Patent US6173715B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6173715B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magnetic anatomical marker and method of use
Assignee: Lucent Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-01
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Granted: 2001-01-16
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Expires: 2019-03-01
Abstract
Abstract An anatomical marker uses a permanent magnet to indicate a selected location within a patient. The magnet is enclosed within a non-degradable envelope and is coupled to a retention member that is preferably manufactured from a biodegradable material, such as a polyglucuronic acid based material. The retention member may include one or more barbs to retain the anatomical marker in the selected location. An insertion tool, usable with an endoscope, can insert the anatomical marker. A retention magnet is fixedly attached to the insertion tool and holds the anatomical marker in place due to the attractive magnetic forces between the retention magnet and the marker magnet in the non-biodegradable envelope. When the anatomical marker is securely fastened at the selected location in the patient, the forces exerted by the patient's body on the retention member exceed the attractive magnetic forces between the retention magnet and the magnet in the envelope, thus causing the anatomical marker to be released from the insertion tool. The location of the magnet may be subsequently detected using a magnetic detector system.
Inventors
- 👤 Mika N. Sinanan
- 👤 Christopher P. Somogyi
- 👤 Robert N. Golden
- 👤 Fred E. Silverstein
- 👤 Andrei J. Gonzales
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00004; A61B2090/3937; A61B2090/3954; A61B2090/3987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: a central portion having first and second ends; a magnetic element associated with the first end; and a retainer member associated with the second end for retention in a selected location wherein the retainer member is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: a central portion having first and second ends; a magnetic element associated with the first end; and a retainer member associated with the second end for retention in a selected location wherein the retainer member is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first end comprises a magnetic material and the magnetic element is the magnetized first end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the magnetic element comprises a magnet coupled to the first end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the magnet is a rare-earth magnet type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the retainer member comprises a barbed end to provide the retention in the selected location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the retainer member is adapted for insertion in an internal portion of an anatomical structure, the system further comprising a magnetic detector operable from a location external the anatomical structure to detect the location of the magnetic element within the anatomical structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the magnetic detector comprises a first magnetic sensor element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the magnetic detector comprises a Hall-effect magnetic sensor element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: a central portion having first and second ends; a magnet coupled to the first end by a biodegradable material; and a retainer member associated with the second end for retention in a selected location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: a central portion having first and second ends; a magnet coupled to the first end by a biodegradable material; and a retainer member associated with the second end for retention in a selected location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: a central portion having first and second ends; a magnetic element associated with the first end; and a retainer member associated with the second end and having a barbed end for retention in a selected location wherein the barbed end is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: a central portion having first and second ends; a magnetic element associated with the first end; and a retainer member associated with the second end and having a barbed end for retention in a selected location wherein the barbed end is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: an envelope sized for insertion within a patient; a magnetic element contained within the envelope; and a retainer member coupled to the envelope to retain the envelope in a selected location wherein the retainer member is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: an envelope sized for insertion within a patient; a magnetic element contained within the envelope; and a retainer member coupled to the envelope to retain the envelope in a selected location wherein the retainer member is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the magnetic element is a rare-earth type magnet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the envelope is manufactured from a non-degradable material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the retainer member is manufactured from a polyglucuronic acid based material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the retainer member comprises a barbed end to retain the envelope in the selected location.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the barbed end is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11 , further comprising a magnetic detector operable to detect the location of the magnetic element within the patient.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the magnetic detector comprises a Hall-effect magnetic sensor element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
108 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: an envelope sized for insertion within a patient; a magnetic element contained within the envelope; a retainer member coupled to the envelope to retain the envelope in a selected location; an insertion tool sized to pass through an instrument port of an endoscope; and an insertion magnet fixedly attached to a terminal end of the insertion tool, the insertion magnet having a magnetic orientation to magnetically attract and retain the magnetic element with a predetermined magnetic attraction force until the retainer member is firmly attached to the selected location with a retention force that exceeds the predetermined magnetic attraction force.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
108 words
A magnetic marker system for anatomical location, comprising: an envelope sized for insertion within a patient; a magnetic element contained within the envelope; a retainer member coupled to the envelope to retain the envelope in a selected location; an insertion tool sized to pass through an instrument port of an endoscope; and an insertion magnet fixedly attached to a terminal end of the insertion tool, the insertion magnet having a magnetic orientation to magnetically attract and retain the magnetic element with a predetermined magnetic attraction force until the retainer member is firmly attached to the selected location with a retention force that exceeds the predetermined magnetic attraction force.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of using a magnetic marker for anatomical location, the method comprising: inserting a magnetic marker device into a patient, the magnetic marker device comprising a magnetic element and a retainer member manufactured from a biodegradable material; and affixing the magnetic marker device at a selected anatomical location within the patient by affixing the retainer member to the selected anatomical location.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of using a magnetic marker for anatomical location, the method comprising: inserting a magnetic marker device into a patient, the magnetic marker device comprising a magnetic element and a retainer member manufactured from a biodegradable material; and affixing the magnetic marker device at a selected anatomical location within the patient by affixing the retainer member to the selected anatomical location.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the magnetic element is a rare-earth type magnet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising placing the magnetic element in an envelope manufactured from a non-degradable material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 wherein affixing the magnetic marker device comprises affixing the magnetic marker device to the selected anatomical location using a polyglucuronic acid based material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the magnetic marker device comprises a barbed end and affixing the magnetic marker device comprises inserting the barbed end of the magnetic marker device at the selected anatomical location.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the selected anatomical location is an interior portion of an anatomical structure the method further comprising detecting the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element from a location external the anatomical structure.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of using a magnetic marker for anatomical location, the method comprising: inserting a magnetic marker device into a patient, the magnetic marker device comprising a magnetic element; affixing the magnetic marker device at a selected anatomical location within the patient, wherein affixing the magnetic marker device further comprises: placing an insertion magnet, fixedly attached to a terminal end of an insertion tool, in proximity with the magnetic marker device, the insertion magnet having a magnetic orientation to magnetically attract and retain the magnetic element with a predetermined magnetic attraction force; inserting the insertion tool into the patient; affixing the magnetic marker assembly to the selected location; and withdrawing the insertion tool and, if the magnetic marker device is attached to the selected location with a retention force that exceeds the predetermined magnetic attraction force, separating the magnetic marker device from the insertion tool.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of using a magnetic marker for anatomical location, the method comprising: inserting a magnetic marker device into a patient, the magnetic marker device comprising a magnetic element; affixing the magnetic marker device at a selected anatomical location within the patient, wherein affixing the magnetic marker device further comprises: placing an insertion magnet, fixedly attached to a terminal end of an insertion tool, in proximity with the magnetic marker device, the insertion magnet having a magnetic orientation to magnetically attract and retain the magnetic element with a predetermined magnetic attraction force; inserting the insertion tool into the patient; affixing the magnetic marker assembly to the selected location; and withdrawing the insertion tool and, if the magnetic marker device is attached to the selected location with a retention force that exceeds the predetermined magnetic attraction force, separating the magnetic marker device from the insertion tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-16 | 2004-07-17 | 2005-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-16 | 2008-07-17 | 2009-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-16 | 2012-07-17 | 2013-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |