U.S. patent application number 13/079849 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for marker delivery device with obturator.
This patent application is currently assigned to SenoRx, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul Lubock, Richard Quick.
Application Number | 20110184449 13/079849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38657959 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110184449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lubock; Paul ; et
al. |
July 28, 2011 |
MARKER DELIVERY DEVICE WITH OBTURATOR
Abstract
A marker delivery device includes an obturator having an
elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end, and a
substantially sealed distal end. The substantially sealed distal
end is formed of a penetrable membrane. A marker delivery tube is
configured to be slidably disposed within the internal lumen of the
obturator. The marker delivery tube has a marker delivery lumen, a
proximal end, and a distal tip. The marker delivery lumen is
configured to contain one or more tissue markers. The distal tip is
configured to puncture the penetrable membrane of the substantially
sealed distal end of the obturator to form a passage through which
the distal tip extends to facilitate delivery of the one or more
tissue markers.
Inventors: |
Lubock; Paul; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) ; Quick; Richard; (Mission Viejo,
CA) |
Assignee: |
SenoRx, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38657959 |
Appl. No.: |
13/079849 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11499466 |
Aug 4, 2006 |
7945307 |
|
|
13079849 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2090/3954 20160201;
A61B 2090/3908 20160201; A61B 17/3498 20130101; A61B 90/39
20160201; A61B 2090/3987 20160201; A61B 17/3468 20130101; A61B
2017/00796 20130101; A61B 90/40 20160201; A61B 2090/062
20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/185 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/34 20060101
A61B017/34 |
Claims
1. A marker delivery device, comprising: an obturator having an
elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end, and a
substantially sealed distal end, the substantially sealed distal
end being formed of a penetrable membrane; and a marker delivery
tube configured to be slidably disposed within the internal lumen
of the obturator, the marker delivery tube having a marker delivery
lumen, a proximal end, and a distal tip, the marker delivery lumen
being configured to contain one or more tissue markers, and the
distal tip being configured to puncture the penetrable membrane of
the substantially sealed distal end of the obturator to form a
passage through which the distal tip extends to facilitate delivery
of the one or more tissue markers.
2. The marker delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substantially
sealed distal end has a rounded external surface.
3. The marker delivery device of claim 1, wherein the distal tip of
the marker delivery tube is needle shaped.
4. The marker delivery device of claim 1, wherein the proximal end
of the obturator has a first hub and the proximal end of the marker
delivery tubular shaft has a second hub which is configured to fit
within the first hub of the obturator when the marker delivery
shaft is inserted into the elongated shaft of the obturator.
5. The marker delivery device of claim 1, which is made of
non-metallic material.
6. The marker delivery device of claim 1, which is made of
non-magnetic material.
7. The marker delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substantially
sealed distal end is a sealed distal end.
8. A marker delivery device, comprising: an obturator having an
elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end, and a rounded
distal end formed of a penetrable membrane; and a marker delivery
tube configured to be slidably disposed within the internal lumen
of the obturator, the marker delivery tube having a marker delivery
lumen, a proximal end, and a distal tip, the marker delivery lumen
being configured to contain one or more tissue markers, and the
distal tip being configured to puncture the penetrable membrane of
the rounded distal end of the obturator to form a passage through
which the distal tip extends for delivery of the one or more tissue
markers.
9. The marker delivery device of claim 8, wherein the distal tip of
the marker delivery tube is needle shaped.
10. The marker delivery device of claim 8, wherein the proximal end
of the obturator has a first hub and the proximal end of the marker
delivery tubular shaft has a second hub which is configured to fit
within the first hub of the obturator when the marker delivery
shaft is inserted into the elongated shaft of the obturator.
11. The marker delivery device of claim 8, which is made of
non-metallic material.
12. The marker delivery device of claim 8, which is made of
non-magnetic material.
13. The marker delivery device of claim 8, wherein the
substantially sealed distal end is a sealed distal end.
14. A method for delivering a tissue marker to a site within a body
of a patient, comprising: providing an obturator having an
elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end and a
substantially sealed distal end, the substantially sealed distal
end being formed of a penetrable membrane; providing a marker
delivery tube containing one or more tissue markers, the marker
delivery tube having a distal tip; slidably disposing the marker
delivery tube within the internal lumen of the obturator; advancing
the marker delivery tube within the internal lumen of the obturator
toward the penetrable membrane of the substantially sealed distal
end of the obturator; and puncturing the penetrable membrane of the
substantially sealed distal end of the obturator with the distal
tip of the marker delivery tube to form a passage through which the
distal tip extends to facilitate delivery of the one or more tissue
markers to the site.
15. The method of claim 14, comprising advancing a plunger through
a marker delivery lumen of the marker delivery tube to advance at
least one tissue marker through the distal tip of the marker
delivery tube to the site.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/499,466, filed Aug. 4, 2006, entitled, "MARKER DELIVERY
SYSTEM WITH OBTURATOR".
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of medical
devices and methods. In particular, the invention relates to
devices and methods for marking a biopsy site.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In modern medical practice small tissue samples, known as
biopsy specimens, are often removed from tumors, lesions, organs,
muscles and other tissues of the body. Such removal of tissue
samples may be accomplished by open surgical technique (i.e.,
removal of a small sample of tissue through a small surgical
incision using a local anesthetic), or through the use of a
specialized biopsy instrument such as a biopsy needle. After the
tissue samples have been removed, they are typically subjected to
diagnostic tests or examinations such as a) gross and microscopic
examination to determine cytology and/or histology, b) biochemical
analyses to determine the presence or absence of chemical
substances which indicate certain disease states, c)
microbiological culturing to determine the presence of bacteria or
other microbes, and/or d) other diagnostic procedures. The
information obtained from these diagnostic tests and/or
examinations can then be used to make or confirm diagnoses and/or
to formulate treatment plans for the patient.
[0004] When performing an image guided biopsy procedure an
obturator is used as a place holder and is placed in tissue such
that its tip will be located at the point in the patient's body
where the biopsy is to be taken or where a biopsy site marker or
tissue marker is to be placed after a biopsy procedure. Subsequent
images are acquired that can confirm the correct placement of the
obturator. When the obturator is placed at the desired location
within the body, blood can enter the lumen of the obturator prior
to delivery of the tissue markers. This backflow of blood into the
obturator creates a risk of blood clotting.
[0005] Current obturators are constructed of homogeneous materials.
During magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided biopsies, the tip of
the obturator is located by indexing through many cross sectional
views (typically every 2 mm, but higher and lower discriminations
are possible). The material of the obturator will be
distinguishable in the cross sectional images to a varying degree
depending on the morphology of the tissue and the obturator's own
material makeup. Since the obturator is homogeneous, the signature
of the obturator will not vary from one cross-sectional image to
the next along its length. The tip of the obturator is located by
selecting the first cross-sectional image in which the obturator is
not seen. This result can be visually ambiguous depending on the
relative strength of the image signature of the obturator compared
to the surrounding tissue.
[0006] After the biopsy sample is taken, it may take several days
or weeks before the results of the examination of the sample are
obtained, and still longer before an appropriate treatment decision
is reached. If the decision involves surgery it is clearly
important for the surgeon to find the location in the breast from
where the tumor tissue has been taken in the biopsy procedure, so
that the entire tumor and possibly surrounding healthy tissue can
be removed.
[0007] However, radiographically imageable tissue features,
originally detected in a mammogram, may be removed, altered or
obscured by the biopsy procedure. In order for the surgeon or
radiation oncologist to direct surgical or radiation treatment to
the precise location of the breast lesion several days or weeks
after the biopsy procedure was performed, it is desirable that one
or more biopsy site markers be placed in or on the patient's body
to serve as a landmark for subsequent location of the lesion. The
purpose of such markers is to facilitate the surgical procedure
that is performed while the marker is detectable.
[0008] The present invention provides a marker delivery device and
method for placing an obturator at the desired site in a patient's
body as a placeholder and for delivering such markers into the
biopsy cavity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention relates to devices and methods for placement
of an intracorporeal object that functions as a marker, a
therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent and particularly for
placing an obturator at a desired location within a patient's body
and for delivering one or more intracorporeal objects through the
obturator to that location. The obturator may operate as a
place-holder during an image guided procedure such as a biopsy. The
distal end of the obturator is placed where the procedure is to be
performed or one or more intracorporeal objects or bodies are to be
delivered.
[0010] In one embodiment having features of the present invention
the device includes an obturator which has an elongated shaft with
a internal lumen, a proximal end, and a substantially sealed distal
end which prevents or minimizes the backflow of body fluids, such
as blood, though the lumen of the obturator. The substantially
sealed distal end can be a penetrable membrane or may have petals
or a duckbill-type valve which are configured to allow passage of
one or more intracorporeal objects or a delivery tube with one or
more intracorporeal objects therethrough while preventing or
minimizing entry of body fluids into the inner lumen of the
obturator. Preferably the obturator is configured to fit within a
procedure cannula, e.g. a cannula of a biopsy device, for example,
the cannula of SenoRx's EnCor.TM. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Breast
Biopsy System. The cannula provides access to the desired location
within the patient's body.
[0011] The delivery tube has a delivery lumen configured to contain
one or more intracorporeal objects. The distal tip is configured to
penetrate the substantially sealed distal end of the obturator so
that the intracorporeal bodies can be delivered while the obturator
is in place within the body. The shape of the distal tip may be
sharp or needle like when the sealed distal end of the obturator
has a membrane or it may be blunt or rounded when the distal end of
the obturator is petalled or has a one-way valve.
[0012] The device preferably further includes a plunger having an
elongated shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The
plunger is configured to be slidably disposed within the lumen of
the delivery tube and is located proximal to the one or more
intracorporeal objects within the lumen thereof. When the plunger
is extended distally within the lumen, the distal end thereof moves
one or more intracorporeal objects toward and eventually through
the distal end of the delivery tube. The plunger preferably has an
enlarged proximal end to prevent the distal portion of the plunger
from advancing too far within the delivery lumen. Alternatively, a
fluid may be used to advance the intracorporeal objects through the
opening.
[0013] A method for delivering one or more intracorporeal objects
to a site within a patient's body includes providing the above
described device. The obturator is placed at a desired location
within a patient's body. The delivery tube is advanced distally
within the obturator until the distal tip passes through the
substantially sealed distal end of the obturator. Next the plunger
is advanced distally within the delivery tube so that at least one
intracorporeal object is pushed though the opening of the distal
tip.
[0014] In one embodiment of the device the distal portion of the
obturator includes a detectable element capable of producing a
significant image signature at the location in the patient's body
where the distal portion of the obturator is placed. Preferably
this embodiment includes an obturator having an elongated shaft, a
proximal end, a substantially sealed distal end, and a detectable
element, preferably in the form of a ring at or near the distal
end. A detectable element capable of producing a significant image
signature is located adjacent to the substantially sealed distal
end, preferably in the form of ring at the junction between the
distal tip and the elongated shaft.
[0015] The invention, in one form thereof, is directed to a marker
delivery device. The marker delivery device includes an obturator
having an elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end, and a
substantially sealed distal end. The substantially sealed distal
end is formed of a penetrable membrane. A marker delivery tube is
configured to be slidably disposed within the internal lumen of the
obturator. The marker delivery tube has a marker delivery lumen, a
proximal end, and a distal tip. The marker delivery lumen is
configured to contain one or more tissue markers. The distal tip is
configured to puncture the penetrable membrane of the substantially
sealed distal end of the obturator to form a passage through which
the distal tip extends to facilitate delivery of the one or more
tissue markers.
[0016] The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to a
marker delivery device. The marker delivery device includes an
obturator having an elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal
end, and a rounded distal end formed of a penetrable membrane. A
marker delivery tube is configured to be slidably disposed within
the internal lumen of the obturator. The marker delivery tube has a
marker delivery lumen, a proximal end, and a distal tip. The marker
delivery lumen is configured to contain one or more tissue markers.
The distal tip is configured to puncture the penetrable membrane of
the rounded distal end of the obturator to form a passage through
which the distal tip extends for delivery of the one or more tissue
markers.
[0017] The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to a
method for delivering a tissue marker to a site within a body of a
patient. The method includes providing an obturator having an
elongated shaft, an internal lumen, a proximal end and a
substantially sealed distal end, the substantially sealed distal
end being formed of a penetrable membrane; providing a marker
delivery tube containing one or more tissue markers, the marker
delivery tube having a distal tip; slidably disposing the marker
delivery tube within the internal lumen of the obturator; advancing
the marker delivery tube within the internal lumen of the obturator
toward the penetrable membrane of the substantially sealed distal
end of the obturator; and puncturing the penetrable membrane of the
substantially sealed distal end of the obturator with the distal
tip of the marker delivery tube to form a passage through which the
distal tip extends to facilitate delivery of the one or more tissue
markers to the site.
[0018] The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention
offer improved delivery by minimizing the backflow of body fluids,
such as blood, though the obturator lumen and thereby decreasing a
risk of clot formation in the obturator. These and other advantages
of the invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1A is an elevational view of an assembly having
features of the invention including a marker delivery shaft and an
obturator.
[0020] FIG. 1B is a transverse cross sectional view of the
obturator of FIG. 1A taken along line 1B-1B.
[0021] FIG. 1C is a transverse cross sectional view of the marker
delivery shaft of FIG. 1A taken along lines 1C-1C.
[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B are elevational views of a delivery device
embodying features of the invention wherein the distal tip of the
marker delivery shaft is proximal to the substantially sealed
distal end. FIG. 2B is rotated 90.degree. with respect to FIG.
2A.
[0023] FIG. 2C is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along
lines 2C-2C in FIG. 2A.
[0024] FIG. 2D is a transverse cross sectional view taken along
lines 2D-2D in FIG. 2A.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a substantially sealed
distal end of an obturator having one or more petals.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a substantially sealed
distal end of an obturator having a duck billed valve.
[0027] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a distal tip of a marker
delivery tubular shaft having a needle-like shape.
[0028] FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a distal tip of a marker
delivery tubular shaft having a blunt end.
[0029] FIGS. 7A and 7B are elevational views of a distal portion of
an obturator embodying features of the invention wherein the distal
tip of the marker delivery shaft has partially punctured the
substantially sealed distal end of the obturator and the plunger is
not yet deployed. FIG. 7B is rotated 90.degree. with respect to
FIG. 7A.
[0030] FIG. 7C is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along
line 7C-7C in FIG. 7A.
[0031] FIGS. 8A and 8B are elevational views of a distal portion of
an obturator embodying features of the invention wherein the distal
tip of the marker delivery shaft has completely punctured the
substantially sealed distal end of the obturator and the plunger is
not yet deployed. FIG. 8B is rotated 90.degree. with respect to
FIG. 8A.
[0032] FIG. 8C is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along
lines 8C-8C in FIG. 8A.
[0033] FIGS. 9A and 9B are elevational views of a distal portion of
an obturator embodying features of the invention wherein the distal
tip of the marker delivery shaft has completely punctured the
substantially sealed distal end of the obturator and the plunger is
deployed. FIG. 9B is rotated 90.degree. with respect to FIG.
9A.
[0034] FIG. 9C is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along
line 9C-9C in FIG. 9A.
[0035] FIG. 10A is an elevational view of an obturator embodying
features of the invention including a detectable element.
[0036] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the obturator shown in
FIG. 10A taken along line 10B-10B.
[0037] FIG. 10C is an enlarged view of Section 10C in FIG. 10A.
[0038] FIG. 10D is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the
distal end of the obturator taken along line 10D-10D in FIG.
10C.
[0039] FIG. 10E is an enlarged view of section 10E shown in FIG.
10D.
[0040] FIG. 10F is a perspective view of the obturator wherein the
distal end of the obturator, the detectable element, and the
proximal portion of the obturator are shown separated.
[0041] FIG. 10G is an enlarged view of Section 10G shown in FIG.
10F.
[0042] FIG. 11A is an elevational view of an obturator embodying
features of the invention including a plurality of detectable
elements or bodies within the obturator.
[0043] FIG. 11B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
obturator shown in FIG. 11A taken along line 11B-11B.
[0044] FIG. 11C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
obturator as in FIG. 11B with the plunger distally advanced to
discharge the detectable elements or bodies within the
obturator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] FIGS. 1A-2D shows an embodiment of a marker delivery device
10 having features of the invention including an obturator 12 and a
marker delivery tubular shaft 14. The obturator 12 has an elongated
shaft 16, an internal lumen 18, a proximal end 20 and a
substantially sealed distal end 22. Preferably, as shown in FIGS.
2A-2D, the obturator 12 is configured to fit within a cannula 24 of
a biopsy device, such as SenoRx's EnCor.TM. Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) Breast Biopsy System. The cannula 24 provides access
to the desired location within a patient's body. In some
embodiments the cannula 24 includes depth markings 26 which
indicate the distance which the obturator 12 has advanced within
the patient's body.
[0046] The substantially sealed distal end 22 of the obturator 12
is configured to prevent or minimize the backflow of fluids, such
as body fluids, through the internal lumen 18 of the obturator 12.
Preferably the substantially sealed distal end 22 is formed of a
penetrable membrane 28. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2B and 2C, the
substantially sealed distal end 22 of the obturator 12 has a
rounded external surface and is formed of the penetrable membrane
28.
[0047] Alternatively the substantially sealed distal end 22 is
formed of two or more petals 30 (FIG. 3) or can be formed of a
duck-billed valve 32 (FIG. 4).
[0048] The marker delivery tubular shaft 14 is configured to be
slidably disposed within the internal lumen 18 of the obturator 12.
The tubular shaft 16 has a marker delivery lumen 34 configured to
contain one or more tissue markers 36 for marking a biopsy site, a
proximal end 38, and a distal tip 40 with an opening 42 for passage
of one or more of the markers 36. The tissue markers 36 may be
those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,996,433, U.S. Pat. No.
6,993,375, U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,470, U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,083, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,662,041, U.S. Pat. No. 6,567,689, U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,427,081, 6,347,241, U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,034, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/444,770, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/444,428, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/001,043, which
are hereby incorporated by reference. The marker delivery tubular
shaft 14 preferably also includes depth markings 44 which indicate
the distance which the tubular shaft 14 has advanced within the
obturator 12.
[0049] The distal tip 40 of the marker delivery shaft 14 is
configured to penetrate the substantially sealed distal end 22 of
the obturator 12 so that tissue markers 36 can be delivered while
the obturator 12 is in place within the patient's body. Preferably
the distal tip 40 is needle shaped 46 (FIG. 5), however, the distal
tip can alternatively be a blunt tip 48 (FIG. 6) which is capable
of penetrating a substantially sealed distal end 22 that is formed
of a penetrable membrane 28 which is weakened or a distal end 22
with petals 30 or a valve 32.
[0050] Preferably the marker delivery device 10 also includes a
plunger 50 having an elongated shaft 52 with a distal end 54 and a
proximal end 56. The plunger 50 is configured to be slidably
disposed within the marker delivery lumen 34 and is located
proximal to the one or more tissue markers 36 within the marker
delivery lumen 34. When the plunger 50 is extended distally within
the marker delivery lumen 34 it moves one or more tissue markers
toward and eventually through the opening 42 in the distal tip 40
of the marker delivery shaft 14. The plunger 50 preferably has an
enlarged proximal end 58 to prevent its entry into the lumen 34.
Alternatively, a fluid (not shown) may be used to advance the
markers 36 through the opening 42 in the distal tip 40 of the
marker delivery tubular shaft 14.
[0051] FIGS. 7A-7C show the distal tip 40 of the marker delivery
tube 14 partially penetrating the substantially sealed distal end
22 of the obturator 12. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C,
the distal tip 40 of the marker delivery tube 14 has partially
punctured the penetrable membrane 28 of the substantially sealed
distal end 22 of the obturator 12, and the plunger 50 is not yet
deployed. The tissue markers 36 in FIG. 7A-7C are contained within
the marker delivery lumen 34.
[0052] FIGS. 8A-8C show the distal tip 40 completely penetrating
the substantially sealed distal end 22 of the obturator 12 and the
tissue markers 36 within the marker delivery lumen 34. In other
words, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the distal tip 40 of the marker
delivery tube 14 has completely punctured the penetrable membrane
28 of the substantially sealed distal end 22 of the obturator 12,
and the plunger 50 is not yet deployed.
[0053] FIGS. 9A-9C show the distal tip 40 of the marker delivery
tubular shaft 14 completely penetrating the substantially sealed
distal end 22. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, the distal
tip 40 of the marker delivery tube 14 has completely punctured the
penetrable membrane 28 of the substantially sealed distal end 22 of
the obturator 12. In FIGS. 9A-9C the plunger 50 is deployed
distally within the marker delivery lumen 34.
[0054] Preferably the obturator 12 has a hub 60 at the proximal end
20 of the obturator shaft 16. The hub 60 may have gripping ridges
62 which allow a person operating the device 10 to maintain a grip
on the device 10. The marker delivery tubular shaft 14 preferably
also has a hub 64 at the proximal end of the marker delivery shaft
38 with gripping ridges 66. At least a portion of the hub 64 of the
marker delivery tubular shaft 14 is configured to fit within the
hub 64 of the obturator 12 when the marker delivery shaft 14 is
inserted into the obturator 12.
[0055] The marker delivery device 10 is preferably formed of a
non-magnetic material. A plastic such as MAKROLON.RTM., a
polycarbonate from Bayer Material Sciences a division of Bayer AG,
is suitable and will not interfere with a magnetic resonance
imaging device (MRI). The device may also include a radiopaque
material which allows for detection of the device. Alternatively
the location of the obturator 12 may be determined by detecting air
within the elongated shaft 16 of the obturator 12 with a magnetic
resonance imaging device (not shown).
[0056] A method for delivering a tissue marker to a site within a
patient's body includes providing the above described device. The
obturator 12 of the device 10 is inserted into a desired location
within a patient's body. Preferably the obturator 12 is placed
within the cannula 24 of a biopsy device that remains in the
patient's body after the biopsy device is removed. The marker
delivery tubular shaft 14 is then inserted into the obturator 12
and the distal tip 40 of the tubular shaft 14 is advanced through
the substantially sealed distal end 22 of the obturator 12. At
least one tissue marker 36 within the marker delivery tubular shaft
14 is then advanced distally through the opening 42 in the distal
tip 40 of the marker delivery tubular shaft 14. Preferably a
plunger 50 is advanced distally within the tubular shaft 14 so that
at least one tissue marker 36 is moved through the opening 42 in
the distal tip 40. Alternatively a fluid (not shown) can be used in
place of the plunger to move the tissue markers 36 through the
distal tip 40.
[0057] An embodiment of the device having features of the
invention, which is shown in FIGS. 10A-10G, includes an obturator
68 having an elongated shaft 70 including a cylindrical wall with
an internal lumen 72, a proximal end 74, a substantially sealed
distal end 76, and a detectable element 78 capable of producing a
relatively significant image signature. Preferably the detectable
element 78 is incorporated into the obturator 68 at a location
determined to be optimum for complimenting the subsequent
procedure.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 10G, the detectable element 78 preferably
is in the form of a ring 80 located near the substantially sealed
distal end 76 of the obturator 68. Preferably the substantially
sealed distal end 76 of the obturator 68 is located on an obturator
tip 82. As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10C, 10F and 10G, the detectable
element 78/80 is in contact with the mating surfaces of a terminal
distal end of the cylindrical wall of the elongated shaft 70 and
the obturator tip 82. The cylindrical wall of the elongated shaft
70 also includes at least one aperture 84 and the obturator tip 82
of the obturator 68 preferably includes a raised tab 86 which
extends into the aperture 84 to hold the obturator tip 82 in place.
The detectable element 78 in ring form 80 may be placed at the
point where the obturator tip 82 and the elongated shaft 70 of the
obturator 68 meet, i.e., at the junction between the obturator tip
82 and the terminal distal end of the cylindrical wall of the
elongated shaft 70 of the obturator 68.
[0059] Preferably the detectable element 78 is in a form which
allows the internal lumen of the obturator 72 to remain
unobstructed, such as a ring 80. The detectable element 78 can also
be a small sphere or rod, one or more wires, or a collar. Also any
plan-form shape constructed of sheet material, either planar or
formed into a non-planar shape. Alternatively, the detectable
element 78 may be the entire tip 82 of the obturator 68.
Alternatively more than one detectable element 78 could be
incorporated into the obturator 68 to be used as a marker capable
of determining the depth of the obturator 68 within a patient's
body (not shown).
[0060] FIGS. 11A-C illustrate an alternative embodiment of an
object delivery device 90 having features of the invention
including an obturator 92 which has an elongated shaft 94, an
internal lumen 96, a proximal end 98 and a substantially sealed
distal end 100. Preferably, as previously discussed with the other
embodiments, the obturator 92 is configured to fit within a cannula
of a biopsy device, such as SenoRx's EnCor.TM. Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) Breast Biopsy System. The substantially sealed distal
end 100 of the obturator 92 is configured to prevent or minimize
the backflow of fluids, such as body fluids, through the inner
lumen 96. A plurality of intracorporeal objects 102, e.g. biopsy
site markers, is disposed within the inner lumen 96. A plunger 104
with an enlarged head 106 is slidably disposed in part within the
inner lumen 96 proximal to the plurality of intracorporeal objects
102. Distal movement of the plunger 104 pushes the objects 102
through the distal end into a body site. In this embodiment, the
intracorporeal objects may not be able to penetrate a membrane, so
the substantially sealed distal end 100 may be formed of two or
more petals such as shown in FIG. 3 or can be formed of a
duck-billed valve such as shown in FIG. 4.
[0061] Suitable materials for use as the detectable element 78 are
metal, ceramic, metal filled plastic, mineral filled plastic, or a
radiopaque material. Radiopaque materials such as stainless steel,
platinum, gold, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, silver, rhodium,
nickel, bismuth or other radiopaque metals, mixtures of radiopaque
metals, oxides of radiopaque metals, barium salts, iodine salts,
iodinated materials, and combinations thereof are suitable as well.
Additionally, MRI contrast agents such as Gadolinium and vitamin E
may also be employed.
[0062] If desired, an imageable stylet may be used within the inner
lumen of the sealed obturator to show the axis of the instrument
and the depth of the insertion within the body. Preferably the
stylet is formed of material which is compatible with MRI and which
is seen in MRI generated images. Suitable materials include
non-magnetic metals, non-magnetic metal filled plastics, hollow
tubes filled at least in part with an MRI visible substance such as
Gadolinium or other fluids.
[0063] While particular forms of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein directed to detectable markers, it
will be apparent that various modifications and improvements can be
made to the invention. For example, the deployed bodies may be
therapeutic or diagnostic agents in addition to or in lieu of being
markers. Moreover, individual features may be shown or otherwise
described in one embodiment and not in others, but those skilled in
the art will recognize that individual features of one embodiment
of the invention can be combined with any or all the features of
another embodiment. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated.
[0064] Terms such as "element", "member", "component", "device",
"means", "portion", "section", "steps", and words of similar import
when used herein shall not be construed as invoking the provisions
of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112(6) unless the following claims expressly use
the term "means" followed by a particular function without
reference to a specific structure or the term "step" followed by a
particular function without reference to a specific action. All
patents and all patent applications referred to above are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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