Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A needle assembly for front loading to a biopsy sampling system, comprising: an outer needle structure further comprising, a first sleeve member for slideably receiving a shaped member of an inner needle structure, the first sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first sleeve member having a connector for connecting the first sleeve to the biopsy sampling system, the first end of the first sleeve member forming the proximal end of the outer needle structure, a second sleeve member for slideably receiving an elongated needle of an inner needle structure, with the second sleeve member having a proximal end connected to that the second end of the first sleeve member and a distal end of the second sleeve member forming a distal end of the outer needle structure; and the inner needle structure further comprising, a shaped member with a connection structure formed therein, the shaped member forming a proximal end of the inner needle structure, with the shaped member being capable of being located in at least a first position near the first end of the first sleeve member and a second position closer to the second end of the first sleeve member, an elongated needle having a proximal end extending from a second end of the shaped member, the elongated needle having at least one tissue receiving member disposed near a distal end, the distal end of the elongated needle forming the distal end of the inner needle structure, with the distal end and tissue receiving member of the elongated needle extending from the distal end of the second sleeve member when the shaped member is in at least the second position and the distal end and tissue receiving member of the elongated needle being retracted within the second sleeve member when the shaped member is in at least the first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A needle assembly for front loading to a biopsy sampling system, comprising: an outer needle structure further comprising, a first sleeve member for slideably receiving a shaped member of an inner needle structure, the first sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first sleeve member having a connector for connecting the first sleeve to the biopsy sampling system, the first end of the first sleeve member forming the proximal end of the outer needle structure, a second sleeve member for slideably receiving an elongated needle of an inner needle structure, with the second sleeve member having a proximal end connected to that the second end of the first sleeve member and a distal end of the second sleeve member forming a distal end of the outer needle structure; and the inner needle structure further comprising, a shaped member with a connection structure formed therein, the shaped member forming a proximal end of the inner needle structure, with the shaped member being capable of being located in at least a first position near the first end of the first sleeve member and a second position closer to the second end of the first sleeve member, an elongated needle having a proximal end extending from a second end of the shaped member, the elongated needle having at least one tissue receiving member disposed near a distal end, the distal end of the elongated needle forming the distal end of the inner needle structure, with the distal end and tissue receiving member of the elongated needle extending from the distal end of the second sleeve member when the shaped member is in at least the second position and the distal end and tissue receiving member of the elongated needle being retracted within the second sleeve member when the shaped member is in at least the first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first sleeve member is hollow with the first end open and the second end closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein second sleeve member is hollow and the distal end is beveled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein outside cross-sectional dimensions of the shaped member are less than inside cross-sectional dimensions of the first sleeve member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein outside cross-sectional dimensions of the elongated needle is less than inside cross-sectional dimensions of the second sleeve member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The needle assembly as recite d in claim 1, wherein the elongated needle has a plurality of tissue receiving members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongated needle is beveled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the distal end of the elongated needle is beveled at an angle substantially the same as the angle of bevel at the distal end of the second sleeve member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector of the first sleeve member detachably connects the first sleeve member to a first structure of the biopsy sampling system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The needle assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the connection structure of the shaped member detachably connects the shaped member to a second structure of the biopsy sampling system for moving the shaped member to at least the first and second positions.