# US 2016/0250018 A1 · Method for utilizing an implant in a body of a patient > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0250018 A1 - Document ID: US20160250018A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/151,026 - Filed: 2016-05-10 - Published: 2016-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 1997-10-10 - Assignees: SenoRx, Inc. - Applicants: SenoRx, Inc. - Inventors: John Corbitt; Lori Anthony - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160250018A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/12: Mammary prostheses - A61B 90/39: {Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers} - A61N 5/10: X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy (A61N5/01 takes precedence) - A61N 5/1049: {for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam} - A61B 2090/3908: {Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue} - A61B 2090/3966: {Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image} - A61F 2250/0098: radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers - A61N 2005/1061: {using an x-ray imaging system having a separate imaging source} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A novel method for utilizing an implant in a body of a patient includes placing within a cavity in the body of the patient an implant constructed of biocompatible and biodegradable material configured to support the tissue surrounding the cavity, the implant having radio-opaque properties; and directing a radiation beam to the implant. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-30. (canceled) ### Claim 31 A method for utilizing an implant in a body of a patient, comprising: placing within a cavity in the body of the patient an implant constructed of biocompatible and biodegradable material configured to support the tissue surrounding the cavity, the implant having radio-opaque properties; and directing a radiation beam to the implant. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31, wherein the implant serves as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the cavity. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein the act of directing comprises initiating targeting of a radiation beam for delivery of radiation therapy at least one day after placement of the implant in the cavity. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein the act of directing occurs 90 to 120 days subsequent to placement of the implant in the cavity. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31, further comprising aspirating air from the cavity at any time after placement of the implant in the cavity. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31, wherein the implant is constructed of a porous material. ### Claim 37 A method for utilizing an implant in a body of a patient, comprising: providing an implant having a radio-opaque marker contained within the implant; placing the implant within a cavity in the body of the patient to support tissue surrounding the cavity; and directing a radiation beam to the implant, the radio-opaque marker within the implant serving as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the cavity. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the radio-opaque marker is centrally located within the implant. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the act of directing occurs 90 to 120 days subsequent to placement of the implant in the cavity. ### Claim 40 A method for utilizing an implant in a body of a patient, comprising: forming a cavity within the body at a site where potentially cancerous tissue has been removed, the cavity having surrounding tissue; forming an implant of a biocompatible and biodegradable material that is elastically compressible; sizing the implant to occupy the cavity; and implanting within the cavity the implant to support the tissue surrounding the cavity, the act of implanting including initially compressing the implant. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The method of claim 40, further comprising directing a radiation beam to the implant for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the cavity. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41, wherein the act of directing comprises initiating targeting of a radiation beam for delivery of radiation therapy at least one day after placement of the implant in the cavity. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41, wherein the act of directing occurs 90 to 120 days subsequent to placement of the implant in the cavity.