Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a biopsy needle comprising (1) a tubular elongated body, (2) a plunger, slidably and rotatably arranged within the body, said plunger being pointed at one end and having a tissue-removing edge directed backwardly from the pointed end and (3) means for selectively engaging the plunger and body together while permitting limited rotational and translational movement of the plunger in prescribed directions with respect to the body, the improvement comprising a mechanical spring interposed between the plunger and body for applying a biasing force to the engaging means, thereby to maintain the plunger and body in their relative positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a biopsy needle comprising (1) a tubular elongated body, (2) a plunger, slidably and rotatably arranged within the body, said plunger being pointed at one end and having a tissue-removing edge directed backwardly from the pointed end and (3) means for selectively engaging the plunger and body together while permitting limited rotational and translational movement of the plunger in prescribed directions with respect to the body, the improvement comprising a mechanical spring interposed between the plunger and body for applying a biasing force to the engaging means, thereby to maintain the plunger and body in their relative positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 1, wherein the tissue-removing edge is formed on a flap supported by the body and movable between a retracted position in which the tissue-removing edge lies within the lateral confines of the body and an extended position in which the tissue-removing edge lies beyond the lateral confines of the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 2, wherein the flap is curved in the form of a scoop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 2, wherein the proximal end of the needle, remote from the pointed end, is formed as a handle supporting operating means coupled to the flap for moving the flap from the retracted position to the extended position and vice versa.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 4, wherein the handle is tubular; wherein the engaging means includes a slot in the handle having two axially disposed portions circumferentially spaced and connected at their distal ends by a circumferential portion, one of the axially disposed slot portions being open at its proximal end; and wherein the plunger includes a pin which engages the slot, the position of the pin on the plunger and the positions of the various portions of the slot with respect to the tubular body being such that when the pin on the plunger is engaged with the open ended axial portion of the slot the flap is circumferentially displaced from the aperture in the tubular body and when the pin is engaged with the other axial portion of the slot the flap is in line with the aperture in the tubular body and is movable into register with the aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 5, wherein a notch is provided in the circumferential portion of the slot to serve as a detent for the pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 2, wherein the wall of the body is formed with an aperture with which the flap may be brought into register by an appropriate sliding movement of the plunger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 7, wherein the flap is spring-urged to swing outwardly from the plunger, the tissue-removing edge being at the end of the flap remote from the pivot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 7, wherein the flap is made of spring material, is formed at one end with the tissue-removing edge and is attached at the other end to the plunger, the flap being shaped to tend to spring outwardly from the plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A biopsy needle according to claim 1, wherein the tissue-removing edge is formed with serrations.