Sanarus introduces breast biopsy

Pleasanton, CA-based Sanarus Medical may soon bring to market an ultrasound-guided biopsy tool called Centrica. The product, described as a rotational core biopsy system, uses a new approach to breast tissue sampling that the company considers more cost-effective and less invasive than open, surgical biopsy options. The procedure creates a 3 to 4-mm incision in the breast and requires no general anesthesia or stitches. Under ultrasound visualization, a small needle is placed directly into the tissue. Once placement is confirmed via ultrasound, the immobilized lesion is “stick frozen” for a few seconds, which secures the targeted tissue and enables a large tissue sample to be removed for evaluation. Centrica, which has been cleared by the FDA, is the first in a series of ultrasound-guided technologies being developed by Sanarus.