Novel Coil Helps Surgeons Track Tumor Site

An implantable, bioabsorbable 3-D coil with minute surgical markers help physicians track a tumor site after lumpectomy.

The coil device was presented at the 2015 Miami Breast Cancer Conference (Miami Beach, FL, USA) by Dr. Steven Schonholz, of the Noble Hospital (Westfield, MA, USA). The device provides visual confirmation and image-based tracking of the tumor excision site for planning follow-up treatment and patient positioning. The device is compatible with all forms of radiation therapy.


Called BioZorb, the device by Focal Therapeutics (Aliso Viejo, CA, USA), contains six tiny titanium clips, distributed in a 3-D pattern inside the open-spiral coil. The body eventually reabsorbs the coil, leaving the titanium clips for long-term visualization of the surgery site, and enables the radiation oncologist to treat only the smallest possible target area with radiation therapy, resulting in less radiation damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The design allows for suture placement in and around the tumor excision site, and enables oncoplastic closure of the site for partial breast reconstruction.

Dr. Schonholz, said, “This unique device does a better job of helping us protect healthy tissue around the surgical site during radiation therapy. It can also provide our patients with a more satisfying cosmetic result after treatment.”

Related Links:
Noble Hospital
Focal Therapeutics