Patent · US Expired

Biopsy needle orientation fixture

US6050954A · kind A · utility

52Cited by
13References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 21, 1998
Grant dateApr 18, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 21, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B90/17
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a biopsy needle orientation fixture for use in association with diagnostic mammography equipment, and in particular, a horizontal stereotactic mammography x-ray machine having a radiation source. The biopsy needle orientation fixture comprises a substantially L-shaped frame having both horizontal and vertical members. The horizontal and vertical members are joined at one end, while the second end of the horizontal member houses a vertical needle guide, and the second end of the vertical member houses a horizontal needle guide. The horizontal and vertical needle guides allow a biopsy procedure to be performed accurately along both vertical and horizontal needle pathways. The fixture further comprises a means for mounting the substantially L-shaped frame to the stereotactic mammography x-ray machine, and a displacement from alignment with the horizontal needle path in the horizontal member. This displacement from alignment allows radiation to image and identify the horizontal needle position both before and after a breast lesion is biopsied.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.