Imageable biopsy site 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 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A device for marking a biopsy cavity site comprising:
 an implantable medical device comprising
 a proximal end; 
 a distal end; 
 a lumen disposed between the proximal end and the distal end; and 
 a piece disposed within the lumen, 
   wherein the piece comprises a component that is configured to generate and emit a first signal after receiving a second signal requesting that the component generate and emit the first signal when deployed at the biopsy cavity site thereby marking the biopsy cavity site.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the component is adapted to emit a detectable first signal that comprises a radiofrequency signal or an ultrasound signal after the component receives the second signal. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the second signal comprises an ultrasound signal. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the component comprises a transmitter. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the component comprises an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the second signal comprises a radiofrequency signal. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the component comprises a transmitter. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the component comprises an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         26 . A method, comprising:
 providing a target tissue localization device for marking a biopsy cavity site comprising:
 a proximal end; 
 a distal end; 
 a discharge opening at or near the distal end; 
 a lumen disposed between the proximal end and the distal end extending to and in fluid communication with the discharge opening; 
 a piece disposed within the lumen, 
 wherein the piece comprises a component that is configured to generate and emit a first signal after receiving a second signal requesting that the component generate and emit the first signal when deployed at the biopsy cavity site thereby marking the biopsy cavity site; 
   removing a biopsy specimen from a breast of a patient, thereby creating the biopsy cavity site;   inserting the piece into the biopsy cavity site;   generating a second signal; and   receiving the first signal indicating the biopsy cavity site.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the component is adapted to emit a detectable first signal that comprises a radiofrequency signal or an ultrasound signal after the component receives the second signal. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the second signal comprises an ultrasound signal. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the component comprises a transmitter. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the component comprises an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the second signal comprises a radiofrequency signal. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the component comprises a transmitter. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the component comprises an ultrasound transducer.