US5249583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic biopsy instrument with wiperless position sensors
Assignee: Cook Urological Inc
•
Filing: 1992-11-09
•
Granted: 1993-10-05
•
Expires: 2012-11-09
Abstract
Abstract An instrument for removing tissue samples from a tissue mass which automatically penetrates, severs, and removes a tissue portion for examination. The instrument is motor powered, preferably by self-contained rechargeable batteries, and employs electrically actuated stops to control the action of penetration into and retraction from the tissue mass. The tissue penetrating means and severing means includes an inner stylet which penetrates the tissue mass and a hollow outer tube or cannula which surrounds the stylet and serves to sever a sample of tissue. In a preferred form the tissue penetrating end of the stylet is notched so that when the stylet penetrates the tissue mass, a portion of the tissue relaxes in the notched area. After tissue penetration by the stylet, the cannula, having a cutting surface at its distal end, penetrates the tissue and cuts off the tissue portion residing in the notched area of the stylet. The tissue penetrating and severing means are operably connected to a motor powered rotary cam assembly by means of cam followers and the rotary motion of the cam is converted to sequential, linear motion in the tissue penetrating means and severing means. The angular position of a cam is monitored with a pair of optoelectronic sensors, thereby providing position feedback without mechanical wear on the position sensor assembly. Improved action is provided by a cam having an S-curve profile.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Mallaby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0266; A61B10/0275; A61B2010/0208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula, and means for producing reciprocating motion of said stylet and cannula; position sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means; wherein said position sensing means includes first means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising first and second wiperless sensors, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula, and means for producing reciprocating motion of said stylet and cannula; position sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means; wherein said position sensing means includes first means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising first and second wiperless sensors, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said position sensing means includes an optoelectronic sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
215 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula, and means for producing reciprocating motion of said stylet and cannula; position sensing means including an optoelectronic sensor for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means; wherein said position sensing means includes first means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising first and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
215 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula, and means for producing reciprocating motion of said stylet and cannula; position sensing means including an optoelectronic sensor for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means; wherein said position sensing means includes first means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising first and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 3, wherein said actuator means includes an electric motor, a drive shaft, and a rotary cam coupled to said drive shaft for translating rotary motion to linear motion, and wherein said position sensing means is responsive to the angular position of said rotary cam, said first and second means for detecting including stationary first and second optoisolators, respectively, and a common slotted disc rotatably coupled to said drive shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 4, wherein said cam has an S-curve profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula; position sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means; wherein said actuator means includes an electric motor, a drive shaft, and a rotary cam coupled to said drive shaft for translating rotary motion to linear motion, and wherein said position sensing means includes first and second means for sensing the angular position of said rotary cam, said first and second means including first and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively, first and second, respectively, and a common slotted disc rotatably coupled to said drive shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula; position sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means; wherein said actuator means includes an electric motor, a drive shaft, and a rotary cam coupled to said drive shaft for translating rotary motion to linear motion, and wherein said position sensing means includes first and second means for sensing the angular position of said rotary cam, said first and second means including first and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively, first and second, respectively, and a common slotted disc rotatably coupled to said drive shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 6, wherein said cam has an S-curve profile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
247 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula, and means for producing reciprocating motion of said stylet and cannula; position, sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position, whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means, wherein said electronic control means includes means for limiting extension of said stylet and cannula by said actuator means to a single forward motion and single rearward motion per actuation of said switch means; and wherein said position sensing means includes first sensor means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising first and second wiperless sensors, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
247 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula, and means for producing reciprocating motion of said stylet and cannula; position, sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position, whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means, wherein said electronic control means includes means for limiting extension of said stylet and cannula by said actuator means to a single forward motion and single rearward motion per actuation of said switch means; and wherein said position sensing means includes first sensor means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising first and second wiperless sensors, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 8, wherein said position sensing means includes an optoelectronic sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
239 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula; position sensing means including an optoelectronic sensor for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means, wherein said electronic control means includes means for limiting extension of said stylet and cannula by said actuator means to a single forward motion and single rearward motion per actuation of said switch means; and wherein said position sensing means includes first means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising forst and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
239 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula; position sensing means including an optoelectronic sensor for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means, said control means including means responsive to said position sensing means for stopping the motion of said stylet and cannula when said cannula reaches a predefined extended position whereby said cannula and stylet are both extended, when said cannula reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula is retracted and said stylet is extended, and when said stylet reaches a predefined retracted position whereby said cannula and said stylet are both retracted; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means, wherein said electronic control means includes means for limiting extension of said stylet and cannula by said actuator means to a single forward motion and single rearward motion per actuation of said switch means; and wherein said position sensing means includes first means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined extended position and when said stylet reaches said predefined retracted position, and second means for detecting when said cannula reaches said predefined retracted position, said first and second means for detecting comprising forst and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 10, wherein said actuator means includes an electric motor, a drive shaft, and a rotary cam coupled to said drive shaft for translating rotary motion to linear motion, and wherein said position sensing is responsive to the angular position of said rotary cam, said first and second means for detecting including stationary first and second optoisolators, respectively, and a common slotted disc coupled to said drive shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 11, wherein said cam has an S-curve profile.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
181 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula; position sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means, wherein said electronic control means includes means for limiting extension of said stylet and cannula by said actuator means to a single forward motion and single rearward motion per actuation of said switch means; wherein said actuator means includes an electric motor, a drive shaft, and a rotary cam coupled to said drive shaft for translating rotary motion to linear motion, and wherein said position sensing means includes first and second means for sensing the angular position of said rotary cam said first and second means including first and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively, first and second, respectively, and a common slotted disc coupled to said drive shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
181 words
An electronic biopsy instrument, comprising: a cannula; a stylet slidably mounted in said cannula; electromechanical actuator means for producing sequential linear motion of said stylet and cannula, said actuator means including means for extending said stylet and thereafter extending said cannula; position sensing means for sensing the position of said cannula; electronic control means connected to said position sensing means for controlling said actuator means; and switch means for actuating said electronic control means, wherein said electronic control means includes means for limiting extension of said stylet and cannula by said actuator means to a single forward motion and single rearward motion per actuation of said switch means; wherein said actuator means includes an electric motor, a drive shaft, and a rotary cam coupled to said drive shaft for translating rotary motion to linear motion, and wherein said position sensing means includes first and second means for sensing the angular position of said rotary cam said first and second means including first and second optoelectronic sensors, respectively, first and second, respectively, and a common slotted disc coupled to said drive shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic biopsy instrument of claim 13, wherein said cam has an S-curve profile.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
BE494028A
Cited
US3561429A
Cited
US4020555A
Cited
US4243048A
Cited
US4461305A
Cited
US4605011A
Cited
US4589414A
Cited
US4600014A
Cited
EP0198926A1
Cited
US4667684A
Cited
US4651752A
Cited
US4702260A
Cited
US4699154A
Cited
US4732096A
Cited
US5050405A
Cited
US5146921A
Cited
US4989614A
Cited
US4974535A
Cited
EP0365377A1
Cited
US4982739A
Cited
US5048538A
Cited
US4940061A
Cited
US5171255A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-04-05 | 1997-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-04 | 2001-04-05 | 2001-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-04-05 | 2005-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |