Abstract: The invention provides a device for percutaneously implanting an imaging marker for identifying a location within a tissue mass. The subcutaneous imaging marker comprises at least a first element and a second element, each of which have a primary imaging mode. The primary imaging mode of the first element is different from that of the second element.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneously implanting a localization wire into a tissue mass comprises a cannula with a preloaded localization wire having a distal end and at least one anchor. An actuator is in operable communication with the cannula and is configured for operation between a charged condition and a discharged condition to retract the cannula toward a retracted position to expose the distal end and the at least one anchor of the localization wire to the tissue mass, without inducing movement of the localization wire, and with the cannula being removable from the localization wire in its entirety.

Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneously implanting a localization wire into a tissue mass comprises a cannula with a preloaded localization wire. An actuator is provided to effect the relative movement of the cannula and localization wire such that a distal end of the localization wire is exposed to the tissue mass. A method for implanting a localization wire includes inserting a cannula with a preloaded localization wire into a tissue mass and relatively moving the cannula and localization wire to expose a portion of the localization wire to the tissue mass.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

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

Abstract: A subcutaneous marking apparatus for placement of an imaging marker at a predetermined site in a tissue mass comprises a handle having a front portion and a rear portion, a cannula, a stylet slidably received within the cannula, a trigger extending from the front portion of the handle and operably engaging the stylet, and an imaging marker disposed within a marker recess in a distal end of the cannula. A user can firmly grasp the marking apparatus in one hand and simultaneously actuate the trigger with a finger or a thumb of the same hand to move the stylet and thereby place the imaging marker at the predetermined site.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for the percutaneous placement of a medical device at an area of interest in a tissue mass comprises an introducer comprising a cannula having an insertion tip, an expulsion opening near the insertion tip, and a medical device within the cannula comprising an imaging element, and a guide element connected to the imaging element and having a separable portion, and wherein the cannula is inserted into the tissue mass such that the medical device can be expelled through the expulsion opening into the tissue mass, and when the cannula is withdrawn from the tissue mass, the imaging element is placed within the tissue mass at the area of interest, and at least part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass, and when the separable portion is separated from the guide element, no part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneously implanting a localization wire into a tissue mass comprises a cannula with a preloaded localization wire. An actuator is provided to effect the relative movement of the cannula and localization wire such that a distal end of the localization wire is exposed to the tissue mass. A method for implanting a localization wire includes inserting a cannula with a preloaded localization wire into a tissue mass and relatively moving the cannula and localization wire to expose a portion of the localization wire to the tissue mass.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for the percutaneous placement of a medical device at an area of interest in a tissue mass comprises an introducer comprising a cannula having an insertion tip, an expulsion opening near the insertion tip, and a medical device within the cannula comprising an imaging element, and a guide element connected to the imaging element and having a separable portion, and wherein the cannula is inserted into the tissue mass such that the medical device can be expelled through the expulsion opening into the tissue mass, and when the cannula is withdrawn from the tissue mass, the imaging element is placed within the tissue mass at the area of interest, and at least part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass, and when the separable portion is separated from the guide element, no part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass.

Abstract: A localizing needle comprises a barbed localizing wire fixedly sheathed within a flexible hollow infusion tube for delivering fluids to surrounding tissue through a plurality of spaced infusion ports. Echogenic and/or radiopaque markers are provided at selected intervals along the infusion tube. A helical wire bead at a distal end of the tube anchors the wire to the tube.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.