Abstract: A post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a radiopaque element, a core portion and a shell portion. The core portion is coupled to the radiopaque element, and includes a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture. The shell portion is coupled to the core portion and includes a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.

Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.

Abstract: A post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a radiopaque element, a core portion and a shell portion. The core portion is coupled to the radiopaque element, and includes a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture. The shell portion is coupled to the core portion and includes a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture.

Abstract: A method of marking an orientation of a cut specimen of tissue prior to excision thereof from a body includes steps of disposing a tissue-marking probe in the body adjacent the cut specimen, the tissue-marking probe including a tissue-marking tool configured to selectively mark the cut specimen. A surface of the cut specimen is then marked with the tissue-marking tool such that the orientation of the cut specimen within the body is discernable after the cut specimen is excised from the body. The tissue-marking tool may be configured to selectively bow out of and back into a window defined near a distal tip of the probe and the marking step may include a step of selectively bowing the tissue-marking tool out of the window and following the surface of the cut specimen while rotating the probe. The tissue-marking tool may include an RF cutting tool and the marking step may include a step of coagulating or cauterizing a selected portion of the surface of the cut specimen with the RF cutting tool.

Abstract: A method of forming a soft tissue biopsy cavity marker may include steps of providing a radio-opaque element and a bio-compatible and bio-degradable polymer such as alginate and delivering the provided radio-opaque element and the provided polymer to a biopsy site, such as a breast biopsy site. A gelling initiator that includes divalent cations such as NaCl2 may then be provided and delivered to the biopsy site, causing the previously delivered polymer to gel and to form a soft tissue biopsy marker in situ (within the biopsy site).

Abstract: A post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a radiopaque element, a core portion and a shell portion. The core portion is coupled to the radiopaque element, and includes a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture. The shell portion is coupled to the core portion and includes a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture.

Abstract: A method of treating a cavity created by a percutaneous excisional procedure carried out through an incision includes steps of providing a post-procedure cavity implant, the post-procedure cavity implant including: a radiopaque element; a core portion coupled to the radiopaque element, the core portion including a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture, and a shell portion coupled to the core portion, the shell portion including a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture; implanting the post-procedure cavity implant into the cavity, and closing the incision.

Abstract: A guide element is used to guide a cutting device when removing breast tissue. The cutting device may have a tissue collection element for collecting tissue. The tissue collection element may be detachable so that the collection element may be removed independent from the cutting device.

Abstract: A needle is used to mark a tissue area of interest. The needle may have one or more indicators which indicate selected angular orientations relative to the needle. The indicators may also be coupled to anchors which are deployed in the tissue to anchor the needle in the tissue. The needle may be positioned to guide an excisional device to remove tissue.

Abstract: A device for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue may include a shaft, an integrated cut and collect assembly coupled to the shaft and an actuator. The shaft may define an opening and may include an outer surface that defines a trough adjacent the opening, the trough defining a ledge portion that is cut out of the shaft. The integrated cut and collect assembly may include an RF cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane, the collection portion being attached to the cutting portion, the integrated cut and collect assembly being configured to assume a retracted position at least partially within the opening such that part of the collection portion is disposed within the trough and in contact with the ledge portion and a selectable expanded position that extends through the opening and away from the shaft.

Abstract: A method of treating a cavity created by a percutaneous excisional procedure carried out through an incision includes steps of providing a post-procedure cavity implant, the post-procedure cavity implant including: a radiopaque element; a core portion coupled to the radiopaque element, the core portion including a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture, and a shell portion coupled to the core portion, the shell portion including a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture; implanting the post-procedure cavity implant into the cavity, and closing the incision.

Abstract: A suction sleeve is configured to couple to the shaft of an RF device to evacuate hot gasses, fluids and/or other aspirates. The suction sleeve may be configured to be disposed coaxially around the shaft between the first end of the shaft and the work element (e.g., an RF cutting element) thereof. The suction sleeve defines a suction port and a plurality of openings near the work element, and is configured to enable suction in through the plurality of openings and out through the suction port.

Abstract: A device for collecting a tissue specimen from a patient includes a shaft having an outer surface that defines an outer perimeter, and a tissue collection element coupled to the shaft, the tissue collection element being configured to collect the tissue specimen such that the collected tissue specimen is disposed along the shaft and outside of the outer perimeter of the shaft.

Abstract: A suction sleeve is configured to couple to the shaft of an RF device to evacuate hot gasses, fluids and/or other aspirates. The suction sleeve may be configured to be disposed coaxially around the shaft between the first end of the shaft and the work element (e.g., an RF cutting element) thereof. The suction sleeve defines a suction port and a plurality of openings near the work element, and is configured to enable suction in through the plurality of openings and out through the suction port.

Abstract: An implant for filling a cavity created by an excisional procedure includes first and second portions. The first portion may include a first collagenous matrix that defines a first selected crosslinking density and the second portion may include a second collagenous matrix that defines a second selected cross-linking density that is different than the first cross-linking density. The first and second cross-linking densities may be selected so as to cause the first and second portions to swell in such a manner that the implant swells into a size and a shape that is similar to the predetermined size and shape of the cavity when the implant is implanted. An aqueous solution may be added to the cavity if the cavity is not sufficiently aqueous to cause the implant to swell.

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.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy device includes a tubular member having a window near a distal tip thereof; a cutting tool, a distal end of the cutting tool being attached near the distal tip of the tubular member, at least a distal portion of the cutting tool being configured to selectively bow out of the window and to retract within the window; and a tissue collection device externally attached at least to the tubular member, the tissue collection device collecting tissue excised by the cutting tool as the biopsy device is rotated and the cutting tool is bowed.

Abstract: A device for removing breast tissue may include a shaft and a cutting element mounted to the shaft. The cutting element may be movable between a bowed position and a straightened position. The cutting element may bow outward away from the shaft when in the bowed position. The cutting element may have an elongate cutting side which cuts tissue when the shaft is rotated. The cutting element may have a length that is at least 25 times larger than a width of the cutting element.

Abstract: A method of cutting breast tissue for removal may include a step of providing a tissue cutting device having an elongate cutting element, the cutting element being movable between a bowed position and a retracted position, the cutting element having a radially outer side and a radially inner side. The tissue cutting device may be introduced into a breast and the elongate cutting element may be moved to the bowed position. A power source may be coupled to the elongate cutting element; and the cutting element may be rotated after the moving step so that the cutting element cuts the breast tissue. The radially outer side of the cutting element may have a larger surface area for transmitting energy to cut the tissue than the radially inner side.