Method of utilizing an implant in a human breast

Abstract

A method for utilizing an implant in a breast cavity in a human breast, comprising forming a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being elastic, compressible, expandable, and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into the biodegradable material, the substantially radio-opaque implant being compressed during implantation in the breast cavity; and the substantially radio-opaque implant configured to expand in the breast cavity when implanted within the breast cavity for supporting the tissue surrounding the breast cavity.

1 . A method for utilizing an implant in a breast cavity in a human breast, comprising:
 forming a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being elastic, compressible, expandable, and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into the biodegradable material, the substantially radio-opaque implant being compressed during implantation in the breast cavity; and   the substantially radio-opaque implant configured to expand in the breast cavity when implanted within the breast cavity for supporting the tissue surrounding the breast cavity.   
     
     
         2 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially radio-opaque implant has a shape selected to guide delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , the substantially radio-opaque implant conforming to the shape of the breast cavity, and serving as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity, wherein a radiation beam directed to the substantially radio-opaque implant delivers radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity without materially irradiating the whole of the breast. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via a stereotactic radiation machine. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of multiple therapeutically effective dosages of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant in a single treatment. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of therapeutically effective dosages of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant multiple times in a single treatment. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via multidirectional radiation therapy. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via image guided radiation therapy. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via 3-D conformal radiation therapy. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the radiation therapy is delivery of a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to said breast tissue surrounding the substantially radio-opaque implant via intensity modulated radiation therapy. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32  comprising initiating targeting of the radiation beam for delivery of the radiation therapy 1 to 120 days subsequent to the placement of the substantially radio-opaque implant in the breast cavity. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising aspirating air from the breast cavity after implanting the substantially radio-opaque implant in the breast cavity. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially radio-opaque implant is constructed of a porous material. 
     
     
         43 . A method for using an implant following a biopsy procedure in which a biopsy cavity was formed in a human breast, comprising:
 providing a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biodegradable material configured to allow for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the of biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being elastic, compressible, and expandable; and   configuring the substantially radio-opaque implant to conform to the shape of the breast cavity when implanted within the breast cavity to support the tissue surrounding the breast cavity.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said substantially radio-opaque implant has a shape selected to guide the delivery of radiation therapy to the margins around the breast cavity. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , comprising:
 using the substantially radio-opaque implant within the breast cavity as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity during partial breast radiation therapy; and   directing a therapeutically effective dosage of radiation to the substantially radio-opaque implant target such that the whole of the breast is not materially irradiated.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising initiating a targeting of the delivery of the radiation therapy 1 to 120 days subsequent to the placement of the substantially radio-opaque implant in the breast cavity.