Methods and devices for removing tissue from a patient and placing a marker in the patient

Abstract

The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue, which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker, which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A device for removing tissue from a patient and marking tissue which remains within the body, comprising:
 a body;   a tubular element extending from the body, the tubular element having an opening, wherein tissue is received within the opening; and   
       a tissue marking element coupled to the tubular element, the tissue marking element including a container having an outlet, the container containing a flowable substance, the tissue marking element, the tissue marking element being movable within the tubular element from a stored position to a working position, the tissue marking element being closer to the opening when in the working position than in the stored position. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the tissue marking element is configured to deposit the flowable substance into the tissue to mark the tissue.   
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the tissue marking element moves distally within the lumen when moving from the stored position to the working position, the outlet of the tissue marking element being positioned distal to the opening in the tubular element when in the working position and proximal to the opening when in the stored position.   
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 an introducer movable from a first position to a second position, the introducer covering the opening when in the first position and being spaced apart from the opening when in the second position.   
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein:
 the tissue marking element is moved to the working position by the introducer.   
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein:
 the tissue marking element is formed by the introducer, the introducer having at least one channel in fluid communication with the outlet, the flowable substance being delivered through the channel and the outlet.   
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the tissue marking element has a plurality of outlets through which the flowable substance is delivered.   
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the tissue marking element having a needle, the outlet being formed in the needle, the outlet being moved to a position distal to the opening in the tubular element when the tissue marking element is in the working position.   
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 a marker storage area positioned outside the lumen, the tissue marking element being positioned in the marker storage area when in the stored position, the tissue marking element being moved inside the lumen and advanced distally through the lumen when moving to the working position.   
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the body includes a tissue storage area in which tissue removed from the patient through the opening in the tubular element is stored.   
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the tubular element is movable in a distal direction relative to the body, the tubular element moving distally so that tissue enters the tubular element through the opening.   
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 means for transporting a tissue mass proximally through the lumen in the tubular element, the tissue mass entering the tubular element through the opening and being separated from the surrounding tissue.   
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 a cutting element movable within the tubular element, the cutting element moving within the tubular element to sever tissue which has entered the tubular element through the opening.   
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 an introducer movable from a first position to a second position, the introducer covering the opening when in the first position and being spaced apart from the opening when in the second position;   the tissue marking element being positioned within the introducer.   
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 59 , wherein:
 the tissue marking element is movable within the introducer, the tissue marking element moving distally within the tissue marking element when moving from the stored position to the working position.   
     
     
         61 . A method of removing tissue from a patient and marking tissue which remains within the body, comprising the steps of:
 providing a tissue removing device having an opening and a tissue marking element, the tissue marking element including a container having an outlet, the container containing a flowable substance;   introducing the tissue removing device into a patient so that the opening is adjacent to a tissue area of interest in a patient;   passing a tissue mass through the opening and into the tissue removing device;   severing the tissue mass from surrounding tissue so that the tissue mass is at least partially contained in the tissue removing device; and   forcing the flowable substance through the outlet of the tissue marking element, the flowable substance being deposited in tissue thereby marking the tissue.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the tissue removing device including a tubular element, the tubular element having a lumen with the opening being at a distal end of the lumen; and   the passing step is carried out by advancing the tubular element in a distal direction so that the tissue mass enters the lumen through the opening.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the device having a plurality of outlets positioned on an external surface of the tubular element.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the tissue marking element having a plurality of outlets; and   the forcing step is carried out with the flowable substance being delivered through the plurality of outlets.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein:
 the forcing step is carried out with the flowable substance being delivered through the plurality of outlets to form a pattern.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein:
 the passing and severing steps are carried out a plurality of times to collect a plurality of tissue masses before the injecting step, the plurality of tissue masses being stored in the tissue removing device, the passing and severing steps being carried out without removing a distal end of the device from the tissue.   
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the tissue removing device including a tubular element having a lumen, the opening being at a distal end of the tubular element, the device also having a cutting element movable within the lumen; and   the severing step being carried out with the cutting element moving within the lumen to sever the tissue mass.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising the step of:
 transporting the tissue mass which has been separated from surrounding tissue during the severing step proximally through the lumen.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising the step of:
 transporting the tissue mass which has been separated from surrounding tissue during the severing step proximally through the lumen using a cutting element;   the severing step being carried out by severing the tissue with the cutting element.   
     
     
         70 - 75 . (canceled)