Abstract: A biopsy system is disclosed that has a tissue removal system, an imaging system, an image display system and a common input console for these systems. The tissue removal system can have a mechanical tissue cutting blade or an electrosurgical cutting element and the tissue removal system is capable of handling both tissue cutting configurations. The imaging system is preferably an ultrasound imaging system and the image display system has a video screen for displaying diagnostic ultrasound images from an ultrasound probe. The common input console preferably has a touch screen display and a keyboard to facilitate operation of the tissue removal system, the ultrasound imaging system and the image display system from the same console.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intracorporeal fibrous marker formed of a fibrous pad or mat with strands of synthetic polymeric material such as polyglycolic acid and delivery devices and methods of using such devices. The fibrous pad or mat has a bulk density of at least 10, preferably about 30 to about 100 mg/cc and typically about 40 mg/cc. The fibrous marker has an effective in vivo lifespan of at least three weeks.