A biopsy system comprises an introducer and a biopsy device. The introducer comprises a cannula and at least two leaves. The cannula comprises an ovular cross-section, an open distal end and an open proximal end. The ovular cross-section defines a lumen extending between the open distal end and the open proximal end. The ovular cross-section of the cannula includes at least two flat sides. The at least two leaves extend distally from the open distal end. At least a portion of each of the at least two leaves extend from a respective flat side of the at least two flat sides of the cannula. The biopsy device comprises a body and an elongate needle. The elongate needle extends distally from the body. The elongate needle includes an ovular cross-section defining two straight sides. The cannula of the introducer is configured to slidably receive the elongate needle of the biopsy device.

Featured is an inventive anchor/implant deployment device for use in repairing damage to tissue (e.g., meniscus) as well as tissue repair methods related thereto. Such an anchor/implant deployment device is advantageously configured and arranged so the deployment device is capable of making at least an in situ adjustment to the path of a needle portion having the anchor(s)/implant(s); is capable of rotating such a needle portion or the portion extending into the tissue/meniscus so that the distal end entering into the tissue/meniscus is desirably oriented such as to, for example, minimize damage to tissue; and making the needle portion of the deployment device replaceable so as to allow the deployment device to be reloaded thereby making other portions of the deployment device reusable during a given, procedure.

A radiopaque marker bead can be attached to an endoprosthesis by pressing an end of bead into a through hole formed into the endoprosthesis and allowing the opposite end of the bead to pass through the hole and protrude out of the other end of the hole. Both ends of the bead can then be pressed and flattened so as to frictionally engage both ends of the hole. A support tool having a curved outer surface can be inserted into the endoprosthesis to support the endoprosthesis luminal surface while the bead is being pushed into the hole. The support tool has a depression which allows the opposite end of the bead to protrude out of the hole.

Markers, probes, and related systems and methods are provided for localizing locations within a patient's body, e.g., a lesion within a breast. The marker includes an energy converter e.g., one or more photodiodes, for transforming light energy striking the marker into electrical energy, a storage device coupled to the energy converter for storing the electrical energy, a threshold element that closes a switch when the electrical energy reaches a predetermined threshold to discharge the electrical energy and cause the antenna to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal. The system includes a probe that transmits light into the patient's body and a processor that correlate the frequency of the RF signals to a distance from the probe to the marker.

A device for inserting a marker into tissue at a biopsy site including an elongate shaft that moves conjointly with a plunger, and a spring secured to the distal end of the shaft. The device may comprise a cannula configured to receive a distal end of the shaft, and with a crimp, dimples, or other features formed near the shaft's distal end. The cannula may comprise a lateral aperture where a marker may be ejected from the lumen thereof. A ramp portion may be formed in communication with the lateral aperture, and the ramp portion may comprise a preselected slope that controls the angle at which the marker is ejected.

A spinal marking system includes a marker having a threaded member and a flexible member connected to the threaded member. The flexible member has a length longer than that of the threaded member. The system also includes a navigation tool having a shaft configured to connect to the threaded member. The navigation tool also includes a navigation array connected to the shaft. The navigation array having a plurality of fiducials that are configured to communicate with a robotic system.

The present disclosure relates to embodiments of a patient-specific or patient-matched, customized apparatus for assisting in various surgical procedures. In varying embodiments, patient-specific guides may comprise multiple patient-specific surfaces for mating with the underlying patient anatomy and may further comprise one or more protrusions or projections for facilitating placement and attachment, at least temporarily, to the desired location of the patient's anatomy. The apparatus described herein are preferably used with cervical and/or certain thoracic levels of the human spine and may comprise single or multi-level guides for placement of instruments and/or implants during a variety of surgical procedures.

A device for providing a fiducial marker(s) within or near a target tissue (e.g. nodule, tumor or other) within a patient. The present teachings provide a device with a handle device, a catheter with a distal end and a proximal end coupled to the handle device, a needle slidably received within the catheter, and a stylet slidably received within the needle. The stylet includes a fiducial marker at a distal end of the stylet. The fiducial marker transitions from a first shape state to a second shape state upon expulsion from the distal end of the needle. The distal end of the stylet is mechanically disconnected from the proximal end of the fiducial marker during a fiducial marker delivery state.

A marker deployment tool may comprise a marker cannula having a lateral deployment aperture, a push rod slidably disposed within the marker cannula and a scalloped tip coupled to the distal end of the marker cannula. The scalloped tip may have a push rod recess configured to receive a portion of the distal end of the push rod such that the push rod does not appreciably extend out of the lateral deployment aperture when the push rod is actuated distally. The marker deployment tool may further comprise a magnet at or near the distal end. This magnet may be used in combination with a magnet or plurality of magnets disposed about an access chamber in a tissue sample holder to assist the user in aligning the marker deployment tool. The access chamber in the tissue sample holder may also include a valve, two valves, or a removable plug.

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for resecting a tissue mass. The system for resecting a tissue mass includes a surgical instrument and a first sensor for measuring a signal corresponding to the position and orientation of the tissue mass. The first sensor is dimensioned to fit inside or next to the tissue mass. The system also includes a second sensor attached to the surgical instrument configured to measure the position and orientation of the surgical instrument. The second sensor is configured to receive the signal from the first sensor. A controller is in communication with the first sensor and/or the second sensor, and the controller executes a stored program to calculate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. Accordingly, visual, auditory, haptic or other feedback is provided to the clinician to guide the surgical instrument to the surgical margin.