Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. The lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker is configured to change when transitioning between the insertion orientation and the anchored orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. In the insertion orientation, the biopsy marker is manipulated under force to reduce the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker. In the anchored orientation, the biopsy marker is released and free to actively spring into a configuration in which the lateral span/cross-sectional area is greater than the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the biopsy marker when in the insertion orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A method for marking a biopsy site after a biopsy has been performed includes the steps of placing a marker in the form of a semi-permeable membrane at the biopsy site so that the marker can be found at a later time, inserting a needle into the marker at the later time which is preferably immediately before a planned surgical resection of the biopsy site, and injecting a dye directly into the marker to color the marker. The semi-permeable qualities of the marker facilitate the slow egress of dye into tissue that is immediately adjacent the marker, enlarging the footprint of the marker. The semi-permeable membrane includes a high percentage of water after reaching osmotic equilibrium, rendering the marker highly visible under ultrasound imaging. The semi-permeable membrane may take the form of a fully or partially dehydrated hydrogel.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. In the insertion orientation, the biopsy marker is manipulated under force to reduce the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker. In the anchored orientation, the biopsy marker is released and free to actively spring into a configuration in which the lateral span/cross-sectional area is greater than the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the biopsy marker when in the insertion orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. The lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker is configured to change when transitioning between the insertion orientation and the anchored orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. The lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker is configured to change when transitioning between the insertion orientation and the anchored orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A plug delivery system and method of use. The plug delivery device includes a support leg, a plunger, and an extractor. The support leg includes an internal receiving space configured to receive an implanted coaxial needle assembly through an opening in the distal end. The plunger extends at least partially through the internal receiving space of the support leg and has a longitudinally adjustable relation with respect to the support leg. The extractor is also configured to translate in a longitudinal direction with respect to the support leg and has a needle connection component configured to engage the coaxial needle assembly. The extractor can be moved distally in the longitudinal direction to engage the coaxial needle assembly and then moved distally to concurrently retract the coaxial needle assembly while the plunger remains relatively stationary to deploy the sealant plug residing in the coaxial needle assembly.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. The lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker is configured to change when transitioning between the insertion orientation and the anchored orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A system and method for sealing openings in a body of a patient made by a medical procedure or non-medical event. The opening may be formed in soft tissue, internal organs, or hard tissue. A coaxial needle is inserted into a patient and a coagulating agent is inserted into the patient via the coaxial needle. The coagulating agent is discharged adjacent to the opening and the coaxial needle is inserted to a surgical depth. Following the procedure, the coaxial needle is retracted to a plug discharging depth. A bioabsorbable plug in at least a partially dehydrated state is then discharged from the coaxial needle and the coaxial needle is removed. The plug resides at least partially within the opening in the organ or tissue created by the coaxial needle. The combination of the coagulating agent and the expandable plug seals the opening created by the coaxial needle.

Abstract: A plug delivery system and method of use. The plug delivery device includes a support leg, a plunger, and an extractor. The support leg includes an internal receiving space configured to receive an implanted coaxial needle assembly through an opening in the distal end. The plunger extends at least partially through the internal receiving space of the support leg and has a longitudinally adjustable relation with respect to the support leg. The extractor is also configured to translate in a longitudinal direction with respect to the support leg and has a needle connection component configured to engage the coaxial needle assembly. The extractor can be moved distally in the longitudinal direction to engage the coaxial needle assembly and then moved distally to concurrently retract the coaxial needle assembly while the plunger remains relatively stationary to deploy the sealant plug residing in the coaxial needle assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for sealing openings in a body of a patient made by a medical procedure or non-medical event. The opening may be formed in soft tissue, internal organs, or hard tissue. A coaxial needle is inserted into a patient and a coagulating agent is inserted into the patient via the coaxial needle. The coagulating agent is discharged adjacent to the opening and the coaxial needle is inserted to a surgical depth. Following the procedure, the coaxial needle is retracted to a plug discharging depth. A bioabsorbable plug in at least a partially dehydrated state is then discharged from the coaxial needle and the coaxial needle is removed. The plug resides at least partially within the opening in the organ or tissue created by the coaxial needle. The combination of the coagulating agent and the expandable plug seals the opening created by the coaxial needle.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. In the insertion orientation, the biopsy marker is manipulated under force to reduce the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker. In the anchored orientation, the biopsy marker is released and free to actively spring into a configuration in which the lateral span/cross-sectional area is greater than the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the biopsy marker when in the insertion orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A permanent or temporary marker is embedded within a hydrogel plug used in a biopsy procedure to indicate the location of a suspicious lesion so that the marker may be found in a subsequent surgical procedure. A combination of at least one permanent and at least one temporary marker may be used. Inserts of differing sizes and shapes may also be placed into the hydrogel plugs during their manufacturing process and removed from the plugs after the plugs have cured so that air-filled cavities are left in the plug. These cavities are temporary but may be used to augment location of a permanent marker.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. The lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker is configured to change when transitioning between the insertion orientation and the anchored orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A permanent or temporary marker is embedded within a hydrogel plug used in a biopsy procedure to indicate the location of a suspicious lesion so that the marker may be found in a subsequent surgical procedure. A combination of at least one permanent and at least one temporary marker may be used. Inserts of differing sizes and shapes may also be placed into the hydrogel plugs during their manufacturing process and removed from the plugs after the plugs have cured so that air-filled cavities are left in the plug. These cavities are temporary but may be used to augment location of a permanent marker.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. In the insertion orientation, the biopsy marker is manipulated under force to reduce the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker. In the anchored orientation, the biopsy marker is released and free to actively spring into a configuration in which the lateral span/cross-sectional area is greater than the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the biopsy marker when in the insertion orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A permanent or temporary marker is embedded within a hydrogel plug used in a biopsy procedure to indicate the location of a suspicious lesion so that the marker may be found in a subsequent surgical procedure. A combination of at least one permanent and at least one temporary marker may be used. Inserts of differing sizes and shapes may also be placed into the hydrogel plugs during their manufacturing process and removed from the plugs after the plugs have cured so that air-filled cavities are left in the plug. These cavities are temporary but may be used to augment location of a permanent marker.

Abstract: A method for marking a biopsy site after a biopsy has been performed includes the steps of placing a marker in the form of a semi-permeable membrane at the biopsy site so that the marker can be found at a later time, inserting a needle into the marker at the later time which is preferably immediately before a planned surgical resection of the biopsy site, and injecting a dye directly into the marker to color the marker. The semi-permeable qualities of the marker facilitate the slow egress of dye into tissue that is immediately adjacent the marker, enlarging the footprint of the marker. The semi-permeable membrane includes a high percentage of water after reaching osmotic equilibrium, rendering the marker highly visible under ultrasound imaging. The semi-permeable membrane may take the form of a fully or partially dehydrated hydrogel.

Abstract: A tool for inserting a marker into tissue at a biopsy site includes an elongate plunger having a blind bore. A plunger rod has a proximal end received within and secured to the blind bore so that the plunger rod moves conjointly with the plunger and a spring is secured to the distal end of the plunger rod. A cannula has a lumen that receives a distal end of the plunger rod and a crimp is formed in the cannula near its distal end. The cannula has a side exit port where a marker is ejected from the lumen. A ramp is formed in communication with the side exit port and the ramp has a preselected slope that controls the angle at which the marker is ejected. The marker is ejected from the side exit port into tissue when the spring unloads abruptly as the marker clears the crimp.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.