Cianna Medical, Inc.

Innovative Sampling Solutions, Inc.

Other

Mark A Cole

Eduardo Chi Sing

George D Hermann

Gail S Lebovic

Than Nguyen

Mark Andrew Ritchart

Tommy G Nguyen

Thomas J Johnston

Alan M Lovelace

Cyril Feldstein

Thomas Wood Andrews

Donald W Crawford

Mark A Richart

Mark A Ritchart

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.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for localizing markers or tissue structures within a body

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.

Brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using them

An air particle sample cassette enables concurrent or sequential collection of air particle samples. The dual air particle sample cassette has top and bottom covers that fit together to provide an airtight seal between them. The airtight seal may be provided by adhesive or otherwise. However, a close fit between the two also aids in obtaining an airtight seal. The top cover has tapering inlets circumscribed by channels. The inlets taper to create increased air speed at the exit slit of the inlets. The inlets have rounded tops for greater collection of air and the circumscribing channels provide means by which plastic caps or otherwise may be used to protect the inlets from collecting air until desired. The sample plate or collecting slide is fitted to the bottom of the top cover and obstructs the direct flow of air to the exit port. The collecting slide is protected from contact with other cassette elements by spacers or sidewalls which generally leave the corners of the bottom cover open. The exit port enables the common application of vacuum pressure to draw air through the inlets. Different inlet characteristics or air speeds may serve to enable selection of size of the particle sampled. Filter elements may also be introduced upstream of the inlets to further select sample particle size.

Dual air particle sample cassette and methods for using same

Dual air particle sample cassette

An apparatus is described for moving a probe (12) that engages moving living tissue such as a heart or an artery that is penetrated by the probe, which moves the probe in synchronism with the tissue to maintain the probe at a constant location with respect to the tissue. The apparatus includes a servo positioner (18) which moves a servo member (20) to maintain a constant distance from a sensed object (30) while applying very little force to the sensed object, and a follower (26) having a stirrup (28) at one end resting on a surface of the living tissue and another end carrying a sensed object (30) adjacent to the servo member. A probe holder (34) has one end mounted on the servo member (20) and another end which holds the probe (12). The probe is held adjacent to the stirrup (28) of the follower assembly, so that movements of the tissue and therefore of the follower assembly (26) result in corresponding movement of the probe (12) to follow the surface of the tissue.

System and method for moving a probe to follow movements of tissue

Growing community of inventors

Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

Mark A Cole