# US 5,706,812 A · Stereotactic MRI breast biopsy coil and method for use

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- Number: US 5,706,812 A
- Document ID: US5706812A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/562,564
- Filed: 1995-11-24
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1995-11-24
- Assignees: Diagnostic Instruments, Inc.
- Inventors: Susan A. Strenk; Lawrence M. Strenk; Reuben S. Mezrich
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706812A

## CPC

- G01R 33/285: {Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR}
- A61B 90/11: with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
- A61B 90/17: for soft tissue, e.g. breast-holding devices
- A61B 2017/00557: {inflatable (A61B2017/22051 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/3405: {using mechanical guide means}
- A61B 2090/374: {NMR or MRI}
- A61B 2090/3954: {magnetic, e.g. NMR or MRI}
- G01R 33/34061: {Helmholtz coils}
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An MRI breast coil is provided with a large transverse access portal and a stereotactic frame for guiding a biopsy needle. The portal is covered by thin sheath of plastic to retain the breast but still allow insertion of the needle to any location. The frame aligns the needle by azimuth, height and depth.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An MRI coil for providing an image of a protuberance of tissue, said coil comprising:
a tubular wall having a longitudinal proximal portion adapted to receive said protuberance and a longitudinal distal portion, said wall including a transverse access portal between said distal and proximal portions, said portal eliminating a substantial portion of said wall;
a puncturable sheath closing said portal, said sheath being readily replaceable;
a first coil portion about said distal portion; and
a second coil portion about said proximal portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A coil according to claim 1, further comprising a fiducial reference providing a correspondence between said image and the interior of said tubular wall.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A coil according to claim 1, further comprising a bladder inside said wall, said bladder being inflatable to urge said protuberance toward said portal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A coil according to claim 1, further comprising a member constrained to move azimuthally about an axis extending longitudinally within said wall; and a needle guide connected to said member, said guide including a plurality of guide bores for locating a needle in a plurality of longitudinal positions between said proximal and distal portions.

### Claim 5

(amended) A stereotactic frame for orienting a needle, said frame comprising:
a base;
a member constrained to move azimuthally about an axis extending transversely from said base;
a needle guide connected to said member for locating said needle in a plurality of positions spaced away from said base;
a tubular wall having a longitudinal proximal portion adapted to receive said protuberance and a longitudinal distal portion, said wall being attached to said base and including a transverse access portal between said distal and proximal portions; and
a puncturable sheath closing said portal, said sheath being readily replaceable.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A frame according to claim 5, further comprising a fiducial reference providing a correspondence between an MRI image and said frame.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A frame according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of needle guides, each needle guide having a different size of guide bores and being interchangeably connectable to said member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

A frame according to claim 5, further comprising a bladder inside said wall, said bladder being inflatable to urge said protuberance toward said portal.

### Claim 9

A frame for immobilizing a protuberance of tissue, said frame comprising:
at least one wall having a longitudinal proximal portion closest to said protuberance and a longitudinal distal portion, said wall including a transverse access portal between said distal and proximal portions, said portal eliminating a substantial portion of said wall; and
a puncturable sheath closing said portal, said sheath being readily replaceable.

### Claim 10

A frame for immobilizing a protuberance of tissue, said frame comprising:
a wall having a longitudinal proximal portion adapted to receive and engirdle said protuberance and a longitudinal distal portion, said wall including a transverse access portal between said distal and proximal portions, said portal eliminating a substantial portion of said wall; and
a puncturable sheath closing said portal, said sheath being readily replaceable.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A frame according to claim 10, further comprising a bladder inside said wall, said bladder being inflatable to urge said protuberance toward said portal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

A frame according to claim 10, further comprising a fiducial reference providing a correspondence between an MRI image and the interior of said wall.

### Claim 13

An MRI coil for providing an image of a protuberance of tissue, said coil comprising:
a tubular wall having a longitudinal proximal portion adapted to receive said protuberance and a longitudinal distal portion, said wall including a transverse access portal between said distal and proximal portions, said portal eliminating a substantial portion of said wall;
a first coil portion about said distal portion;
a second coil portion about said proximal portion;
a fiducial reference providing a correspondence between said image and the interior of said tubular wall;
a puncturable sheath closing said portal, said sheath being readily replaceable;
a bladder inside said wall, said bladder being inflatable to urge said protuberance toward said portal;
a member constrained to move azimuthally about an axis extending longitudinally within said wall; and
a needle guide connected to said member, said guide including a plurality of guide bores for locating a needle in a plurality of longitudinal positions between said proximal and distal portions.

### Claim 14

A method for maneuvering a needle to a location indicated in an MRI image of a protuberance of tissue, said method comprising:
providing an MRI coil for providing said image;
providing a stereotactic frame, said frame including:
a tubular wall having a longitudinal proximal portion adapted to receive said protuberance and a longitudinal distal portion, said wall including a transverse access portal between said distal and proximal portions, said portal eliminating a substantial portion of said wall;
a fiducial reference providing a correspondence between said image and the interior of said tubular wall;
a puncturable sheath closing said portal, said sheath being readily replaceable;
a member constrained to move azimuthally about an axis extending longitudinally within said wall; and
a needle guide connected to said member, said guide including a plurality of guide bores for locating a needle in a plurality of longitudinal positions between said proximal and distal portions;
inserting said protuberance into said proximal portion;
imaging said protuberance and said fiducial reference;
determining the correspondence between said location and the interior of said tubular wall;
moving said needle guide to an azimuth intersecting said location;
placing said needle into a guide bore intersecting said location; and
inserting said needle through said sheath to a depth intersecting said location.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

A method according to claim 14, further comprising:
further including in said frame a bladder inside said wall and;
inflating said bladder to urge said protuberance toward said portal.