US5649547A — Methods and devices for automated biopsy and coll…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 175 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn; and a rotatable retaining fixture for rotatably attaching said tubular piercing member and said housing whereby said tubular piercing member may be selectively rotated relative to the housing to dispose said laterally positioned tissue receiving port to any desired angular orientation.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 175 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn; and a rotatable retaining fixture for rotatably attaching said tubular piercing member and said housing whereby said tubular piercing member may be selectively rotated relative to the housing to dispose said laterally positioned tissue receiving port to any desired angular orientation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said knock-out pin has an effective diameter of at least 0.030 inches.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said knock-out pin has an effective diameter of approximately 0.045 inches.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the effective diameter of said knock-out pin to the internal diameter of said cannular cutter is at least approximately one-half.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 91 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said tubular piercing member comprises an elongate outer piercing needle and said cannular cutting member comprises an elongate inner cannula disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongate outer piercing needle, said elongate inner cannula having a sharpened distal end for cutting a portion of tissue protruding into said elongate outer piercing needle tissue receiving port when said elongate inner cannula slides past said port, thereby depositing the portion of cut tissue within said elongate inner cannula proximal to said sharpened distal end.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said needle assembly further comprises a non-rotatable beating sleeve disposed about said cutting member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 219 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member including an elongate outer piercing needle having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber, wherein said tubular piercing member is rotatably attached to said housing and held in an axially fixed position within a tissue mass; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member, the cannular cutting member comprising an elongate inner cannula disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongate outer piercing needle; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn wherein said needle assembly further comprises a tissue cassette housing, said housing including means interconnecting said tissue cassette housing and the hollow outer piercing needle to permit rotation of said outer needle without rotating said tissue cassette housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 219 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member including an elongate outer piercing needle having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber, wherein said tubular piercing member is rotatably attached to said housing and held in an axially fixed position within a tissue mass; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member, the cannular cutting member comprising an elongate inner cannula disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongate outer piercing needle; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn wherein said needle assembly further comprises a tissue cassette housing, said housing including means interconnecting said tissue cassette housing and the hollow outer piercing needle to permit rotation of said outer needle without rotating said tissue cassette housing.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 15 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 7, wherein said interconnecting means comprises a thumbwheel.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 7, wherein said tissue cassette housing is fabricated molded plastic.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 9, wherein said plastic is transparent, in order to permit viewing of tissue samples contained therein.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 201 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member including an elongate outer piercing needle having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber, wherein said tubular piercing member is rotatably attached to said housing and held in an axially fixed position within a tissue mass; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member; a vacuum lumen disposed beneath said outer piercing needle and at least one fluid communication port between said vacuum lumen and said tissue sample chamber for communicating a vacuum pressure from said vacuum lumen to said tissue sample chamber; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 201 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member including an elongate outer piercing needle having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber, wherein said tubular piercing member is rotatably attached to said housing and held in an axially fixed position within a tissue mass; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member; a vacuum lumen disposed beneath said outer piercing needle and at least one fluid communication port between said vacuum lumen and said tissue sample chamber for communicating a vacuum pressure from said vacuum lumen to said tissue sample chamber; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 36 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one fluid communication port comprises a plurality of holes of substantially equal size, all of which are disposed directly beneath said tissue receiving port.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 70 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one fluid communication port comprises a first relatively small hole disposed directly beneath said tissue receiving port and a second relatively large hole disposed distally of said tissue receiving port so that it is shielded by an overhang comprising a portion of the outer cylindrical wall of the hollow outer piercing needle distally of the tissue receiving port.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 10, said needle assembly having a transverse axis and said at least one fluid communication port comprising a plurality of slots oriented at an angle α with respect to said transverse axis.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 29 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 13, wherein the transverse edges of said tissue receiving port are oriented at said angle α with respect to said transverse axis.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 19 words

A biopsy instruement as recited in claim 14, wherein said angle α is within a range of 15-75 degrees.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 74 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein said inner cannula may be advanced distally a sufficient distance to completely close off said tissue receiving port, said at least one fluid communication port comprising a port disposed distally of the distal end of the inner cannula when the inner cannula is in its fully advanced position, said port being adapted for use in flushing the needle assembly of excess material using pressurized fluid.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 202 words

A method of flushing debris from a biopsy instrument comprising an elongate outer piercing needle having a laterally positioned tissue receiving port which opens into a tissue sample chamber in a lumen of the outer piercing needle, and an elongate inner curing cannula having an axial lumen, a sharpened distal end and being disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongate outer piercing needle, said inner cannula being capable of advancement distally to a position wherein the tissue receiving port is completely closed off, said needle assembly comprising a vacuum lumen disposed beneath said tissue receiving port and further comprising at least one fluid communication port disposed distally of the distal end of the elongate inner cannula when the inner cannula is in its fully advanced position, said method comprising the steps of: a) advancing the inner cannula so that it extends distally sufficiently to completely close off the tissue receiving port; and b) injecting a pressurized fluid through one of said inner cannula and said vacuum lumens, so that the fluid flows through the fluid communication port and into the other one of said two lumens, from which the fluid returns to its source, thereby flushing accumulated debris from the biopsy instrument.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 202 words

A method of flushing debris from a biopsy instrument comprising an elongate outer piercing needle having a laterally positioned tissue receiving port which opens into a tissue sample chamber in a lumen of the outer piercing needle, and an elongate inner curing cannula having an axial lumen, a sharpened distal end and being disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongate outer piercing needle, said inner cannula being capable of advancement distally to a position wherein the tissue receiving port is completely closed off, said needle assembly comprising a vacuum lumen disposed beneath said tissue receiving port and further comprising at least one fluid communication port disposed distally of the distal end of the elongate inner cannula when the inner cannula is in its fully advanced position, said method comprising the steps of: a) advancing the inner cannula so that it extends distally sufficiently to completely close off the tissue receiving port; and b) injecting a pressurized fluid through one of said inner cannula and said vacuum lumens, so that the fluid flows through the fluid communication port and into the other one of said two lumens, from which the fluid returns to its source, thereby flushing accumulated debris from the biopsy instrument.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 179 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber, wherein said tubular piercing member is rotatably attached to said housing and held in an axially fixed position within a tissue mass in a patient's body; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn; said tissue sample being removable from the cutting member without withdrawing the tubular piercing member from said tissue mass.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 179 words

A biopsy instrument comprising: a housing; and a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising: a tubular piercing member having a distal pointed end, and a laterally positioned tissue receiving port proximate to said distal pointed end which opens into a tissue sample chamber, wherein said tubular piercing member is rotatably attached to said housing and held in an axially fixed position within a tissue mass in a patient's body; a cannular cutting member adapted to coact with said tubular piercing member to cut a tissue sample from the tissue mass such that the tissue sample can be transported to a proximate end of said tubular piercing member by the cutting member as it is withdrawn proximally along said tubular piercing member; and an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially within said tubular piercing member and said cannular cutting member and being adapted to dislodge said tissue sample from the cutting member at a predetermined location as the cutting member is withdrawn; said tissue sample being removable from the cutting member without withdrawing the tubular piercing member from said tissue mass.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 19, wherein said knock-out pin has an effective diameter of at least 0.030 inches.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 19, wherein said knock-out pin has an effective diameter of approximately 0.045 inches.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 32 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 19, wherein the ratio of the effective diameter of said knock-out pin to the internal diameter of said cannular cutter is at least approximately one-half.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 91 words

A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 19, wherein said tubular piercing member comprises an elongate outer piercing needle and said cannular cutting member comprises an elongate inner cannula disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongate outer piercing needle, said elongate inner cannula having a sharpened distal end for cutting a portion of tissue protruding into said elongate outer piercing needle tissue receiving port when said elongate inner cannula slides past said port, thereby depositing the portion of cut tissue within said elongate inner cannula proximal to said sharpened distal end.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-07-21	2001-01-20	2001-07-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-07-21	2005-01-20	2005-07-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-07-21	2009-01-20	2009-07-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Methods and devices for automated biopsy and collection of soft tissue

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