Transport System for Biopsy Device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016256138-A1
Application number	US-201615159129-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 19, 2016
Priority date	Jul 9, 2004
Publication date	Sep 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of operating a biopsy device includes providing a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis; moving a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle from a retracted position to an extended position to expose a cavity in the sample-receiving device, the cavity configured to receive a tissue sample; displacing the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received by the cavity of the sample-receiving device; moving a toothed flexible member along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle; and receiving the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member in a helical coiling-up groove of a housing element when the sample-receiving device is moved to the retracted position.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A method of operating a biopsy device for removing at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the biopsy device comprising:
providing a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end; moving a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle from a retracted position to an extended position to expose a cavity in the sample-receiving device, the cavity configured to receive a tissue sample; displacing the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received by the cavity of the sample-receiving device; moving a toothed flexible member along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle; and receiving the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member in a helical coiling-up groove of a housing element when the sample-receiving device is moved to the retracted position.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the helical coiling-up groove is defined by a wall element configured to form a spiral, the wall element being arranged such that contact between successive coiled-up portions of the toothed flexible member is prevented.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the toothed flexible member flexes away from the longitudinal axis of the hollow needle to coil in the helical coiling-up groove of the housing element.

24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein in the extended position, the sample-receiving device projects from the distal end of the needle, the distal end of the hollow needle being defined by a circumferential cutting edge, and in the retracted position the sample-receiving device is accommodated in the hollow needle.

25 . A method for using a biopsy device for removing at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the method comprising:
providing a disposable biopsy unit configured for releasable attachment to a handle unit, the handle unit having a power source and a motor, wherein the disposable unit is attached to the handle unit, the disposable biopsy unit having a hollow needle, a sample-receiving device, a transport device, and a housing element,
the hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end,
the sample-receiving device being received in the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device having a cavity for receiving a tissue sample,
the transport device configured for drivable coupling to the motor of the handle unit, the transport device including a drive gear and a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with the drive gear, the toothed flexible member having a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device and having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle,
the housing element having a helical coiling-up groove;
moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from a retracted position to an extended position to expose the cavity to receive a tissue sample; moving toothed flexible member along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position; and receiving the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member in the helical coiling-up groove of the housing element as the sample-receiving device is moved to the retracted position.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the helical coiling-up groove is defined by a wall element configured to form a spiral, the wall element being arranged such that contact between successive coiled-up portions of the toothed flexible member is prevented.

27 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the toothed flexible member flexes away from the longitudinal axis of the hollow needle to coil in the helical coiling-up groove of the housing element.

28 . The method of claim 25 , comprising:
positioning the sample-receiving device in the extended position to project the cavity from the distal end of the needle; and positioning the sample-receiving device in the retracted position to withdraw the sample-receiving device into the hollow needle, wherein the sample-receiving device has a length that is shorter than a length of the hollow needle.

29 . A method of sampling tissue comprising:
providing a device that includes a handle unit comprising a power source and a motor, and a disposable unit including a hollow needle, a sample-receiving device having a cavity, a drive mechanism, a transport device; a sample flushing chamber, and a sample container; and operating the device by process steps including:
inserting the hollow needle into a patient;
receiving tissue into a cavity in the sample-receiving device disposed in the hollow needle;
severing the tissue by using a single-shot mechanism to distally displace the hollow needle with respect to the sample receiving device;
retracting the sample-receiving device, wherein retracting includes operating the transport device, the transport device having a drive gear engaged with a toothed flexible member and wherein the toothed flexible member is coupled to the sample-receiving device, the toothed flexible member is configured to move along the longitudinal axis to align the cavity with a sample flushing chamber;
ejecting the tissue into the sample container by starting fluid flow through the sample flushing chamber;
ending fluid flow; and
extending the sample-receiving device.

30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the step of inserting the hollow needle comprises activating a double-shot mechanism.

31 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the step of receiving tissue comprises activating a vacuum pump to draw tissue into the cavity.

32 . The method of claim 29 , wherein a control system controls one or more of the process steps.

33 . The method of 32 , wherein the control system comprises a microprocessor programmed to execute one or more process steps in a predefined cycle.

34 . The method of 33 , wherein the predefined cycle repeats one or more process steps.

35 . The method of 29 , wherein the sample container comprises multiple receptacles and the step of ejecting the tissue for one cycle deposits a first tissue sample into a first receptacle and the step of ejecting the tissue for a later cycle deposits a second tissue sample into a different receptacle.

36 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the sample-receiving device is shorter than the hollow needle.

37 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the disposable unit is releasably secured to the handle unit.

38 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the disposable unit has a housing element having a helical coiling-up groove for accommodating the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted as the toothed flexible member is moved along the longitudinal axis.

39 . A method of sampling tissue, comprising:
providing a device comprising a handle unit comprising a power source and a motor; providing a disposable unit releasably coupled to the device, the disposable unit including:
a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;
a sample-receiving device disposed in the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device configured to move in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the sample-receiving device has a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample;
a drive me

Assignees

• Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc

Inventors

• Videbaek Karsten
• Jorgensen Martin B
• Danborg Lasse
• Staal Lasse G

Classifications

• A61B10/0266

  means for severing sample · CPC title

• A61B10/0283

  with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B2217/002

  Auxiliary appliance · CPC title

• A61B2010/0208

  Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms · CPC title

• A61B10/0275 Primary

  with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet · CPC title