Abstract: An intracorporeal marker includes a fibrous unitary marker body having bioabsorbable fibers compressed into a compressed configuration, and bound in the compressed configuration by a polymer binding agent. The intracorporeal marker may be incorporated into an intracorporeal marker delivery device having a delivery cannula which has a distal tip, an inner lumen and a discharge opening in communication with the inner lumen. The compression and binding occur prior to insertion of the fibrous unitary marker body into the inner lumen of the delivery cannula. The fibrous unitary marker body is slidably disposed within and pushable through the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula proximal to the discharge opening.

Abstract: A system for at least partially filling and marking a cavity at a site within a patient's body includes a marker delivery device having a chamber configured to contain a marking substance and having a mechanism configured to expel the marking substance. A quantity of the marking substance is contained within the chamber of the marker delivery device. The marking substance is configured to at least partially fill the cavity and form therein a porous bioabsorbable body. A delivery tube is coupled in fluid communication with the chamber of the marker delivery device. The delivery tube has a distal end with a discharge port through which the marking substance is expelled. A marker is configured to be delivered to the cavity from the distal end of the delivery tube and is configured to remain with the porous bioabsorbable body within the cavity upon the formation thereof.

Abstract: A method of partial breast radiation therapy includes placing within a breast cavity a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biocompatible material, said substantially radio-opaque implant supporting the tissue surrounding the breast cavity; and directing a radiation beam to said substantially radio-opaque implant serving as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity, such that the radiation beam does not materially irradiate the whole of the breast.

Abstract: A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to the electrosurgical electrode. The patient box is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode by a short cable capable of carrying an HV, high frequency 5 MHz signal without leakage. An electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode is monitored and a desired RF power output and duty cycle maintained by adjusting DC input voltage applied to an RF amplifier, responsive to the monitoring. The system determines when the electrosurgical cutting electrode has started cutting and switches from a start mode to a run mode having a different RF duty cycle and a reduced RF power output controlled by a servo system.

Abstract: An elongated intracorporeal remotely detectable marker includes a core of bioabsorbable fibers. An outer jacket of bioabsorbable fibers is disposed around at least part of the core. In one embodiment, for example, the core has a longitudinal extent and a pair of opposed ends, and the outer jacket is disposed around the longitudinal extent of the core, with the pair of opposed ends being exposed.

Abstract: A guide block for an MRI device has a block body with a proximal face, a distal face, and a plurality of passageways extending between the two faces. A first guide passageway within the guide block is open along the body length, extends between the proximal face and the distal face, and is configured to receive a tissue-removing device. A second guide passageway within the guide block is open along the body length, extends between the proximal face and the distal face, and is configured to receive the tissue-removing device. A longitudinal opening extends between the first guide passageway and the second guide passageway, and is coextensive with the first guide passageway and the second guide passageway between the proximal face and the distal face.

Abstract: A method for mitigating leakage in an RF electrosurgical generator includes delivering an RF signal from an RF electrosurgical generator to an electrosurgical electrode by way of a patient box; providing a balanced and symmetrical shielded transmission line coupling said electrosurgical generator disposed in a first housing to said patient box disposed in a second, different housing; providing a common mode choke in said patient box, said common mode choke including an output winding and a return winding, said output winding and said return winding spaced apart and in parallel to maintain a desired impedance, said output winding comprising a wire carrying said RF signal as an output signal and said return winding carrying a return signal from a return electrode; and directing a common mode signal from said RF signal to said common mode choke thereby blocking said common mode signal.

Abstract: A trocar assembly including a trocar and a trocar sheath and methods for accessing an intracorporeal site, e.g. biopsy or trocar site, using the trocar assembly. The trocar has a tissue penetrating distal tip, an elongated shaft and a proximal handle portion. The distal portion of the trocar sheath forms a releasable connection, such as a friction fit, with the shaft of the trocar and a slit that extends from the distal portion to the proximal end of the trocar sheath. The trocar assembly is advanced through the patient's tissue until the distal end of the trocar sheath is located at the desired site and then the trocar is removed. A treatment device such as a radiation balloon catheter is advanced through the interior of the sheath until the treatment component thereof is at the desired site.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and methods for separating and collecting a tissue specimen from a patient's target site. The device includes a probe member with a penetrating distal tip and a tissue receiving aperture, and a tissue cutting member which is rotatable disposed within the probe member to cut a tissue specimen drawn into the interior of the device through the aperture. The longitudinal edges of the aperture are preferably sharpened to engage the cutting edges of the tissue cutting member. Vacuum may be provided in the inner lumen of the cutting member to transport tissue therethrough. Rotation, rotational oscillation and/or longitudinal reciprocation of the tissue cutting member is effective to separate a tissue specimen from surrounding tissue. An accessing cannula having an tissue receiving aperture may be concentrically disposed within the probe member and about the tissue cutting member.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a device for asymmetrical irradiation of a body cavity or site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. biopsy or lumpectomy. The device includes an elongated tubular shaft having an inner lumen and a tubular wall with a plurality of lumens extending within the wall which are configured for receiving a radiation source. The distal portion of the tubular shaft is cut into a plurality of longitudinally separated wall segments with a lumen extending within at least one of the wall segments. A support member is positioned within the separated wall segments to support and position the wall segments in a desired configuration for brachytherapy. An expandable member such as an inflatable balloon is mounted on the distal shaft portion about the separated wall segments wall which when inflated secures the distal shaft portion within a desired intracorporeal site for brachytherapy treatment.

Abstract: A marker delivery device includes an elongated delivery cannula which has a distal end section, an inner lumen and a discharge opening in the distal end section in communication with the inner lumen. At least one elongated fibrous marker body is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula. The at least one elongated fibrous marker body includes a plurality of bioabsorbable polymeric strands. The strands are compressed to a compressed configuration and bound together in the compressed configuration with a polymer binding agent prior to insertion into the elongated delivery cannula.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an elongated probe having a central longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and an aperture. A tissue penetrating tip includes a proximal base secured to the distal end of the probe. A sharp distal point distal to the proximal base lies on the central longitudinal axis. Each of a first, second and third concave surface is configured to extend from the base to the sharp distal point. The second concave surface is located to intersect the first concave surface to form a first curved cutting edge. A third concave surface is located to intersect the first concave surface to form a second curved cutting edge and is located to intersect the second concave surface to form a third curved cutting edge. Each curved cutting edge extends from the base to the sharp distal point. A tissue cutting device is coaxial with the probe.

Abstract: A system for at least partially filling and marking a cavity at a site within a patient's body includes a marker delivery device having a chamber configured to contain a marking substance and having a mechanism configured to expel the marking substance. A quantity of the marking substance is contained within the chamber of the marker delivery device. The marking substance is configured to at least partially fill the cavity and form therein a porous bioabsorbable body. A delivery tube is coupled in fluid communication with the chamber of the marker delivery device. The delivery tube has a distal end with a discharge port through which the marking substance is expelled. A releasable remotely detectable distal tip is coupled to the distal end of the delivery tube and is configured to be released to remain within the porous bioabsorbable body within the cavity upon the formation thereof.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for temporarily maintaining access to a body cavity in a targeted tissue region within a patient's body. A catheter for temporarily at least partially filing a body cavity in a targeted tissue region within a patient's body includes a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a cavity filling member on a distal shaft section configured to at least partially fill the body cavity. A proximal shaft section is configured to be folded so as to be subcutaneously deployed within the patient when the cavity filling member is disposed within the body cavity so as to prevent intrusion of bacteria. An anti-bacterial material is applied to or incorporated within a surface of the shaft and the cavity filling member so as to prevent bacteria growth.

Abstract: An obturator for marking an intracorporeal site includes an elongated shaft having an inner lumen, a proximal end, and a substantially closed distal end, the substantially closed distal end being formed of a penetrable membrane. A stylet has an MRI detectable distal shaft portion configured for removable insertion into the inner lumen of the elongated shaft to a location proximal to the penetrable membrane. The MRI detectable distal shaft portion is configured to not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging of tissue proximate thereto.

Abstract: A trocar assembly including a trocar and a trocar sheath and methods for accessing an intracorporeal site, e.g. biopsy or trocar site, using the trocar assembly. The trocar has a tissue penetrating distal tip, an elongated shaft and a proximal handle portion. The distal portion of the trocar sheath forms a releasable connection, such as a friction fit, with the shaft of the trocar and a slit that extends from the distal portion to the proximal end of the trocar sheath. The trocar assembly is advanced through the patient's tissue until the distal end of the trocar sheath is located at the desired site and then the trocar is removed. A treatment device such as a radiation balloon catheter is advanced through the interior of the sheath until the treatment component thereof is at the desired site.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for separating and collecting one or more tissue specimens from a target site within a patient and flushing the specimen to remove blood, debris and the like before the specimen is removed from the biopsy device. The flow of flushing fluid to the tissue collector is preferably controlled to coincide with delivery of one or more specimens to the collecting tray or basket of the device or after the receipt of the specimen within the tissue collector to ensure that the fluid is applied to a fresh specimen. The tissue tray or basket within the tissue collector has an open or foraminous portion to facilitate removal of fluid, such as the applied fluid and blood, and other debris from the tissue specimens on the tray. Vacuum is provided within the tissue collector, preferably under the tray to remove fluid and debris from the collector interior.

Abstract: A catheter device for irradiating tissue surrounding a body site within a body of a patient, includes an elongated shaft which has a distal portion configured to be deployed within the body site. A treatment location at the distal portion has one or more radiation guides configured to receive a radiation source to irradiate tissue at least in part surrounding the body site. An inflatable multilayered balloon is located to surround the treatment location with a wall thereof having at least two layers including a first layer separate from, inside, and in contact with a second layer around an entire periphery of the first layer, and each of the first layer and the second layer being secured to the distal portion of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: One embodiment having features of the invention is directed to a guide block for an MRI device which has a block body with a proximal face, a distal face, and four parallel passageways extending between the two faces. The first passageway is centrally disposed, the second passageway is disposed vertical or horizontal to the first, the third passageway is located diagonal to the first and has a longitudinal opening in fluid communication with the first passageway, and the fourth passageway is diagonal to the first and in an opposite side of the body from the third passageway. In an alternative embodiment the guide block has at least one passageway that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for delivering a radiation source into a body cavity includes a catheter shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. An inflatable balloon is coupled to the catheter shaft between the distal end and the proximal end. A dose delivery lumen extends along the catheter shaft between the proximal end and the distal end. The dose delivery lumen is configured to receive the radiation source. A radioabsorptive portion is surrounded by the inflatable balloon.