Sentinel node location and biopsy

摘要

A method and apparatus for locating and accessing a patient's sentinel lymph nodes which are associated with a lesion site of the patient. A radiopharmaceutical is injected at or near a lesion site within a patient's body. The migration of the radiopharmaceutical and accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical in a sentinel node of the patient is monitored with a gamma camera or radiation energy detector from outside the patient's body. The sentinel node can then be accessed with a cannula having an RF energy electrode on the distal end of the cannula which is activated during insertion of the cannula. Once the distal end of the cannula is positioned adjacent the sentinel node, a radiation energy detector can be inserted through the cannula to verify the proximity of the distal end of the cannula to the sentinel node. Once the precise position of the sentinel node is verified, the radiation energy detector is withdrawn from the cannula and an anchor device inserted through the cannula and the distal end of the anchor device then positioned in the sentinel node. The distal end of the anchor device is then secured to the sentinel node and used as a locator for subsequent procedures which may include surgical or other noninvasive removal of the sentinel lymph node.