Automatic biopsy device for use in an MRT

Claim 1

1 . An automatic biopsy device for the removal of a soft tissue sample from a living organism, comprising: a) a housing b) a biopsy needle with a needle support structure axially movably supported in said housing and including at one side thereof near its tip a recess for receiving tissue, c) a canula extending around said needle over part of its length with a canula support structure being axially movably supported in said housing, d) a first spring force storage structure arranged in said housing and operatively connected to said needle for biasing said needle toward an extended position, e) first releasable locking means for locking said needle in a retracted position against the force of said first spring force storage structure, f) a second spring force storage structure arranged in said housing and operatively connected to said canula for biasing said canula toward an extended position, g) second releasable locking means for locking said canula in a retracted position against the force of said second spring force storage structure, h) means for manually releasing said first locking means to permit said needle to be rapidly propelled by said first spring force storage structure, i) means on said needle support structure for releasing said second releasable locking means when said needle reaches an extended end position so as to permit said canula to be rapidly propelled by said second spring force storage structure while moving over said needle and sever and retain any tissue contained in said recess of said needle, said biopsy needle and said canula consisting of a non-magnetic and electrically non-conductive material for use of said device in connection with a magnetic resonance tomograph (MRT) and also said spring force storage structures consisting of a non-magnetic and electrically non-conductive material.