Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods

Abstract

A method for mapping a lymphatic system following a cavity generating procedure, may include a step of providing a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant, the implant including a collagenous matrix having a non-uniform cross-linking density that is configured to cause the implant to swell non-uniformly when placed within an aqueous environment, the implant including a dye or a pigment contained therein. The provided post-biopsy cavity treatment implant may then be implanted into the cavity and the cavity closed. The dye/pigment may then be caused to be released from the implant and to propagate through the lymphatic system. The propagated dye/pigment may then be visualized in the lymphatic system using a selected visualization mode.

1 . A method for mapping a lymphatic system following a cavity generating procedure, comprising: 
 providing a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant, the implant including a collagenous matrix having a non-uniform cross-linking density that is configured to cause the implant to swell non-uniformly when placed within an aqueous environment, the implant including a dye or a pigment contained therein;    implanting the provided post-biopsy cavity treatment implant into the cavity;    closing the cavity with the post-biopsy cavity treatment implant implanted therein;    causing the dye/pigment to be released from the implant and to propagate through the lymphatic system, and    visualizing the propagated dye/pigment in the lymphatic system using a selected visualization mode.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implant in the providing step includes a reservoir disposed within the collagenous matrix, the reservoir containing a volume of the dye/pigment and wherein the causing step includes a step of rupturing the reservoir to release the dye/pigment.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the rupturing step includes a step of squeezing the implanted post-biopsy cavity treatment implant.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the causing step includes a step of waiting for a predetermined period of time during which the implant degrades within the cavity and releases the dye/pigment.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of dye and pigment is loaded within the collagenous matrix of the implant.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein visualizing mode in the visualizing step includes at least one of ultrasound, x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, elastography, microwave and the unaided eye.