| With 212,000 new cases of breast cancer every year and 40,000 women dying of the disease annually, better techniques and technologies for the early detection and treatment of non-palpable abnormalities are imperative. Vacuum assisted breast biopsy systems are one such technology that addresses this issue. Vacuum assisted breast biopsy systems use the image-guided breast biopsy (IGBB) technique to obtain samples of the abnormality. The systems precisely map and define the breast lesion location, and then a needle introducer system allows for access to the biopsy site. A marker is then used to pinpoint or identify, localize, and confirm the target area. Finally the tissue is vacuumed into a reservoir.
Because survivability is largely increased by early detection, the accurate identification of abnormalities is cannot be overstressed. This is why breast biopsies are one of the most common diagnostic medical procedures performed, with as many as 1.5 million breast biopsies performed a year. Now, with the advances in vacuum assisted breast biopsy coupled with IGBB techniques, the early detection of abnormalities is easier than ever before.
Two popular systems on the market today are the Mammotome® Biopsy System from Ethicon and the ATEC® Breast Biopsy System from Suros Surgical Systems, Inc. Both the Mammotome and the ATEC are vacuum-assisted breast biopsy systems that use image-guided techniques. The ATEC, however, is the first and only commercially available vacuum assisted breast biopsy system that can be used in the same room as the MRI magnet.
The Mammotome Biopsy System from Ethicon is a comprehensive, minimally invasive breast biopsy procedure that can be used with prone or upright stereotactic guidance or with ultrasound guidance using a hand held device. The Mammotome enables thorough sampling and control with the SmartVac™ computer-controlled vacuum system. The SmartVac contains a high-speed, rotating cutter that gives the physician maximum control throughout the procedure. With the SmartVac, the physician can selectively sample the target area of a lesion by rotating the aperture in vivo. Imaged evidence of the abnormality is completely or partially removed for a thorough biopsy.
You can perform a Mammotome biopsy in an outpatient setting using local anesthetic. You only need insert the probe once into the patient's breast through a 1/4-inch incision, from which you can obtain large tissue samples in and around the targeted area. There is minimal procedure prep time and no need for sutures. Patients generally experience minimal discomfort or scarring and may return to normal activity immediately following the procedure.
The Mammotome ST (Stereotactic) and the Mammotome HH (Hand Held) use computer-generated images to locate breast abnormalities to accurately pinpoint and map the affected area. Additionally, with the Mammotome system you can deploy a radiographic MicroMark® II Tissue Marker directly to the site, providing a tool for use in the future to help identify where a biopsy was performed or where additional follow-up may be required. The Mammotome HH is available with a 14, 11, and 8-gauge probe—which removes three times the tissue per specimen, compared to the 11-gauge probe.
The ATEC® Breast Biopsy System from Suros Surgical Systems, Inc. is another vacuum assisted breast biopsy system. Like the Mammotome, the ATEC can be used with stereotactic or ultrasound guidance. However, the ATEC stands apart from the Mammotome in that it can also be used with MRI guidance.
MRI detects abnormalities or breast cancer at the earliest possible stage of development with a 70-90 percent accuracy rate, making it the most sensitive imaging modality available. MRI is often used when evaluating women placed in the high-risk category for developing breast disease or cancer, including women with previous cancer diagnosis or those with a family history of breast cancer.
The ATEC system is comprised of a console that connects to a disposable biopsy needle and single foot pedal that controls the hand-piece. Compression of the footplate allows for a single and continuous cycle of tissue collection. The ATEC is a closed system that can collect up to 16 core biopsies per minute. The core samples are automatically collected in a closed filter attached to the back of the hand-piece and can be easily removed for tissue retrieval. The ATEC is available in a 9 and 12 gauge needle. Both gauge needles are also available in long, and the 9 gauge is available in a petite size, which is designed specifically for women with thin breasts.
Both the Mammotome from Ethicon and the ATEC from Suros Surgical Systems are flexible, minimally invasive systems that assist surgeons in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Although the ATEC has the advantage of being compatible with MRI, as well as other advantages, both systems are improvements over surgery.
| 
