the bioabsorbable body. 
     
     
         73 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  comprising at least three radiopaque markers evenly aligned along an axis of the bioabsorbable body. 
     
     
         74 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  comprising at least three radiopaque markers carried by the bioabsorbable body and disposed along the body such that the markers facilitate determination of the orientation of the tissue cavity marking device within the cavity. 
     
     
         75 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein the bioabsorbable body comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         76 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein the bioabsorbable body comprises at least one of PGA, PLA, and copolymers of PGA and PLA. 
     
     
         77 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein at least a portion of the device comprises a helical configuration. 
     
     
         78 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein at least one of the radiopaque marker comprises the helical configuration. 
     
     
         80 . The cavity marking device of  claim 67  wherein the at least two radiopaque markers are disposed in a perimeter marking pattern. 
     
     
         81 . A biopsy cavity marking device comprising:
 a body having a length; and   at least three spaced radiopaque markers placed along the length of the body.   
     
     
         82 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein the radiopaque markers are placed along the length of the body to mark the biopsy cavity perimeter. 
     
     
         83 . The biopsy cavity marking device of claim.  81  wherein the radiopaque markers are placed to provide directionality of the cavity. 
     
     
         84 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein the marking device is configured to expand within the cavity. 
     
     
         85 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein radiopaque markers the aligned along an axis of the body. 
     
     
         86 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein the radiopaque markers are evenly aligned along an axis of the body.) 
     
     
         87 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein the body is bioabsorbable. 
     
     
         88 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein the markers are in a form selected from the group consisting of a ring, a band, a wire, and a suture. 
     
     
         89 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein the markers comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, gold, platinum, nickel, iridium, rhodium, tungsten, tantalum, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         90 . The biopsy cavity marking device of  claim 81  wherein the body comprises a biodegradable polymer, and wherein each radiopaque marker comprises a metallic portion joined to the body.