Patent ID: 6220248
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for implanting a biopsy marker at a surgical site within bodily tissue, said method comprising:a) providing a marker applier having:i) a marker cannula for receiving said biopsy marker in said marker cannula, said marker cannula having a lateral marker window at a distal end of said marker cannula, and said biopsy marker is positioned at said lateral marker window for ejection out of said lateral marker window; andii) an elongated ejector rod moveable longitudinally in said marker cannula, said ejector rod cooperable with said biopsy marker for ejecting said biopsy marker out of said lateral marker window in a direction substantially perpendicular to said elongated ejector rod upon a lateral movement of said ejector rod;b) inserting said marker applier into a biopsy cannula positioned at the biopsy site, said biopsy cannula having a vacuum tube port and a lateral biopsy window at a distal end of said biopsy cannula, wherein said marker cannula of said marker applier has a cannula port in communication with said vacuum tube port;c) orienting said lateral marker window of said marker cannula of said marker applier into alignment with said lateral biopsy window of said biopsy cannula;d) pulling vacuum through said vacuum tube port so as to draw the bodily tissue at the biopsy site adjacent to said lateral biopsy window of said biopsy cannula; ande) actuating said elongated ejector rod of said marker applier for longitudinal movement of said ejector rod in said marker cannula so as to eject said biopsy marker in a direction substantially perpendicular to said elongated ejector rod:i) from said marker cannula,ii) through said lateral marker window and said lateral biopsy window; andiii) into the bodily tissue at the biopsy site.