Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Abstract: A depth and puncture control system for a blood vessel hemostasis system includes a blood vessel puncture control tip which, when positioned in the lumen of a blood vessel, can inhibit the flow of blood out of the puncture site. When used together with a pledget delivery cannula and a pledget pusher, the control tip and the delivery catheter can both inhibit blood loss out the puncture site and inhibit the introduction of pledget material and tissue fragments into the blood vessel. The system also includes a handle which releasably connects together the control tip, pusher, and delivery cannula to permit limited longitudinal motion between the control tip and the delivery cannula, and between the pusher and the delivery cannula.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways. The apparatus may include features to prevent overexpansion of the elongate members and/or to facilitate rapid collapse of the elongate members.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a pledget of hemostasis promoting material to a blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis, having an introducer sheath having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a control tip coupled to the introducer sheath, and a self-expandable member disposed around a portion of the control tip to control blood flow at the blood vessel puncture.

Abstract: A system for delivering hemostasis promoting material of the present invention allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered to a blood vessel puncture site by fluid pressure. The system allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered through an introducer sheath which is already in place within a tissue tract. This system includes a control tip which is insertable through the introducer sheath to locate and occlude the blood vessel puncture site and a hydration chamber for receiving and delivering the hemostasis promoting material to the blood vessel puncture site. The system accurately locates the blood vessel wall at a puncture site and for properly placing a hemostasis plug over the puncture site.

Abstract: A system for delivering hemostasis promoting material of the present invention allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered to a blood vessel puncture site by fluid pressure. The system allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered through an producer sheath which is already in place within a tissue tract. The system includes a controlled tip which is insertable through the introducer sheath to locate and occlude the blood vessel puncture site and a hydration chamber for receiving and delivering the hemostasis promoting material to the blood vessel puncture site. The system accurately locates the blood vessel wall at a puncture site and for properly placing a hemostasis plug over the puncture site.

Abstract: A depth and puncture control system for a blood vessel hemostasis system includes a blood vessel puncture control tip which, when positioned in the lumen of a blood vessel, can inhibit the flow of blood out of the puncture site. When used together with a pledget delivery cannula and a pledget pusher, the control tip and the delivery catheter can both inhibit blood loss out the puncture site and inhibit the introduction of pledget material and tissue fragments into the blood vessel. The system also includes a handle which releasably connects together the control tip, pusher, and delivery cannula to permit limited longitudinal motion between the control tip and the delivery cannula, and between the pusher and the delivery cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10) is adapted to contact tissue of a patient, and to provide traction with the tissue in order to inhibit migration of the instrument relative to the tissue. The instrument may include a pair of opposing jaws (16, 18) with at least one of the jaws (16, 18) comprising a substrate having a particular surface facing the tissue, and a plurality of discrete elements (26, 28) disposed on the particular surface for increasing the traction of the instrument relative to the tissue. These discrete elements (26, 28) may include a multiplicity of granules, bristles, or projections, and may be formed of materials having various properties such as hydrophilic characteristics. The discrete elements in the form of bristles can be oriented too so that the column strength of each bristle provides increased traction in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a pledget of hemostasis promoting material to a blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis, having an introducer sheath having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a control tip coupled to the introducer sheath, and a self-expandable member disposed around a portion of the control tip to control blood flow at the blood vessel puncture.

Abstract: A system for delivering hemostasis promoting material of the present invention allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered to a blood vessel puncture site by fluid pressure. The system allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered through an introducer sheath which is already in place within a tissue tract. This system includes a control tip which is insertable through the introducer sheath to locate and occlude the blood vessel puncture site and a hydration chamber for receiving and delivering the hemostasis promoting material to the blood vessel puncture site. The system accurately locates the blood vessel wall at a puncture site and for properly placing a hemostasis plug over the puncture site.

Abstract: A system for delivering hemostasis promoting material of the present invention allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered to a blood vessel puncture site by fluid pressure. The system allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered through an producer sheath which is already in place within a tissue tract. The system includes a controlled tip which is insertable through the introducer sheath to locate and occlude the blood vessel puncture site and a hydration chamber for receiving and delivering the hemostasis promoting material to the blood vessel puncture site. The system accurately locates the blood vessel wall at a puncture site and for properly placing a hemostasis plug over the puncture site.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10) is adapted to contact tissue of a patient, and to provide traction with the tissue in order to inhibit migration of the instrument relative to the tissue. The instrument may include a pair of opposing jaws (16, 18) with at least one of the jaws (16, 18) comprising a substrate having a particular surface facing the tissue, and a plurality of discrete elements (26, 28) disposed on the particular surface for increasing the traction of the instrument relative to the tissue. These discrete elements (26, 28) may include a multiplicity of granules, bristles, or projections, and may be formed of materials having various properties such as hydrophilic characteristics. The discrete elements in the form of bristles can be oriented too so that the column strength of each bristle provides increased traction in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is adapted to contact tissue of a patient and to provide traction with the tissue in order to inhibit migration of the instrument relative to the tissue. The instrument may include a pair of opposing jaws with at least one of the jaws comprising a substrate having a particular surface facing the tissue, and a plurality of discrete elements disposed on the particular surface for increasing the traction of the instrument relative to the tissue. These discrete elements may include a multiplicity of granules, bristles, or projections and may be formed of materials having various properties such as hydrophilic characteristics. The discrete elements in the form of bristles can be oriented too so that the column strength of each bristle provides increased traction in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A depth and puncture control system for a blood vessel hemostasis system includes a blood vessel puncture control tip which, when positioned in the lumen of a blood vessel, can inhibit the flow of blood out of the puncture site. When used together with a pledget delivery cannula and a pledget pusher, the control tip and the delivery catheter can both inhibit blood loss out the puncture site and inhibit the introduction of pledget material and tissue fragments into the blood vessel. The system also includes a handle which releasably connects together the control tip, pusher, and delivery cannula to permit limited longitudinal motion between the control tip and the delivery cannula, and between the pusher and the delivery cannula.

Abstract: A surgical clip includes a first jaw and a second jaw relatively movable in a first direction between a first relatively proximate position and a second relatively spaced position. The jaws in the second position have a predetermined dimension in the first direction. The clip has an overall maximum dimension in the first direction which is not greater than about the predetermined dimension of the jaws in the second position. A spring under tension is housed in a telescoping barrel and coupled between the first and second jaws for biasing the jaws to the first position.