Echogenic Needles for Breast Lesion Localization

Echogenic needles are designed to be used with ultrasound for performing preoperative wire localization on nonpalpable breast lesions. The entire needle shaft can be seen under ultrasound when positioned at virtually any angle.

The needles are coated with Echo-Coat, which entraps bubbles of air in microcavities on the surface of thin, smooth, biocompatible, adherent polymeric film. This echogenic surface provides substantially increased acoustical scattering and, when applied to the entire length of the needle shaft, can provide a significantly brighter ultrasound image of the needle. The increased visualization can show the most direct path to the lesion, reducing procedure time and patient discomfort, says the developer, STS Biopolymers, Inc. (Henrietta, NY, USA; www.stsbiopolymers.com).

"The needle does clearly decrease the time needed to complete the procedure as it is obviously apparent on the ultrasound examination,” stated Dr. Richard DeJounett, of Koolau Radiology (Honolulu, HI, USA). "It also greatly facilitates accuracy as there is no question about the position of the needle itself.”




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STS Biopolymers