Biopsy instrument with handle and needle set

Claim 2

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub is C-shaped; and said second needle hub is C-shaped.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein: said first needle is a solid stylet; and said second needle is a hollow cannula.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 wherein: said first needle is a first hollow cannula; and said second needle is a second hollow cannula.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1 wherein: said first needle includes a groove adapted for collection a tissue sample; and said second needle is a cannula which is adapted for severing the collected tissue sample so that the tissue sample can be removed from a biopsy site.

Claim 6

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first body with a first arm and a second arm extending from said first body; said second needle has a second body with a third arm and a fourth arm extending from said second body; and wherein said third arm is positioned between said first arm and second arm.

Claim 7

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first body with a first arm and a second arm extending from said first body; said second needle has a second body with a third arm and a fourth arm extending from said second body; and wherein said third arm is positioned between said first arm and second arm.

Claim 8

The system of claim 5 wherein: said first needle is a stylet that is secured to said second arm and extends through the second needle which is a cannula; and said second needle is secured to said third arm and extends through a port in said first arm.

Claim 9

The system of claim 5 wherein: said second arm is position between said third arm and said fourth arm.

Claim 10

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; at least one of said first and said second needle hubs has a tab which can interlock with at least one of the other of said first needle hub and said second needle hub.

Claim 11

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; at least one of said first and said second needle hubs has a tab which can interlock with at least one of the other of said first needle hub and said second needle hub.

Claim 12

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first body with a first handle engaging port positioned transverse to said first body; and said second needle hub has a second body with a second handle engaging port positioned transverse to said second body.

Claim 13

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first body with a first handle engaging port positioned transverse to said first body; and said second needle hub has a second body with a second handle engaging port positioned transverse to said second body.

Claim 14

The system of claim 9 including: a first position wherein said first needle extends out from said second needle and a second position wherein said first needle is substantially withdrawn inside of said second needle; and wherein said first handle engaging port is along side of said second handle engaging port with the system in the second position.

Claim 15

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first long arm and a second short arm; said second needle hub has a third short arm and a fourth long arm; and said third short arm is disposed between the first long arm and the second short arm and the second short arm is disposed between the third short arm and the fourth long arm.

Claim 16

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first long arm and a second short arm; said second needle hub has a third short arm and a fourth long arm; and said third short arm is disposed between the first long arm and the second short arm and the second short arm is disposed between the third short arm and the fourth long arm.

Claim 17

The system of claim 11 wherein: said system has a first position with the third short arm positioned against the first long arm and the second short arm positioned against the fourth long arm, and a second position with the second short arm against the third short arm; and in the second position said first needle extends from said second needle.

Claim 18

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first elongated body; said second needle hub has a second elongated body; said first elongated body is substantially parallel to said second elongated body; said first needle hub has a first groove which extends along said first elongated body; said second needle hub has a second groove which extends along said second elongated body; and said first groove is substantially parallel to said second groove.

Claim 19

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first elongated body; said second needle hub has a second elongated body; said first elongated body is substantially parallel to said second elongated body; said first needle hub has a first groove which extends along said first elongated body; said second needle hub has a second groove which extends along said second elongated body; and said first groove is substantially parallel to said second groove.

Claim 20

The system of claim 13 wherein: said first groove is adapted to engage a handle which can operate said system; and said second groove is adapted to engage a handle which can operate said system.

Claim 21

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first handle engaging port; and said second needle hub has a second handle engaging port.

Claim 22

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first handle engaging port; and said second needle hub has a second handle engaging port.

Claim 23

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first plurality of handle engaging ports; and said second needle hub has a second plurality of handle engaging ports.

Claim 24

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; said first needle hub has a first plurality of handle engaging ports; and said second needle hub has a second plurality of handle engaging ports.

Claim 25

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; the system including a first needle system and a second needle system; each needle system including a first needle secured to a first needle hub and a second needle secured to a second needle hub; each of said first needle hubs including a first handle engaging port and each of said second needle hubs including a second handle engaging port; and the first and second handle engaging ports of said first needle set are located in different locations on the first and second needle hubs of said first needle system than are the first and second handle engaging ports of said second needle set.

Claim 26

A needle system comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first needle and the second needle movable relative to each other; and said first needle hub and said second needle hub interfere such that the movement of the first needle relative to the second needle is restricted in a forward and a reverse direction; the system including a first needle system and a second needle system; each needle system including a first needle secured to a first needle hub and a second needle secured to a second needle hub; each of said first needle hubs including a first handle engaging port and each of said second needle hubs including a second handle engaging port; and the first and second handle engaging ports of said first needle set are located in different locations on the first and second needle hubs of said first needle system than are the first and second handle engaging ports of said second needle set.

Claim 27

A needle system for collecting a tissue sample comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first and second needles movable relative to each other; said first needle hub having a first groove; said second needle hub having a second groove, wherein said first groove and said second groove are parallel to said first and said second needles; said first needle hub has a first handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles; and said second needle hub has a second handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles.

Claim 28

A needle system for collecting a tissue sample comprising: a first needle secured to a first needle hub; a second needle secured to a second needle hub; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first and second needles movable relative to each other; said first needle hub having a first groove; said second needle hub having a second groove, wherein said first groove and said second groove are parallel to said first and said second needles; said first needle hub has a first handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles; and said second needle hub has a second handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles.

Claim 29

The system of claim 18 wherein: said first and said second handle engaging ports are substantially perpendicular to said first and said second needles.

Claim 30

The system of claim 18 wherein: said first and said second needles are located between said first handle engaging port and said second handle engaging port.

Claim 31

The system of claim 18 wherein: said first needle hub is located along side of said second needle hub; and said first and said second needles are located for the most part between said first needle hub and said second needle.

Claim 32

The system of claim 18 wherein: said first needle and said second needle are located between said first groove and said second groove.

Claim 33

A needle set comprising; a first needle; a first hub means for transporting said first needle; a second needle; a second hub means for transporting said second needle; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first hub means and said second hub means allowing the first needle and the second needle to move relative to each other; said first hub means having first means for restricting the movement of the second hub means relative thereto; and said second hub means having second means for restricting the movement of the first hub means relative thereto.

Claim 34

A needle set comprising; a first needle; a first hub means for transporting said first needle; a second needle; a second hub means for transporting said second needle; said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first hub means and said second hub means allowing the first needle and the second needle to move relative to each other; said first hub means having first means for restricting the movement of the second hub means relative thereto; and said second hub means having second means for restricting the movement of the first hub means relative thereto.

Claim 35

A biopsy handle and biopsy needle set cartridge system comprising: said biopsy needle set cartridge having: a. a first needle secured to a first needle hub; b. a second needle secured to a second needle hub; c. said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first and second needle movable relative to each other; d. said first needle hub having a first groove; said second needle hub having a second groove, wherein said first groove and said second groove are parallel to said first and second needles; e. said first needle hub has a first biopsy handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles; and f. said second needle hub has a second biopsy handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles; said biopsy handle having; g. a first needle drive mechanism with a first drive pin; h. a second needle drive mechanism with a second drive pin; i. said first needle drive mechanism being shaped in order to receive said first groove of said biopsy needle set cartridge thereover; j. said second needle drive mechanism being shaped in order to receive said second groove of said biopsy needle set cartridge thereover; and k. with said first drive pin being received in said first biopsy handle engaging port and said second drive pin being received in said second biopsy handle engaging port.

Claim 36

A biopsy handle and biopsy needle set cartridge system comprising: said biopsy needle set cartridge having: a. a first needle secured to a first needle hub; b. a second needle secured to a second needle hub; c. said first needle positioned inside of said second needle with the first and second needle movable relative to each other; d. said first needle hub having a first groove; said second needle hub having a second groove, wherein said first groove and said second groove are parallel to said first and second needles; e. said first needle hub has a first biopsy handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles; and f. said second needle hub has a second biopsy handle engaging port which is skewed to said first and said second needles; said biopsy handle having; g. a first needle drive mechanism with a first drive pin; h. a second needle drive mechanism with a second drive pin; i. said first needle drive mechanism being shaped in order to receive said first groove of said biopsy needle set cartridge thereover; j. said second needle drive mechanism being shaped in order to receive said second groove of said biopsy needle set cartridge thereover; and k. with said first drive pin being received in said first biopsy handle engaging port and said second drive pin being received in said second biopsy handle engaging port.

Claim 37

The system of claim 24 wherein: said biopsy handle has a body with a front side; and said biopsy handle includes a port located substantially in the center of said front side, which port can receive said first and said second needles.

Claim 38

The system of claim 24 wherein: said biopsy handle has a lateral side that is substantially parallel to said first needle and said second needle; and a trigger slidably mounted in said lateral side, said trigger slidable in order to actuate said needle set.

Claim 39

A biopsy handle comprising: a first needle drive mechanism; a second needle drive mechanism which is substantially parallel to said first needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism is positioned along side of said second needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism and said second needle drive mechanism each have a cocked position and a released position; a first trigger mechanism; a second trigger mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism being held in said cocked position by said first trigger mechanism; said second needle drive mechanism begin held in said cocked position by said second trigger mechanism; said handle being adapted to receive a needle set; said second trigger is adapted to be operated by said needle set in order to release said second needle drive mechanism from the cocked position after the first trigger releases said first needle drive mechanism from the cocked position; a first drive pin extending from said first needle drive mechanism, which first drive pin is adapted for selectively positioning a first needle of a needle set; and a second drive pin extending from said second needle drive mechanism, which second drive pin is adapted for selectively positioning a second needle of a needle set.

Claim 40

A biopsy handle comprising: a first needle drive mechanism; a second needle drive mechanism which is substantially parallel to said first needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism is positioned along side of said second needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism and said second needle drive mechanism each have a cocked position and a released position; a first trigger mechanism; a second trigger mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism being held in said cocked position by said first trigger mechanism; said second needle drive mechanism begin held in said cocked position by said second trigger mechanism; said handle being adapted to receive a needle set; said second trigger is adapted to be operated by said needle set in order to release said second needle drive mechanism from the cocked position after the first trigger releases said first needle drive mechanism from the cocked position; a first drive pin extending from said first needle drive mechanism, which first drive pin is adapted for selectively positioning a first needle of a needle set; and a second drive pin extending from said second needle drive mechanism, which second drive pin is adapted for selectively positioning a second needle of a needle set.

Claim 41

A biopsy handle comprising: a first needle drive mechanism; a second needle drive mechanism which is substantially parallel to said first needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism is positioned along side of said second needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism and said second needle drive mechanism each have a cocked position and a released position; a first trigger mechanism; a second trigger mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism being held in said cocked position by said first trigger mechanism; said second needle drive mechanism begin held in said cocked position by said second said mechanism; said handle being adapted to receive a needle set; said second trigger is adapted to be operated by said needle set in order to release said second needle drive mechanism from the cocked position after the first trigger releases said first needle drive mechanism from the cocked position; a first knob for urging said first needle drive mechanism to the cocked position; and a second knob for urging said second needle drive mechanism to the cocked position.

Claim 42

A biopsy handle comprising: a first needle drive mechanism; a second needle drive mechanism which is substantially parallel to said first needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism is positioned along side of said second needle drive mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism and said second needle drive mechanism each have a cocked position and a released position; a first trigger mechanism; a second trigger mechanism; said first needle drive mechanism being held in said cocked position by said first trigger mechanism; said second needle drive mechanism begin held in said cocked position by said second said mechanism; said handle being adapted to receive a needle set; said second trigger is adapted to be operated by said needle set in order to release said second needle drive mechanism from the cocked position after the first trigger releases said first needle drive mechanism from the cocked position; a first knob for urging said first needle drive mechanism to the cocked position; and a second knob for urging said second needle drive mechanism to the cocked position.

Claim 43

A biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting a needle set with a first needle and a second needle; said housing having a first means adapted for driving the first needle of the needle set; said housing having a second means adapted for driving the second needle of said needle set after said first means drives said first needle, which second means is adapted to be actuated by the needle set after the first means drives the first needle of the needle set; and a first drive pin extending from said first driving means, which first drives pin is adapted for selectively positioning a first needle of a needle set, and second drive pin extending from said second driving means, which second drive pin is adapted for selectively positioning a second needle of a needle set.

Claim 44

A biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting a needle set with a first needle and a second needle; said housing having a first means adapted for driving the first needle of the needle set; said housing having a second means adapted for driving the second needle of said needle set after said first means drives said first needle, which second means is adapted to be actuated by the needle set after the first means drives the first needle of the needle set; and a first drive pin extending from said first driving means, which first drives pin is adapted for selectively positioning a first needle of a needle set, and second drive pin extending from said second driving means, which second drive pin is adapted for selectively positioning a second needle of a needle set.

Claim 45

A biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting a needle set with a first needle and a second needle; said housing having a first driver which has a first cocked position and which is adapted to drive the first needle; a first trigger that can hold said first driver in the first cocked position; said housing having a second driver which has a second cocked position and which is adapted to drive the second needle; a second trigger that can hold the second driver in the second cocked position; and wherein releasing the first trigger causes the first driver to drive the first needle which causes the needle set to release the second trigger in order to drive the second needle; said second trigger has a lever extending therefrom, which lever is adapted to be engaged by the needle set after the first driver drives the first needle in order to release said second trigger.

Claim 46

A biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting a needle set with a first needle and a second needle; said housing having a first driver which has a first cocked position and which is adapted to drive the first needle; a first trigger that can hold said first driver in the first cocked position; said housing having a second driver which has a second cocked position and which is adapted to drive the second needle; a second trigger that can hold the second driver in the second cocked position; and wherein releasing the first trigger causes the first driver to drive the first needle which causes the needle set to release the second trigger in order to drive the second needle; said second trigger has a lever extending therefrom, which lever is adapted to be engaged by the needle set after the first driver drives the first needle in order to release said second trigger.

Claim 47

A biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting a needle set with a first needle and a second needle; said housing having a first driver which has a first cocked position and which is adapted to drive the first needle; a first trigger that can hold said first driver in the first cocked position; said housing having a second driver which has a second cocked position and which is adapted to drive the second needle; a second trigger that can hold the second driver in the second cocked position; and wherein releasing the first trigger causes the first driver to drive the first needle which causes the needle set to release the second trigger in order to drive the second needle; said second driver is cylindrical in shape; and extending from said second trigger is a lever which wraps around the second driver and is accordingly adapted to be engaged by the needle set in order to release said second trigger.

Claim 48

A biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting a needle set with a first needle and a second needle; said housing having a first driver which has a first cocked position and which is adapted to drive the first needle; a first trigger that can hold said first driver in the first cocked position; said housing having a second driver which has a second cocked position and which is adapted to drive the second needle; a second trigger that can hold the second driver in the second cocked position; and wherein releasing the first trigger causes the first driver to drive the first needle which causes the needle set to release the second trigger in order to drive the second needle; said second driver is cylindrical in shape; and extending from said second trigger is a lever which wraps around the second driver and is accordingly adapted to be engaged by the needle set in order to release said second trigger.