A method of inhibiting cancer cell metastasis in a subject by providing a biopsy marker device constructed of a polymeric material, the polymeric material containing an anti-inflammatory agent which is releasable over an extended period of time from the polymeric material after the biopsy marker device has been implanted in a tissue of the subject, and implanting the biopsy marker device into a tissue cavity of the subject, wherein the tissue cavity is caused by a biopsy performed on a tumor in the subject, and wherein release of the anti-inflammatory agent from the polymeric material does not begin for at least 18 to 24 hours after implantation and continues for at least 14 to 60 days after implantation. Metastasis of cancer cells from the tissue cavity is inhibited when the tumor is cancerous. The tissue may be, for example, breast, lung, prostate, pancreas, liver, kidney, uterus, ovary, intestine, stomach, or neck tissue.

A tissue marker assembly which can be useful with an implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The tissue marker assembly can include a delivery sleeve with a tissue marker slidably disposed within a lumen therethrough. A proximal handle can be coupled to the tissue marker and delivery sleeve, having a first part and a second part. The second part of the proximal handle can be releasably attached to the tissue marker proximal end so that the second part can be removed to allow the delivery sleeve to be removed proximally over the tissue marker after it is affixed to tissue. The distal portion of the marker can include a plurality of longitudinally extending arms when unconstrained project outward from the shaft to retain the marker's position in tissue.

An implantable tissue marker incorporates a contrast agent sealed within a chamber in a container formed from a solid material. The contrast agent is selected to produce a change, such as an increase, in signal intensity under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional contrast agent may also be sealed within the chamber to provide visibility under another imaging modality, such as computed tomographic (CT) imaging or ultrasound imaging.

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 disposable marker for use in preparation for medical procedures. The marker is made of plastic or such similar material that does not show up on an x-ray monitor. The marker includes one or more metallic elements that have an elongated aspect disposed in proximity to the marker tip. As such, a clinician may introduce the marker into an x-ray field and view it in space by following the metallic element an x-ray monitor.

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.

Methods, devices, and systems can be used to improve accuracy and precision of stereotactic radiosurgery. For example, this document provides methods and materials for using a fiducial marker device for stereotactic radiosurgery of ocular disorders. The fiducial marker device of the invention enables positional tracking of the target tissue during the stereotactic radiosurgery procedure despite occasional movement of the eye being subjected to stereotactic radiosurgery.

A system for tracking the position of one or more medical devices for insertion into the body of a patient is disclosed. The system may also be used to locate one or medical devices at a later time after placement thereof. The present system employs multiple radiating elements that can be simultaneously detected by a sensor unit of the system, wherein at least one of the radiating elements is included with the medical device. Another of the radiating elements may be placed at a predetermined point on the skin of the patient to serve as a landmark to help determine the location of the medical device with respect to the landmark. Detection of the radiating elements by the sensor unit enables the relative positions of the radiating elements to be ascertained and depicted on a display, to assist a clinician in accurately positioning the medical device, such as a catheter.

Disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as localization markers during a surgical procedure. Adaptation includes incorporation of materials detectable under ultrasound during surgery, as well as features for co-registration with image guidance or other real-time imaging technologies during surgery. Such biopsy markers, when used as localization markers, improve patient comfort and reduce challenges in surgical coordination and surgery time. Additional disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as monitoring and/or detection apparatuses. Localization of an implanted marker may be done with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound image data is analyzed to identify the implanted marker. A distance to the marker or a lesion may be determined and displayed. The determined distance may be a distance between the ultrasound probe and the marker or lesion, a distance between the marker or lesion and an incision instrument, and/or a distance between the ultrasound probe and the incision instrument.

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.