Marker for identifying surgical cavity in targeted radiation

Abstract

A marker for identifying a portion of a surgical margin includes a first element to attach the marker to the surgical margin of a surgical cavity located in a body of a patient, and a second element attached to the first element. The second element includes an indicator to uniquely identify the portion of the surgical margin through a radiological scan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a first element configured to attach the device to an area associated with a surgical cavity; and   a second element comprising an indicator that is detectable via a radiological scan,
 wherein a remaining portion of the second element, other than the indicator, is less detectable via the radiological scan relative to the indicator, and 
 wherein a first material of the indicator is different from a second material of the remaining portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second element comprises a plurality of surfaces, and
 wherein the indicator is configured to be on one or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second element comprises a plurality of surfaces, and
 wherein one or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces include the indicator.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein only the first material is detectable in targeted radiation associated with the radiological scan. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first element comprises an attachment device configured to attach to the area associated with the surgical cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first element comprises at least one of: 
 a hollow portion,   a protruding portion,   a clip,   a staple,   a hook, or   an adhesive.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises at least one of: 
 an alphanumeric character,   a shape, or   a symbol.   
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 a plurality of devices,
 wherein a first device, of the plurality of devices, comprises a first indicator, 
 wherein a second device, of the plurality of devices, comprises a second indicator, 
 wherein the first device is configured to attach to a first area associated with a surgical cavity, 
 wherein the second device is configured to attach to a second area associated with the surgical cavity, 
 wherein the first indicator is detectable via a radiological scan, 
 wherein a remaining portion of the first device is less detectable via the radiological scan relative to the first indicator, and 
 wherein a first material of the first indicator is different from a second material of the remaining portion. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein one or more surfaces of the first device comprises a first pattern, and
 wherein one or more surfaces of the second device comprises a second pattern.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first device comprises a plurality of surfaces, and
 wherein the indicator is configured to be on one or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first device comprises a plurality of surfaces, and
 wherein one or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces include the indicator.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein only the first material is detectable in targeted radiation associated with the radiological scan. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first device comprises an attachment device configured to attach to the area associated with the surgical cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first indicator is configured to identify a location of the first area. 
     
     
         15 . A device, comprising:
 an indicator that is detectable via a radiological scan,
 wherein the device is configured to attach to an area associated with a surgical cavity, 
 wherein a remaining portion of the device, other than the indicator, is less 
   detectable via the radiological scan relative to the indicator, and
 wherein a first material of the indicator is different from a second material of the remaining portion. 
   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a plurality of surfaces,
 wherein the indicator is configured to be on one or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces. 
   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a plurality of surfaces,
 wherein one or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces include the indicator. 
   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein only the first material is detectable in targeted radiation associated with the radiological scan. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an attachment device configured to attach to the area associated with the surgical cavity.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the indicator is configured to identify a location of the area associated with the surgical cavity.