US5879357A — Apparatus for marking tissue location

Claim 1

Independent Claim 251 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway; an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable such that the elongated marker is movable between a retracted orientation disposed within the elongated tube and substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tube, an intermediate position disposed outside the elongated tube a distance away from the distal end of the elongated tube maintained in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tube and a deployed orientation non-aligned with the tube longitudinal axis; wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the alignment of the marker with the longitudinal axis of the elongated tube, independently of the elongated tube, after the marker has been moved to the intermediate position disposed a distance away from the distal end of the elongated tube; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the elongated marker and including first and second control portions, wherein relative movement of the first and second control portions from a first orientation to a second orientation moves the elongated marker from the retracted to the intermediate position and wherein further relative movement of the first and second control portions from the second orientation to a third orientation moves the elongated tissue marker to the deployed orientation.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 251 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway; an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable such that the elongated marker is movable between a retracted orientation disposed within the elongated tube and substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tube, an intermediate position disposed outside the elongated tube a distance away from the distal end of the elongated tube maintained in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tube and a deployed orientation non-aligned with the tube longitudinal axis; wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the alignment of the marker with the longitudinal axis of the elongated tube, independently of the elongated tube, after the marker has been moved to the intermediate position disposed a distance away from the distal end of the elongated tube; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the elongated marker and including first and second control portions, wherein relative movement of the first and second control portions from a first orientation to a second orientation moves the elongated marker from the retracted to the intermediate position and wherein further relative movement of the first and second control portions from the second orientation to a third orientation moves the elongated tissue marker to the deployed orientation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 1, wherein when the elongated marker is in the retracted orientation a longitudinal axis of the elongated marker is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated cable.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 43 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 1, wherein when the elongated marker is in the deployed orientation a longitudinal axis of the elongated marker is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated cable.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 80 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 1, wherein the elongated marker is collapsible from the retracted orientation, wherein the elongated needle tube defines an outer surface and the elongated marker forms a substantially uniform transverse dimension with the outer surface of the elongated needle tube to the deployed orientation wherein the elongated marker has a transverse dimension which is substantially greater than that of the outer surface of the elongated needle tube.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly further includes an advancing tube disposed between the first control portion and the elongated marker.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 1, wherein the first deployment actuator is slidable with respect to the housing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 65 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 1, wherein the first control portion is movable in either a proximal direction or a distal direction such that distal movement of the first control portion moves the elongated marker from the retracted orientation to the intermediate position a predetermined distance away from the sharp distal end of the elongated tube.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 1, wherein the second control portion is movable from a first position to a second position wherein such movement rotates the elongated marker from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises a clamp operatively associated with the elongated cable to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the needle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 56 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 9, wherein the clamp includes a screw movable from a first position which permits longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the needle housing, to a second position which prevents longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the needle housing.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 34 words

A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein movement of the tissue marker by the actuator assembly is effected by abutment of at least a portion of the actuator assembly with the tissue marker.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 165 words

A surgical assembly for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle defining a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway; an elongated marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable such that the elongated marker is movable between a retracted orientation and a deployed orientation; wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the alignment of the marker with the longitudinal axis of the elongated tube, independently of the elongated the tube, after the marker has been moved to the intermediate position disposed a distance away from the distal end of the elongated tube; and a stabilizer member disposed in the longitudinal passageway and movable from a first position spaced away from the elongated marker, to a second position biased against the elongated marker to maintain the elongated marker in the deployed orientation such that body tissue disposed proximally of the elongated marker is not compressed by the stabilizer member.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 165 words

A surgical assembly for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle defining a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway; an elongated marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable such that the elongated marker is movable between a retracted orientation and a deployed orientation; wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the alignment of the marker with the longitudinal axis of the elongated tube, independently of the elongated the tube, after the marker has been moved to the intermediate position disposed a distance away from the distal end of the elongated tube; and a stabilizer member disposed in the longitudinal passageway and movable from a first position spaced away from the elongated marker, to a second position biased against the elongated marker to maintain the elongated marker in the deployed orientation such that body tissue disposed proximally of the elongated marker is not compressed by the stabilizer member.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 65 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 12, which further comprises a stop member disposed on the elongated cable at a point proximal of the elongated marker, wherein the stabilizer member is disposed between the elongated marker and the stop member such that the elongated cable is held in tension between the stop member and the elongated marker.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 29 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 13, wherein the stop member is a ferrule which is attached to the elongated cable.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 12, which further comprises a clamp operatively associated with the elongated cable to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the needle.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 54 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue according to claim 15, wherein the clamp includes a screw movable from a first position which permits longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the needle, to a second position which prevents longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the needle.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 41 words

A surgical apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the surgical apparatus further comprises an actuator housing and a deployment member operatively connected to the actuator housing to facilitate movement of the elongated marker from the retracted orientation to the deployed orientation.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 35 words

A surgical apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the actuator housing includes at least one non-planar surface portion which interacts with the deployment member to retain the deployment member in at least one predetermined position.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 176 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a housing defining a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway; a tissue marker operatively connected to a distal end of the elongated cable, the marker being selectively positionable in a retracted orientation disposed within the housing, an intermediate position wherein the marker is outside the housing spaced a distance from a distal end of the housing wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the relative orientation of the marker with respect to the housing independently of any support from the housing and a deployed orientation wherein the marker is rotated to a non-aligned relationship relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the tissue marker and movable between a first position and a second position to move the marker, the actuator assembly including a clamp operatively associated with the elongated cable to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the apparatus housing.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 176 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a housing defining a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway; a tissue marker operatively connected to a distal end of the elongated cable, the marker being selectively positionable in a retracted orientation disposed within the housing, an intermediate position wherein the marker is outside the housing spaced a distance from a distal end of the housing wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the relative orientation of the marker with respect to the housing independently of any support from the housing and a deployed orientation wherein the marker is rotated to a non-aligned relationship relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the tissue marker and movable between a first position and a second position to move the marker, the actuator assembly including a clamp operatively associated with the elongated cable to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the elongated cable relative to the apparatus housing.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 24 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, according to claim 19, wherein the clamp is connected to the apparatus housing.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 72 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, according to claim 20, wherein the clamp includes a body portion defining a passageway therethrough to receive the elongated cable and a bias member movable from a released position, wherein the elongated cable is permitted to move longitudinally relative to the body portion and a clamped position, wherein the elongated cable is prevented from moving longitudinally relative to the body portion.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, according to claim 21, wherein the bias member is a screw threadably positioned in a bore formed in the body portion.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 148 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle assembly including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming an longitudinal passageway therethrough; a marker assembly including an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway and an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable such that the elongated marker is movable between a retracted orientation and a deployed orientation, wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the elongated tissue marker in each of said retracted and deployed orientations independently of any support from the elongated tube; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the elongated marker, wherein movement of the actuator assembly from a first position to a second position moves the elongated marker from the retracted position to the deployed position.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 148 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle assembly including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming an longitudinal passageway therethrough; a marker assembly including an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway and an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable such that the elongated marker is movable between a retracted orientation and a deployed orientation, wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the elongated tissue marker in each of said retracted and deployed orientations independently of any support from the elongated tube; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the elongated marker, wherein movement of the actuator assembly from a first position to a second position moves the elongated marker from the retracted position to the deployed position.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 167 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway and defining a central longitudinal axis; an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable and axially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis of the cable, the elongated marker being movable between a retracted orientation and a deployed orientation; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the elongated marker, wherein movement of the actuator assembly from a first position to a second position moves the elongated marker from the retracted orientation to the deployed orientation such that the elongated tissue marker is disposed outside the tube wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the relative orientation of the marker with respect to the housing independently of any support from the housing.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 167 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming a longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway and defining a central longitudinal axis; an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable and axially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis of the cable, the elongated marker being movable between a retracted orientation and a deployed orientation; and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the elongated marker, wherein movement of the actuator assembly from a first position to a second position moves the elongated marker from the retracted orientation to the deployed orientation such that the elongated tissue marker is disposed outside the tube wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the relative orientation of the marker with respect to the housing independently of any support from the housing.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 130 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming an longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway and defining a central longitudinal axis; an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable and being controllably movable from a retracted position, to an intermediate position and further controllably movable to a deployed position wherein the marker is reoriented with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated tube wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the relative orientation of the marker with respect to the housing independently of any support from the housing.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 130 words

A surgical apparatus for marking a particular location in body tissue, which comprises: a needle including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, the housing and elongated tube forming an longitudinal passageway therethrough; an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through the longitudinal passageway and defining a central longitudinal axis; an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable and being controllably movable from a retracted position, to an intermediate position and further controllably movable to a deployed position wherein the marker is reoriented with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated tube wherein the elongated cable is sufficiently rigid to maintain the relative orientation of the marker with respect to the housing independently of any support from the housing.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-03-08	2002-09-07	2003-03-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-03-08	2006-09-07	2007-03-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-03-08	2010-09-07	2011-03-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for marking tissue location

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