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  Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methodsUSPTO Application #: 20070299339Title: Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods Abstract: A method for mapping a lymphatic system following a cavity generating procedure, may include a step of 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. The provided post-biopsy cavity treatment implant may then be implanted into the cavity and the cavity closed. The dye/pigment may then be caused to be released from the implant and to propagate through the lymphatic system. The propagated dye/pigment may then be visualized in the lymphatic system using a selected visualization mode. (end of abstract) Agent: Young Law Firm, P.C. Alan W. Young - Portola Valley, CA, US Inventors: Ary S. Chernomorsky, James W. Vetter, Simon Chernomorsky USPTO Applicaton #: 20070299339 - Class: 600431000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Diagnostic Testing, Detecting Nuclear, Electromagnetic, Or Ultrasonic Radiation, Detectable Material Placed In Body The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070299339. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/627,960, filed Jul. 25, 2003, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to post-biopsy cavity treatment methods and implants. More particularly, the present inventions relates to post-biopsy cavity treatment implants inserted into cavities formed in soft tissue that may be created during a biopsy or therapeutic excisional procedure. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Breast biopsies are routinely performed in the United States following a detection of abnormalities discovered through mammographic visualization, manual palpation or ultrasound examination. There are a number of traditional methods to obtain breast biopsy tissue samples, including surgical excisional biopsies and stereotactic and ultrasound guided needle breast biopsies. Recently, methodologies have emerged that are based upon percutaneous minimally invasive large intact tissue sample collection. The use of these devices results in a unique cavity connected to the skin by a narrow neck. However, it is becoming apparent, therefore, that the post-biopsy biopsy cavities left by these procedures may both offer and require different post procedural treatments, as compared to the cavities left by needle, core biopsy procedures or open surgical procedures, due to the different nature, size and shape of the cavity created by conventional biopsy devices, as well as the narrow connection to the skin characterized by percutaneous approaches. [0006] In certain cases, locating a previously biopsied area is highly desirable. Therefore, to mark the biopsy site, a variety of biopsy site markers and identifiers have been developed, ranging from metal clips to pellets and sponges placed during or right after the biopsy procedure. Usually, these markers contain radiopaque and/or echogenic articles and include features such as metal clips and air or gas bubbles incorporated in a biodegradable matrix. From the foregoing, it is apparent that improved methods and devices are needed to treat the cavities left by biopsy devices that are configured to retrieve large intact specimens. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention, according to an embodiment thereof, is a method for mapping a lymphatic system following a cavity generating procedure. The method may include a step of 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 may include a dye or a pigment therein. The provided post-biopsy cavity treatment implant may then be implanted into the cavity and the cavity with the post-biopsy cavity treatment implant implanted therein may then be closed. The method may then include a step of causing the dye/pigment to be released from the implant and to propagate through the lymphatic system. The propagated dye/pigment may then be visualized in the lymphatic system using a selected visualization mode. [0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the provided implant may include a reservoir disposed within the collagenous matrix, the reservoir containing a volume of the dye/pigment and the causing step may include a step of rupturing the reservoir--or otherwise causing the reservoir to leak to release the dye/pigment by, for example, squeezing the implanted post-biopsy cavity treatment implant. 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. The dye(s) and/or pigment(s) may be loaded within the collagenous matrix of the implant. For example, the visualizing mode may include ultrasound, x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, elastography, microwave and/or the unaided eye, for example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which: [0010] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary large intact specimen percutaneous biopsy device in operation. [0011] FIG. 2 shows further aspects of the exemplary large intact specimen percutaneous biopsy device of FIG. 1 in operation. [0012] FIG. 3 shows further aspects of the exemplary large intact specimen percutaneous biopsy device of FIG. 1 in operation. [0013] FIG. 4 shows still further aspects of the exemplary large intact specimen percutaneous biopsy device of FIG. 1 in operation. [0014] FIG. 5 shows further aspects of the exemplary large intact specimen percutaneous biopsy device of FIG. 1 in operation. [0015] FIG. 6A shows further aspects of the exemplary large intact specimen percutaneous biopsy device of FIG. 1 in operation, and illustrates the creation of a cavity within the soft tissue from which the excised specimen was taken. [0016] FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of the post treatment cavity of FIG. 6A, taken along cross-sectional line II'. [0017] FIG. 7 shows further aspects of the exemplary large intact specimen percutaneous biopsy device of FIG. 1 in operation, and further illustrates the creation of a cavity within the soft tissue from which the specimen was taken, with the aforementioned narrow neck or access path connecting the cavity to the skin. [0018] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary delivery device for a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 9 shows the delivery device of FIG. 8 in operation, delivering a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant according to an embodiment of the present invention within the cavity of FIG. 7. [0020] FIG. 10A shows the cavity of FIG. 7, after the implantation of the post-biopsy cavity treatment implant shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, with the percutaneous incision closed. Continue reading... Full patent description for Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for dynamic space-time imaging system Next Patent Application: System and method for screening tissue Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods patent info. 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