FIDUCIAL DEPLOYMENT NEEDLE SYSTEM

摘要

Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system. A fiducial may include dimples to enhance echogenicity and/or to provide for engagement with a delivery cannula or stylet. The needle system may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time, when the fiducials are coaxially disposed around a central deployment member that may be embodied as a delivery cannula or stylet. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. An elongate structure may be included that is configured to distally advance fiducials along the deployment member.

主权项

1. A fiducial deployment needle system comprising:
an outer sheath having a longitudinal outer sheath lumen; an elongate fiducial-carrying member disposed coaxially through the outer sheath lumen; a plurality of fiducials disposed along a distal portion of the fiducial-carrying member, where each of the fiducials includes a central aperture frictionally engaged around and thereby retained upon the fiducial-carrying member; and a movable structure configured to advance the fiducials distally relative to the fiducial-carrying member; wherein the fiducial-carrying member is configured as an elongate stylet, and the movable structure is configured as a pusher sheath disposed coaxially around the stylet, wherein the pusher sheath includes an inner diameter that is no greater than an outer diameter of a proximal-most fiducial of the plurality of fiducials; and wherein the plurality of fiducials comprises dimpled fiducials disposed slidably on a distal portion of the stylet, where the central aperture of each of the fiducials frictionally but slidably and releasably engages an external surface of the stylet such that the fiducials are deployable in a controlled one at a time manner, wherein a distalmost fiducial is releasable while controlledly retaining a next-distalmost fiducial.