Surgical site marker delivery system

Abstract

A site marker delivery system is provided that may be used in combination with a tissue cutting device for marking a biopsy site. The system includes a tube attached to a hub. A push-rod is slidably disposed within the lumen of the tube. The push-rod is advanced forward through the lumen of the tube causing a marker seated within the tube to be deployed at a biopsy site.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . A marker delivery system comprising: 
 a hub having a proximal end and a distal end and a channel extending between said ends;    a tube having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said tube being attachable to said hub, said tube having an aperture in communication with said lumen;    a tube guide operatively connected to said tube, said tube guide having proximal and distal ends and a channel extending between said ends; and    a push-rod dimensioned to slidably pass through said channels of said hub and tube guide, and said lumen of said tube to said distal end of said tube, said push-rod being selectively operable to advance a marker seated in said lumen of said tube out of said lumen through said aperture.    
     
     
         33 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32 , wherein said tube guide may be selectively attachable to a non-working end of a tissue cutting device.  
     
     
         34 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  wherein said tube guide further comprises concentrically arranged inner and outer sleeve portions, said inner sleeve portion being formed with said channel extending between said ends.  
     
     
         35 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  wherein said tube guide further comprises at least one attachment pin disposed on an exterior wall thereof, said attachment pin being constructed for engaging a complementary mounting groove formed on the non-working end of the tissue cutting device, said channel of said tube guide being in alignment with said channel of the tissue cutting device after engagement.  
     
     
         36 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  wherein said proximal end of said tube guide is funnel shaped.  
     
     
         37 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  wherein said tube guide further comprises an air venting aperture, said air venting aperture having a inner diameter less than an inner diameter of said channel thereof.  
     
     
         38 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32 , wherein said tube guide further includes at least one seal disposed on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         39 . The marker delivery system of  claim 38  wherein said tube guide further comprises a first fluid sealing ring disposed on said exterior wall adjacent said distal end and a second fluid sealing ring disposed within said channel adjacent said distal end.  
     
     
         40 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  wherein said hub further comprises a tactile indicator proximate said proximal end, said tactile indicator being indicative of a circumferential orientation of said aperture.  
     
     
         41 . The marker delivery system of  claim 40  wherein said tactile indicator further comprises a marking that is visible in low light conditions.  
     
     
         42 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  further comprising a deployment trigger attachable to said proximal end of said hub, said push-rod being attachable to said deployment trigger, said deployment trigger being operable to advance said push-rod toward said distal end of said tube when being attached to said hub.  
     
     
         43 . The marker delivery system of  claim 42  wherein said deployment trigger comprises a push-plate having opposing surfaces and at least one retaining arm extending substantially perpendicularly from a first surface thereof, said retaining arm being operable to engage a complementary retaining rim disposed proximate said proximal end of said hub to lock said push-rod in place.  
     
     
         44 . The marker delivery system of  claim 42  wherein said deployment trigger includes a spring between said proximal end of said hub and said deployment trigger, said spring concentrically surrounding a proximal end of said push rod.  
     
     
         45 . The marker delivery system of  claim 44  wherein said spring comprises a first end that frictionally engages a central portion of said deployment trigger and a second end that frictionally engages said proximal end of said hub, said spring adapted to maintain longitudinal alignment between said deployment trigger and said proximal end of said hub.  
     
     
         46 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  wherein said tube further comprises an inclined wall proximate a distal end of said aperture.  
     
     
         47 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32 , wherein said tube further comprises a retention tab that is selectively movable from a first position whereby said retention tab prevents a marker from traveling through said tube, to a second position whereby said retention tab is positioned upwardly from said first position to allow a marker to travel through said tube.  
     
     
         48 . The marker delivery system of  claim 32  wherein said tube is substantially rigid.