Tissue Probe Detects Breast Cancer Lesion Margins

An innovative device assists surgeons performing breast lumpectomies to confirm the removal of the entire tumor.

The MarginProbe System uses electromagnetic "signatures" to identify healthy and cancerous breast tissue, taking advantage of the fact that cancerous tissue--while often similar in form to the healthy counterpart that it evolved from--has a greater density of vasculature. This difference can be identified by transmitted electrical pulses through the tissue and measurement of the returning electromagnetic response of the tissue, which is attenuated in distinct ways by tumors. With an indication of cancerous cells at the margins, the surgeon can then excise additional tissue during the surgical procedure, saving time and, potentially, a second procedure.


The head of the disposable probe unit houses the proprietary Fringe Field Sensor (FFS), which runs a series of measurements on each margin, collecting data for the entire specimen. The external console unit houses proprietary software that captures the signal and compares it to an internal database, reporting results on the high-resolution display. The display lists each reading sequentially, which allows for grouping measurements from the same margin, allowing the surgeon to track progress and identify problem areas. The MarginProbe System is a product of Dune Medical Devices (Caesarea, Israel), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“The MarginProbe System was developed to address one of the longest standing unmet medical needs in the breast cancer surgical community,” said Daniel Levangie, CEO of Dune Medical Devices. “We have received resounding support from clinicians, advocacy organizations and patients alike, who have recognized the value of MarginProbe and intraoperative, real-time detection of cancer on the margin to potentially improve patient outcomes.”

Breast lumpectomy is a common surgical procedure designed to remove a discrete lump, usually a benign tumor or breast cancer, from an affected breast. As the tissue removed is generally quite limited and the procedure relatively noninvasive, compared to a mastectomy, a lumpectomy is considered a viable means of breast conservation surgery with all the attendant physical and emotional advantages of such an approach. Lumpectomy may be performed for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), for invasive ductal carcinoma, or for other conditions.

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