Skip to main content
mayologo1
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19
    Posted By
    James Bisanti MD

    James Bisanti, M.D.

    Radiology and Imaging

    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Thursday, October 13, 2022

    Chip technology marks the spot for breast biopsies

    Topics in this Post
    • Breast Cancer
    Laughing with hands together

    Radio frequency identification, also called RFID, is a technology that uses wireless radio waves to transfer data and identify objects. It’s used in many ways, from inventory tracking and race timing to dairy herd management and car rental returns. Now this technology is used to guide surgeons during breast biopsies.

    A biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of tissue for laboratory testing. A breast biopsy may be needed to evaluate a suspicious area in the breast.

    For years, radiologists used wire guide localization to mark the exact spot or spots for the biopsy. They used ultrasound or other images to identify a breast lesion and placed a thin wire into the breast tissue to mark the location. The wire would remain in place and stick out of the breast until the surgeon removed it during the biopsy.

    Thanks to RFID technology, breast lesions now can be marked for surgical removal without using traditional surgical wires.

    The technology is advanced, but the process is simple. First, the biopsy site is numbed using a local anesthetic. Then, a radiologist uses ultrasound or other imaging to identify the breast lesions that need to be removed. Next, the small RFID tag is placed on the lesion using a needle. Each tag is about 2 millimeters by 1 centimeter in size — about the size of a staple. Multiple lesions can be identified as needed using multiple tags with unique codes. During the biopsy, the surgeon uses a handheld device to identify the exact location of each unique RFID tag.

    Benefits of the wire-free guidance system include:

    • More comfortable experience for patients
      Previously, patients needed to be careful not to bump or move the wire prior to their biopsies. In addition to being uncomfortable, the view of wires hanging out of the breast was distressing for some patients. With the new process, the patient cannot see or feel the tags after placement. and they can move freely without fear of shifting the tags.
    • Easier scheduling
      RFID tags can be placed up to one week prior to surgery. This gives patients and their health care teams more flexibility with scheduling. Previously, wire placement and surgery were required to be scheduled on the same day.
    • Greater surgical precision
      Surgeons no longer need to work around wires while performing a biopsy. This means the area sampled is more accurate and, occasionally, accessed with less trauma to adjacent tissues. This results in less pain, lower rate of infection and a quicker recovery.   

    Talk with your health care team to find out if wire-free guidance is right for your breast biopsy. Their goal is to answer your questions and ease any anxiety during this stressful time.

    James Bisanti, M.D., is a radiologist in Albert Lea and Austin, Minnesota.


    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • Breast Cancer

    Related Posts

    Mature person wearing a denim shirt sitting on a leather chair Preparing for your breast biopsy
    Hand writing in a notebook with a pen The importance of a cancer survivorship care plan
    Diane Gerhardt Compassionate care, strong support system help woman through cancer journey

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2023 Mayo Clinic Health System