Abstract: A method of operating a tissue marking apparatus includes providing a tissue marking apparatus having a cannula, a stylet, and an imaging marker, the cannula having a peripheral wall forming a lumen and a lateral opening in the peripheral wall that is open to the lumen, and having a resilient end wall extending downwardly from the peripheral wall at a distal extent of the lateral opening, the stylet being slidably received within the lumen of the cannula for movement in the lumen; moving the stylet in a distal direction to expel the imaging marker from the lateral opening; and continue moving the stylet in the distal direction to deflect the resilient end wall of the cannula such that a distal end of the stylet passes beneath the resilient end wall to substantially close off the lateral opening of the cannula.

Abstract: A method of operating a tissue marking apparatus includes providing a tissue marking apparatus having a cannula, a stylet, and an imaging marker, the cannula having a peripheral wall forming a lumen and a lateral opening in the peripheral wall that is open to the lumen, and having a resilient end wall extending downwardly from the peripheral wall at a distal extent of the lateral opening, the stylet being slidably received within the lumen of the cannula for movement in the lumen; moving the stylet in a distal direction to expel the imaging marker from the lateral opening; and continue moving the stylet in the distal direction to deflect the resilient end wall of the cannula such that a distal end of the stylet passes beneath the resilient end wall to substantially close off the lateral opening of the cannula.

Abstract: A marking apparatus includes a rigid cannula having a peripheral wall forming a lumen that carries an imaging marker. A lateral opening in the peripheral wall is open to the lumen. The lateral opening has a proximal extent and a distal extent. A closed-off distal portion is distal to the lateral opening. A resilient end wall extends downwardly from the peripheral wall at the distal extent of the lateral opening. A stylet has a distal end having a ramp. The stylet is slidably received within the lumen of the rigid cannula for movement in the lumen. The resilient end wall of the rigid cannula is configured to engage the ramp of the distal end of the stylet when the stylet is advanced through the lumen of the rigid cannula to an extended position to substantially close off the lateral opening of the rigid cannula.

Abstract: A marking apparatus includes a rigid cannula having a peripheral wall forming a lumen that carries an imaging marker. A lateral opening in the peripheral wall is open to the lumen. The lateral opening has a proximal extent and a distal extent. A closed-off distal portion is distal to the lateral opening. A resilient end wall extends downwardly from the peripheral wall at the distal extent of the lateral opening. A stylet has a distal end having a ramp. The stylet is slidably received within the lumen of the rigid cannula for movement in the lumen. The resilient end wall of the rigid cannula is configured to engage the ramp of the distal end of the stylet when the stylet is advanced through the lumen of the rigid cannula to an extended position to substantially close off the lateral opening of the rigid cannula.

Abstract: A marking apparatus includes a rigid cannula having a peripheral wall forming a lumen that carries an imaging marker, a proximal end coupled to a handle, a lateral opening in the peripheral wall that is open to the lumen, and a closed-off distal portion having a ramp adjacent the lumen. The closed-off distal portion extends distally from the ramp to terminate at a tissue piercing pointed tip. The ramp of the rigid cannula is curved to transition from the peripheral wall of the rigid cannula to the lateral opening of the rigid cannula. The ramp of the rigid cannula is adapted to engage the distal end of the stylet as the stylet is advanced through the lumen of the rigid cannula to guide the distal end of the stylet to a position to substantially close off the lateral opening of the rigid cannula having the tissue piercing tip.

Abstract: A localizing wire includes an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. The localizing wire has an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. The localizing wire can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.

Abstract: A core biopsy device comprises a cutting cannula provided at a distal end with a helical excising blade. The cutting cannula can be rotated within a tissue mass so that the helical excising blade can excise a biopsy sample from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A localizing wire comprises an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. The localizing wire has an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. The localizing wire can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.

Abstract: A localizing wire comprising an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. A localizing wire having an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. A localizing wire that can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.

Abstract: A localizing wire includes an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. The localizing wire has an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. The localizing wire can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.

Abstract: A localizing wire includes an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. The localizing wire has an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. The localizing wire can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus comprises an outer cannula with a resilient excising finger and an inner cannula received within the outer cannula. The excising finger is flexible to extend toward the longitudinal axis of the outer cannula. The outer cannula can be rotated relative to the inner cannula so that the excising finger can excise a biopsy sample from a surrounding tissue mass. The inner cannula can be provided with a spoon portion for supporting the biopsy sample.

Abstract: A core biopsy device comprises an outer cutting cannula in telescoping register with an inner spoon cannula. The outer cutting cannula is provided at a distal end with an arcuate excising blade that is biased radially inwardly to extend beyond the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The inner spoon cannula terminates at a distal end in an arcuate wall to form a biopsy sample spoon for supporting a biopsy sample thereon. The outer cutting cannula can be rotated relative to the inner spoon cannula so that the excising blade can excise the biopsy sample from the surrounding tissue. After removal of the core biopsy device from the tissue, the outer cutting cannula can be retracted away from the inner spoon cannula to reveal the biopsy sample and enable the sample to be removed from the biopsy device in a relatively undisturbed condition.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-piercing, and side-expelling marking apparatus for percutaneously placing a imaging marker in a tissue mass.