When a suspicious lesion is detected in a woman's breast after e.g.mammography, this irregularity is recommended to be examined in order to determine whether the tissue contains benign or malignant cells.

In the past the complete suspicious tissue was removed in the operating room to achieve a 100% accurate diagnosis. With latest state-of-the-art technology, the Mammotome® Vacuum Biopsy System, this diagnosis can also be done under local anesthesia. A 3mm probe is inserted under stereotactic or ultrasound guidance through a tiny skin nick in the patient's breast. Entire clusters of calcifications can be thoroughly sampled.

This sutureless, minimally invasive incision minimizes the possibility of scarring or breast disfigurement and ensures a patient-friendly procedure with 100% accuracy*. The Mammotome® System is highly efficient in acquiring directional, multiple tissue samples through a single insertion due to its patented technology which utilizes vacuum assistance and a high-speed rotating cutter.

The advanced probe of the Mammotome® System offers the versatility to deliver various agents for patient management. A radiographic MicroMark Clip can also be deployed directly to the biopsy site without removing the probe to mark the area which has been biopsied to facilitate follow-up of the patient.  Biopsys is a division of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a US-based operating company of Johnson & Johnson, the world's largest and most comprehensive manufacturer of health care products. Ethicon Endo-Surgery is the world leader for single patient use surgical instruments for videoscopic procedures.

Biopsys is the manufacturer of the Mammotome® Vacuum Biopsy System.

* S.H. Heywang-Koebrunner et al.: Minimally invasive stereotaxic vacuum core
biopsy. European Radiology 8, 377-385 (1998)

The Mammotome® Vacuum Biopsy System - Driver with Probe

The Mammotome® System in use on the Mammotest stereotactic table
by Fischer Imaging

The Mammotome® System for use with ultrasound guidance

Biopsys
Ethicon Endo-Surgery (Europe) GmbH
Hummelsbuetteler Steindamm 71
D-22851 Norderstedt
Germany