Patent ID: 6050954
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A biopsy needle orientation fixture for use in association with a biopsy needle and diagnostic mammography equipment, said diagnostic mammography equipment including a radiation source, said biopsy needle having an outer diameter, said biopsy needle orientation fixture comprising:a substantially L-shaped frame, said substantially L-shaped frame having vertical and horizontal members, each of said vertical and horizontal members having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, an inner face and an outer face opposite said inner face, said vertical and horizontal members being joined at said first end thereof;a substantially vertical aperture formed proximate said second end of said horizontal member for insertion of a vertical needle guide,said vertical needle guide disposed on and perpendicular to said inner face of said horizontal member in registration with said substantially vertical aperture, said substantially vertical aperture and vertical needle guide having an inner diameter at least slightly larger than said outer diameter of said biopsy needle such that said biopsy needle is operably slidable through said substantially vertical aperture and vertical needle guide along a vertical path intersecting a lesion within a compressed breast;a substantially horizontal aperture formed proximate said second end of said vertical member for insertion of a horizontal needle guide,said horizontal needle guide being disposed on and perpendicular to said inner face of said vertical member in registration with said horizontal aperture, said horizontal aperture and horizontal needle guide having an inner diameter at least slightly larger than said outer diameter of said biopsy needle such that said biopsy needle is operably slidable through said substantially horizontal aperture and horizontal needle guide along a horizontal path intersecting said lesion within said compressed breast,at least a portion of said horizontal member being displaced from alignment with said horizontal path such that said biopsy needle can be visualized by said diagnostic mammography equipment from directly above said biopsy needle orientation fixture; andmeans for mounting said substantially L-shaped frame to said diagnostic mammography equipment in operable association with said radiation source.