Methods and apparatus for performing procedures on target locations in the body

Abstract

A method of performing a medical procedure on target tissue within the body includes immobilizing the target tissue with an immobilization device, positioning an insertion tool (e.g., a needle, a needle and marker wire, a needle gun, etc.) to be inserted into the target tissue on the immobilization device based on at least one reading of the target tissue, and inserting the insertion tool into the target tissue. An immobilization device for performing methods includes a frame assembly, a tissue immobilization assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the tissue immobilization assembly including a structure adapted to immobilize tissue, and a needle assembly releasably connectable to the frame assembly. The needle assembly includes a needle capable of being inserted into the immobilized tissue.

1 . A method of performing a medical procedure on target tissue within the body, the method comprising:
 immobilizing the target tissue with an immobilization device;   positioning an insertion tool to be inserted into the target tissue on the immobilization device based on at least one reading of the target tissue; and   inserting the insertion tool into the target tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising taking at least one reading of a location of target tissue, which comprises taking a first mammography reading. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein taking at least one reading of a location of target tissue comprises taking a second mammography reading. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising plotting the first and second mammography readings on an image grid, wherein a first distance from a known reference point on the immobilization device is determined from indicia on the image grid to position the needle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising correcting for at least one anomaly created by the first and second mammography readings. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the plotting of the first and second mammography readings on the image grid is generated by a PDA. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a medical procedure on the target tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein performing a medical procedure is selected from a group comprising one of the following:
 needle localization; needle aspiration;   vacuum-assisted biopsy;   virtual guided breast surgery;   open surgical biopsy; in-office biopsy;   sentinel node biopsy; and   imaging correlation and implantation.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the immobilization device is attached to a unit to perform the medical procedure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing a marker wire within the needle to mark the target tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the immobilization device to compress tissue surrounding the target tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing at least one diagnostic procedure to obtain the at least one reading of the target tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the immobilization device is attached to a mammography unit to take the at least one reading. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a length of a needle to be inserted into the target tissue. 
     
     
         15 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for performing a medical procedure on target tissue, the method comprising:
 immobilizing the target tissue;   performing a diagnostic procedure on the immobilized target tissue; and   performing a medical procedure on the immobilized target tissue.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein performing a medical procedure is selected from a group comprising one of the following:
 needle localization;   needle aspiration;   vacuum-assisted biopsy;   virtual guided breast surgery;   open surgical biopsy;   in-office biopsy;   sentinel node biopsy; and   therapeutic imaging correlation and implantation.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein immobilizing the target tissue comprises affixing an immobilization device to tissue surrounding the target tissue, and adjusting the immobilization device to compress the tissue surrounding the target tissue. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein performing a diagnostic procedure comprises performing a scan of the target tissue. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein performing a scan of the target tissue comprises taking at least one image of the target tissue. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising determining a position of the target tissue based the at least one image of the target tissue. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising calculating a location of the target tissue with respect to a known reference point. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising plotting the location on an image grid. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein performing a medical procedure comprises inserting a needle into the target tissue. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein inserting a needle into the target tissue comprises determining a needle entry direction, a needle entry location, and a depth of needle penetration. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising placing a marker wire within the target tissue. 
     
     
         39 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A method of performing a procedure on an area of interest in a breast, the method comprising steps of:
 placing an immobilization device on the breast;   taking a first image of the tissue in the immobilization device from a first direction;   taking a second image of the tissue in the immobilization device from a second direction at an angle different from the first direction; and   removing the immobilization device.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising a step of:
 performing a medical procedure on the breast, before the step of removing the immobilization device.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising a step of:
 compressing the tissue of the breast in the immobilization device.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising a step of attaching the immobilization device to an imaging unit.