Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Described herein are an apparatus and method by which at least one core specimen is obtained from a patient. The specimen is optionally placed on a tray, in a holder, or in another device designed to hold the tissue specimen; images of the specimens are acquired with optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography image data and, optionally, data from an additional imaging or analysis method, and when analyzed with the tissue classification process yield information on one or more of: the adequacy of the specimens obtained; the likelihood that they contain abnormal or malignant tissue; the regions and/or specimens most likely to contain diagnostic tissue; the approximate dimensions, area, or volume of the abnormal tissue; and the probable type of abnormality.

Systems and method of facilitating hemostasis in a tract in a patient are disclosed. The method can include, in some cases, delivering an elongate member into the tract, the elongate member comprising a lumen; injecting a suspension through the elongate member, the suspension comprising pledgets comprising surface irregularities; a hemostatic agent; and particles comprising an average diameter less than an average diameter of the pledgets. The pledgets, hemostatic agent, and particles pack the tract and promote hemostasis.

The method is for aiding an operator to determine a position of a region of interest in a breast so as to subsequently guide a biopsy procedure; the method is adapted to be implemented in a mammography apparatus; the method provides performing a 2D imaging procedure of the dual energy mammography type and generating a composite 2D image, and performing a 3D imaging procedure of the tomosynthesis type, firstly generating a 3D image and then a virtual 2D image; based, for example, on the composite 2D image and the virtual 2D image, a two-dimensional mapping and transformation are determined which allow the same marking elements to be accurately displayed on different images, in particular on a 2D section of the 3D image and on a recorded 2D image derived from the composite 2D image.

An endoluminal biopsy tool suitable for use in mammary ductoscopy. The tool includes an outer tube and an instrument in the outer tube such that the outer tube and the instrument are movable with respect to each other for taking the biopsy. The outer tube includes a tongue extending from a distal portion of the outer tube. The instrument includes an inner tube movably fitting inside the outer tube. The inner tube includes a wall that is provided with a cut out which is closable with the tongue.

A method of performing a procedure on a breast of a patient includes compressing the breast of the patient with a paddle of an imaging system and performing an initial imaging procedure on the breast of the patient. The initial imaging procedure includes imaging the breast with an x-ray source at a first energy to obtain a first image and a second energy to obtain a second image. A composite image is generated from the first image and the second image and displayed. A region of interest on the composite image is targeted and a biopsy is performed.

A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.

A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

A medical imaging system including a microwave antenna array having a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennae, wherein the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals so as to illuminate a body part of a patient and the receiving antennae are configured to receive the microwave signals following scattering within the body part; a processor configured to process the scattered microwave signals and generate an output indicative of the internal structure of the body part to identify a region of interest within the body part; and a biopsy device comprising a biopsy needle movable relative to the microwave antenna array; wherein the receiving antennae are further configured to receive microwave signals scattered or emitted by the biopsy needle and the processor is further configured to monitor a position of the biopsy needle and to guide the biopsy needle to the identified region of interest within the body part.

A thermographic sensing device for measuring temperatures at one or more regions of the human body, particularly the breast, utilizes a thermographic composition deposited into linear arrays of recesses formed in the lobes of a conformable medium which is disposable against the skin. The thermographic composition includes a binary solvent system and at least one colorant, wherein the compositions in each array are formulated to melt at precise temperatures, within a diagnostically temperature relevant range, to change from a first visible color to a second visible color.