Biodegradable soft tissue biopsy clips have been developed as implants with the potential to serve as visual markers for regions suspected to contain tumor growth in the breast. These clips are multidimensional tissue markers with better biocompatibility and imaging features. The clips were prepared using biodegradable polymers, poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) and methoxy polyethylene glycol-co-l-lactide, that contain iodixanol or barium sulfate as contrast agents; they are further coated with hyaluronic acid or sodium alginate hydrogels. The clips were visible by imaging modalities such as mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging after implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats. The clips stayed intact in the implantation cavity of the animal for more than 3 months with unpretentious changes in their lengths and morphology. The histopathological examination of implanted clips revealed no signs of systemic toxicity in the rats. Overall, the interpretation of the results reveals that the developed clips can be a potential replacement for metal-based markers.
Keywords: biodegradable polymer clips; breast tumors; contrast agents; imaging techniques; in vivo visibility.