US 11,752,361 B2
Diagnostic or therapeutic procedure using implantable targets
James B. Stubbs, Palo Alto, CA (US); George D. Hermann, Los Altos, CA (US); Gail S. Lebovic, Frisco, TX (US); and Michael J. Drews, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Assigned to HOLOGIC, INC., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed by HOLOGIC, INC., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed on Jan. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/262,401.
Application 16/262,401 is a continuation of application No. 14/954,589, filed on Nov. 30, 2015, abandoned.
Application 14/954,589 is a continuation of application No. 14/581,146, filed on Dec. 23, 2014, granted, now 9,199,092, issued on Dec. 1, 2015.
Application 14/581,146 is a continuation of application No. 12/790,314, filed on May 28, 2010, granted, now 9,014,787, issued on Apr. 21, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/183,010, filed on Jun. 1, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2019/0358468 A1, Nov. 28, 2019
Int. Cl. A61N 5/10 (2006.01); A61B 90/94 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 5/1015 (2013.01) [A61B 90/39 (2016.02); A61B 90/94 (2016.02); A61N 5/1049 (2013.01); A61N 5/1069 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00004 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00716 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0815 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3908 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3925 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3954 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3966 (2016.02); A61N 2005/1098 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
creating a cavity in a breast of a patient's body during a lumpectomy procedure by removing soft tissue through a surgical incision from a location within the patient's body;
inserting into the cavity by an open surgical method a bioabsorbable implant including a plurality of arms emanating from a center of the implant, a first arm of the plurality of arms including a first enlarged spherical end and a second arm of the plurality of arms including a second enlarged spherical end, the first enlarged spherical end having a different size than the second enlarged spherical end, wherein the implant has x, y, and z axes, wherein at least the first arm of the plurality of arms emanating along one of the x, y, and z axes of the implant is orthogonal to at least the second arm of the plurality of arms of the implant emanating along another of the x, y, and z axes of the implant, and wherein the implant is asymmetrical about two of the x, y, and z axes of the implant;
positioning a first axis defining asymmetry of the implant in a known orientation relative to the patient's body to aid in marking, orientating, or identifying a specific anatomical orientation of the implant relative to the patient's body during a subsequent imaging procedure; and
suturing the implant to secure the implant in place within the cavity.