Inventors:
Roman Turovskiy - San Francisco CA, US
Ted Su - Mountain View CA, US
Steven Kim - Los Altos CA, US
Mani Prakash - Campbell CA, US
International Classification:
A61B010/00
Abstract:
This invention is an improved tissue-localizing device with an electrically energized locator element for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision. The electrical energizing of the locator element facilitates the penetration of the locator element in to subject's tissue and minimizes resistance due to dense or calcified tissues. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Delivery of electric current may be achieved through monopolar or bipolar electronic configuration depending on design needs. Various energy sources, e.g. radio frequency, microwave or ultrasound, may be implemented in this energized tissue-localizing device.