746 results about "Mammary gland" patented technology

A biopsy device having an endoscope comprises a biopsy instrument, suitable for collecting at least one tissue sample from a body lumen, such as a mammary duct, and a cutter introducer sized for receiving the biopsy instrument and introducing the biopsy instrument into a mammary duct to retrieve a tissue sample therefrom.

A method for categorizing whole-breast density is disclosed. The method includes the steps of exposing breast tissue to an acoustic signal; measuring a distribution of an acoustic parameter by analyzing the acoustic signal; and obtaining a measure of whole-breast density from said measuring step. An apparatus is also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and detecting diseases associated with breast. The present invention provides one or more proteins or fragments thereof, peptides or nucleic acid molecules differentially expressed in breast diseases (BCAT) and antibodies binds to BCAT. The present invention provides that BCAT is used as targets for screening agents that modulates the BCAT activities. Further the present invention provides methods for treating diseases associated with breast.

Methods and compositions are provided for the identification of expression signatures in ER+ breast cancer cases, where the signatures correlate with responsiveness, or lack thereof, to tamoxifen treatment. The signature profiles are identified based upon sampling of reference breast tissue samples from independent cases of breast cancer and provide a reliable set of molecular criteria for predicting the efficacy of treating a subject with ER+ breast cancer with tamoxifen. Additional methods and compositions are provided for predicting tamoxifen responsiveness in cases of ER+ breast cancer by use of three biomarkers. Two biomarkers display increased expression correlated with tamoxifen response while the third biomarker displays decreased expression correlated with tamoxifen response.

Methods and related systems are described for detection of breast cancer in 3D ultrasound imaging data. Volumetric ultrasound images are obtained by an automated breast ultrasound scanning (ABUS) device. In ABUS images breast cancers appear as dark lesions. When viewed in transversal and sagittal planes, lesions and normal tissue appear similar as in traditional 2D ultrasound. However, architectural distortion and spiculation are frequently seen in the coronal views, and these are strong indicators of the presence of cancer. The described computerized detection (CAD) system combines a dark lesion detector operating in 3D with a detector for spiculation and architectural distortion operating on 2D coronal slices. In this way a sensitive detection method is obtained. Techniques are also described for correlating regions of interest in ultrasound images from different scans such in different scans of the same breast, scans of a patient's right versus left breast, and scans taken at different times. Techniques are also described for correlating regions of interest in ultrasound images and mammography images. Interactive user interfaces are also described for displaying CAD results and for displaying corresponding locations on different images.

The invention is directed toward a micro-endoscope assembly for the treatment of diseased tissue in breast ducts comprising a cylindrical guide tube with a distal end defining an internal cylindrical passageway, a first smaller cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in the cylindrical passageway of a smaller diameter than said tube internal cylindrical passageway to receive and guide an endoscope, the smaller cylindrical tube forming together with an inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide tube a second passageway. A light transmitting probe is mounted in the second passageway and is connected at the distal end of the guide tube with an energy transmitting device. The light probe is activated to generate light at a particular wavelength to cause the tissue to fluoresce and is again activated to generate light at a specific wavelength to necrose the diseased tissue.

A differential temperature sensor device is provided for detecting differential temperatures in a human breast. A pad having a contoured design is covered with an adhesive layer having differing release forces on its two sides to insure sustained contact between the breast and temperature sensors and to ease removal after use. Temperature sensors are arranged in a useful pattern and covered with a silicon lidding which is removed prior to use. The device is especially useful for the detection of breast cancer and breast disease.

The invention provides compositions and methods for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of conditions affecting breast tissue. The compositions can include one or more therapeutic agents or diagnostic agents, and an effective carrier. The composition can be specifically adapted for transdermal permeation through the mammary papilla, areola, or a combination thereof, and into underlying breast tissue.

New compositions are disclosed that comprise the phytochemical Diindolylmethane (DIM), as well as its precursor, Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and cogener, 2-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-3,3'diindolylmethane (LTR-1), acceptable carriers and/or excipients. These compositions are administered to prevent or reduce symptoms associated with mastalgia and endometriosis.

The present invention relates to devices and methods that enhance the accuracy of lesion excision, through severing, capturing and removal of a lesion within soft tissue. Furthermore, the present invention relates to devices and methods for the excision of breast tissue based on the internal anatomy of the breast gland. A tissue severing device generally comprises a guide having at least one lumen and a cutting tool contained within the lumen. The cutting tool is capable of extending from the lumen and forming an adjustable cutting loop. The cutting loop may be widened or narrowed and the angle between the loop extension axis and the guide axis may be varied. Optional tissue marker and tissue collector may additionally be provided. A method for excising a mass of tissue from a patient is also provided. The device and method are particularly useful for excising a lesion from a human breast, e.g., through the excision and removal of a part of a breast lobe, an entire breast lobe or a breast lobe plus surrounding adjacent tissue.

Methods and compositions for the identification of breast cancer progression signatures are provided. The signature profiles are identified based upon multiple sampling of reference breast tissue samples from independent cases of breast cancer and provide a reliable set of molecular criteria for identification of cells as being in one or more particular stages of breast cancer.

A dome for applying a vacuum to a patient's breast is comprised of a generally rigid dome capable of withstanding a pressure differential, with a rim and rim cushion underlying the rim of the dome for supporting a rim from the patient's skin surface. The rim may be generally wider than the dome in order to distribute the attendant forces across a greater surface and avoid tissue damage. A sticky sole underlies the rim cushion and seals the rim cushion to the patient's skin to thereby preserve the vacuum within the dome. The sticky sole may be comprised of any adhesive material or even be achieved through the use of an appropriate material for the rim cushion itself. A portable pump unit is connected to the domes and maintains the vacuum within the domes during a recommended protocol. By using the device in accordance with the prescribed protocol, the growth of cancer cells and tumors within the breasts are inhibited.

A system for treating breast tissue includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the distal end configured for insertion into a breast duct such that the lumen is in fluid communication with the breast duct, and a tissue diagnostic device disposed within the lumen. A system for treating breast tissue includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the distal end configured for insertion into a breast duct such that the lumen is in fluid communication with the breast duct, an imaging device for providing imaging functionality to the cannula, and an energy delivery device secured to, or slidably disposed within the lumen of, the cannula.

The present invention relates to a novel gene, Di12, that is differentially expressed as a 1.35 kb RNA in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, and in several normal tissues. The full length cDNA encodes a protein of 339 amino acids. Antibodies to the gene product were developed to investigate the expression of Di12 in breast cancer cell-lines and tumors. The Di12 protein was found in tissue sections of infiltrating ductal carcinomas (IDCs), but not in benign or normal breast specimens. Di12 wag also present in IDC-breast cancer patient sera, and its expression level increased markedly if IDC was accompanied by lymph node or distal metastases. As IDC constitutes ~70% of breast cancers seen clinically, the level of Di12 expression is useful for diseases diagnosis predicting disease progression and monitoring a therapeutic treatment.

This invention relates to human adipose tissue-derived multipotent adult stem cells. More particularly, the invention relates to human adipose tissue-derived multipotent stem cells, which can be maintained in an undifferentiated state for a long period of time by forming spheres and have high proliferation rates, as well as methods for isolating and maintaining the adult stem cells, and methods for differentiating the multipotent adult stem cells into nerve cells, fat cells, cartilage cells, osteogenic cells and insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells. Also, the invention relates to cellular therapeutic agents for treating osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes and for forming breast tissue, which contain the differentiated cells or the adult stem cells. Although the multipotent stem cells are adult stem cells, they have the ability to differentiate into osteogenic cells, nerve cells, astrocytes, fat cells, chrondrogenic cells or insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells, and so are effective in treating osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, nerve disease, diabetes, etc. Also, the stem cells form spheres in a serum-free medium containing CORM-2, and thus can be maintained in an undifferentiated state for a long period of time. Also, the stem cells have very high proliferation rates. Accordingly, the stem cells are useful as cellular therapeutic agents.