Patent ID: 8082023

Claim:
A method for using positron emission tomography to obtain positional data relating to a lesion in a body part into which a radiopharmaceutical substance has been injected, the method comprising the steps of: detecting gamma radiation emitted from the lesion in the body part using a positron emission tomography device; using the detected gamma radiation to determine the positional data; inserting a fixed-geometry radioactive marker into the body part, wherein gamma radiation emitted from the radioactive marker is distinguishable from the gamma radiation emitted from the lesion, wherein the radioactive marker is contained within a fixed-geometry tube having a proximal tube portion extending in a first direction and a distal tube portion extending in a second, different direction, with the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion charged with the radioactive marker such that the tube contains the radioactive marker along the tube in both the first direction and in the second, different direction such that the effect of radioactive marker extending in both the first and second directions is usable to determine the position and orientation of the hollow tube using the positron emission tomography device; causing the tube to be sealed at a proximal end of said proximal tube portion and at a distal end of said distal tube portion; introducing the tube into the body part; anchoring the tube proximal portion to the lesion; and detecting the position and orientation of the tube by detecting the radioactive marker in both the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion.