Tissue site markers for in vivo imaging

Abstract

A tissue marker delivery device includes an elongated marker insertion tube having a closed distal end. The closed distal end has a plurality of connected slits that form a plurality of openable petals. A piston is slidably disposed within the elongated marker insertion tube. At least one tissue marker is slidably disposed within the elongated marker insertion tube at a location distal to the piston and proximal to the closed distal end of the elongated marker insertion tube.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A tissue marker delivery device, comprising:
 an elongated marker insertion tube having a closed distal end, the closed distal end having a plurality of connected slits that form a plurality of openable petals;   a piston slidably disposed within the elongated marker insertion tube; and   at least one tissue marker slidably disposed within the elongated marker insertion tube at a location distal to the piston and proximal to the closed distal end of the elongated marker insertion tube.   
     
     
         43 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the plurality of connected slits form an X-arrangement of slits. 
     
     
         44 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the plurality of openable petals consists of four petals. 
     
     
         45 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one tissue marker is a plurality of tissue markers slidably disposed within the elongated marker insertion tube, each tissue marker of the plurality of tissue markers having a region configured to reflect ultrasound during ultrasound imaging. 
     
     
         46 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one tissue marker includes a radiopaque element having an artificial shape which is the lower-case Greek letter Gamma. 
     
     
         47 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one tissue marker includes a radiopaque element having an artificial shape which is a coil. 
     
     
         48 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one tissue marker includes a body and a radiopaque element disposed about the body. 
     
     
         49 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one tissue marker includes a gel body. 
     
     
         50 . The tissue marker delivery device of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one tissue marker has a gel body and a radiopaque element disposed about the gel body.