Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery which comprises (a) providing a thin flexible sheet material sufficiently compliant to conform to a body surface being evaluated and having an adhesive backing for uniform securing to said body surface and a plurality of grid lines and indicia thereon of a material opaque to detectable electromagnetic radiation and to visible light, (b) adhering said sheet uniformly to a body surface having a pronounced bulge to cover the entire surface, and (c) examining said body surface by detectable electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, to produce images which localize a body mass in different planes by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery which comprises (a) providing a thin flexible sheet material sufficiently compliant to conform to a body surface being evaluated and having an adhesive backing for uniform securing to said body surface and a plurality of grid lines and indicia thereon of a material opaque to detectable electromagnetic radiation and to visible light, (b) adhering said sheet uniformly to a body surface having a pronounced bulge to cover the entire surface, and (c) examining said body surface by detectable electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, to produce images which localize a body mass in different planes by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 in which biopsy or biopsy surgery is carried out subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the step of obtaining a mammogram subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides, and applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides, and applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion, and performing biopsy or biopsy surgery subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and inserting said stylet through said body surface covered with said grid sheet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the pictures produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and inserting said stylet through said body surface covered with said grid sheet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the pictures produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet, and performing biopsy or biopsy surgery subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
185 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides, applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion, providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and inserting said stylet through perforations in said box-like apparatus said body surface covered with said grid sheet to visually locate the position of said stylet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, produces pictures which localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet, and performing biopsy or biopsy surgery subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 8 including the steps of providing a biopsy needle and inserting it through one of said stylet perforations to place the needle accurately in relation to the body surface being examined.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
A method of localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 1 including the steps of providing a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides, applying said box-like apparatus over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion, providing a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle, and inserting said stylet through perforations in said box-like apparatus said body surface covered with said grid sheet to visually locate the position of said stylet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, produces pictures which localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet, and obtaining a mammogram subsequent to said body surface examination with reference to the position coordinates obtained.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery which comprises a thin flexible sheet material sufficiently compliant to conform to a body surface being evaluated and having an adhesive backing for uniform securing to said body surface and a plurality of grid lines and indicia thereon of a material opaque to detectable electromagnetic energy and to visible light, said sheet material being adherable uniformly to a body surface having a pronounced bulge to cover the entire surface for examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the pictures produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery which comprises a thin flexible sheet material sufficiently compliant to conform to a body surface being evaluated and having an adhesive backing for uniform securing to said body surface and a plurality of grid lines and indicia thereon of a material opaque to detectable electromagnetic energy and to visible light, said sheet material being adherable uniformly to a body surface having a pronounced bulge to cover the entire surface for examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the pictures produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 11 additionally including a box-like apparatus with walls on four sides of durable material transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, and openings on two opposing sides, and perforated by holes on all walled sides applyable over said grid sheet to hold the same in position against motion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 11 additionally including a linear hollow stylet of material opaque to electromagnetic radiation and visible to light, having calibrating markings throughout the entire length, and perforated laterally to permit passage of a biopsy needle for insertion through a body surface covered with said grid sheet, whereby the examination of said body surface by electromagnetic radiation in at least two different planes, whereby the images produced localize a body mass by position coordinates by reference to said grid lines in different planes and in reference to said stylet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus for use in localizing body masses and controlling biopsy or biopsy surgery according to claim 13 additionally including a biopsy needle insertable through one of said stylet perforations to place the needle accurately in relation to the body surface being examined.