Automated biopsy needle handle

Claim 2

A biopsy handle capable of receiving a needle set assembly having a stylet adapted for piercing and storing a tissue sample and a cannula adapted for severing and trapping the tissue sample, the biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting the needle set; a first actuator slidably attached to the housing and adapted for selectively positioning the cannula relative to the housing; a second actuator slidably attached to the housing and adapted for selectively positioning the stylet relative to the housing; and said first actuator and said second actuator both including an element which is adapted to allow said first actuator and said second actuator to be slid in a forward and a reverse direction with respect to the housing in order to move the cannula and the stylet relative to the housing using a single digit of a single hand of a user.

Claim 3

The biopsy handle of claim 1 wherein: said first actuator and said second actuator each have a slidable base that is slidably attached to said housing; and said element of said first actuator and said element of said second actuator include a projection from said slidable base, which projection has first and second sides, which first and second sides are adapted to be urged by the single hand of the user, with urging on the first side for moving said second actuator forwardly and urging on the second side for moving said first actuator and said second actuator rearwardly.

Claim 4

The biopsy handle of claim 1 further including: a locking lid located on a bottom of said housing which can be moved from an open position in order to accept the needle set into said housing to a closed and locked position in order to lockingly contain the needle set in the housing.

Claim 5

The biopsy handle of claim 3 wherein: said locking lid is adapted for allowing single use of the housing.

Claim 6

The biopsy handle of claim 3 wherein: one of said lid and said housing includes at least one catch and the other of said lid and said housing includes at least one receptacle which receives said catch for looking the needle set in the housing.

Claim 7

The biopsy handle of claim 5 wherein: said catch is wedge shaped with a ramp and a back edge, and wherein said ramp allows said catch to be urged in to said receptacle and said back edge locks said catch in said receptacle.

Claim 8

The biopsy handle of claim 1 wherein the element is a protrusion adapted to be engaged by a single digit of a single hand of a user.

Claim 11

The method of claim 8, including the further step of: using a single digit of the same single hand in order to move the actuator in order to move the cannula relative to the stylet in order to have access to any tissue captured between the stylet and the cannula.

Claim 12

A biopsy handle capable of receiving a needle set assembly having a stylet adapted for piercing and storing a tissue sample and a cannula adapted for severing and trapping the tissue sample, the biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting the needle set; a first extension slidably attached to said housing adapted for urging the cannula rearward; a second extension slidably attached to said housing adapted for urging the stylet rearward; said second extension having an activating means for urging the stylet forward into a tissue sample and automatically actuating the cannula; and wherein said first extension and said second extension are located side by side and are slidable along parallel lines.

Claim 13

A biopsy handle capable of receiving a needle set assembly having a stylet adapted for piercing and storing a tissue sample and a cannula adapted for severing and trapping the tissue sample, the biopsy handle comprising: a housing adapted for accepting the needle set; a first extension slidably attached to said housing adapted for urging the cannula rearward; a second extension slidably attached to said housing adapted for urging the stylet rearward; said second extension having an activating means for urging the stylet forward into a tissue sample and automatically actuating the cannula; and wherein said first extension and said second extension are located side by side and are slidable along parallel lines.

Claim 14

The handle of claim 10, wherein: said handle is adapted for one hand operation.

Claim 15

The handle of claim 10, wherein: said first extension and said second extension have a portion extending therefrom which adapts the handle for one-hand operation.

Claim 16

The biopsy handle as recited in claim 10, wherein said housing includes a cannula coupling that couples said first extension to the cannula and a stylet coupling that couples said second extension to the stylet.

Claim 17

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the handle comprising: a housing; a first guide secured to said housing; a second guide secured to said housing; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; wherein said first actuator and said second actuator are located side by side and are slidable along parallel lines; a first pin associated with said first guide; a second pin associated with said second guide; said first pin adapted to engage a cannula of a needle set; said second pin adapted to engage a stylet of a needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position.

Claim 18

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the handle comprising: a housing; a first guide secured to said housing; a second guide secured to said housing; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; wherein said first actuator and said second actuator are located side by side and are slidable along parallel lines; a first pin associated with said first guide; a second pin associated with said second guide; said first pin adapted to engage a cannula of a needle set; said second pin adapted to engage a stylet of a needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position.

Claim 19

The handle of claim 14, further including: said second pin and said second pushing member operatively associated with said second actuator such that as said second actuator slides relative to said housing, said second pin and said second pushing member move relative to said housing and along said second guide in order to urge the stylet into a second operable position.

Claim 20

The handle of claim 15, further including: said housing having a third locking member; said second pin having a fourth locking member; and with the stylet in the second operable position such that said second pin is urged against said second spring, said third locking member engages said fourth locking member in order to lock said second pin in the second operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 21

The handle of claim 16 further including: a trip pin; said trip pin associated and movable with said second actuator; said trip pin being capable of contacting said third locking member in order to release said fourth locking member and thereby allow said second spring to move said second pin and thus the stylet relative to said housing.

Claim 22

The handle of claim 14, further including: said housing having a first locking member; said first pin having a second locking member; and with the cannula in the first operable position such that said first pin is urged against said first spring, said first locking member engages said second locking member in order to lock said first pin in the first operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 23

The handle of claim 18, further including: an actuating pin; said actuating pin associated and movable with said second actuator; said actuating pin being capable of contacting an actuating arm, said actuating arm also being capable of contacting said first locking member in order to release said second locking member and thereby allow said first spring to move said first pin and thus the cannula relative to said housing.

Claim 24

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet with a stylet base with a first aperture, and a cannula with a cannula base with a second aperture, with the stylet and cannula movable relative to each other as the stylet base and the cannula base move relative to each other, said biopsy handle comprising: a housing; a first guide rod secured to said housing and adapted to receive the stylet base adjacent thereto such that said stylet base can move along said first guide rod; a second guide rod secured to said housing and adapted to receive the cannula base adjacent thereto such that said cannula base can move along said second guide rod; said first guide rod and said second guide rod being substantially parallel to each other; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a first pin that is movable along said first guide rod; a second pin that is movable along said second guide rod; said first pin adapted to engage the first aperture of the stylet base of the needle set; said second pin adapted to engage the second aperture of the cannula base of the needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide rod and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide rod and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position.

Claim 25

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet with a stylet base with a first aperture, and a cannula with a cannula base with a second aperture, with the stylet and cannula movable relative to each other as the stylet base and the cannula base move relative to each other, said biopsy handle comprising: a housing; a first guide rod secured to said housing and adapted to receive the stylet base adjacent thereto such that said stylet base can move along said first guide rod; a second guide rod secured to said housing and adapted to receive the cannula base adjacent thereto such that said cannula base can move along said second guide rod; said first guide rod and said second guide rod being substantially parallel to each other; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a first pin that is movable along said first guide rod; a second pin that is movable along said second guide rod; said first pin adapted to engage the first aperture of the stylet base of the needle set; said second pin adapted to engage the second aperture of the cannula base of the needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide rod and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide rod and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position.

Claim 26

The handle of claim 20, further including: said second pin and said second pushing member operatively associated with said second actuator such that as said second actuator slides relative to said housing, said second pin and said second pushing member move relative to said housing and along said second guide in order to urge the stylet into a second operable position.

Claim 27

The handle of claim 21, further including: said housing having a third locking member; said second pin having a fourth locking member; and with the stylet in the second operable position such that said second pin is urged against said second spring, said third locking member engages said fourth locking member in order to lock said second pin in the second operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 28

The handle of claim 22 further including: a trip pin; said trip pin associated and movable with said second actuator; said trip pin being capable of contacting said third locking member in order to release said fourth locking member and thereby allow said second spring to move said second pin and thus the stylet relative to said housing.

Claim 29

The handle of claim 20, further including: said housing having a first locking member; said first pin having a second locking member; and with the cannula in the first operable position such that said first pin is urged against said first spring, said first locking member engages said second locking member in order to lock said first pin in the first operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 30

The handle of claim 24, further including: an actuating pin; said actuating pin associated and movable with said second actuator; said actuating pin being capable of contacting an actuating arm, said actuating arm also being capable of contacting said first locking member in order to release said second locking member and thereby allow said first spring to move said first pin and thus the cannula relative to said housing.

Claim 31

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the biopsy handle comprising: a housing; a first actuator slidably mounted to said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted to said housing and adjacent to said first actuator; wherein said first and second actuators are located side by side and are slidable along parallel lines; said housing including a cavity adapted for receiving the needle set; said first actuator including a first member adapted for operably engaging the cannula; said second actuator including a second member adapted for operably engaging the stylet; said housing including an actuating member adapted for causing the cannula to be urged over the stylet after the stylet has been inserted.

Claim 32

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the biopsy handle comprising: a housing; a first actuator slidably mounted to said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted to said housing and adjacent to said first actuator; wherein said first and second actuators are located side by side and are slidable along parallel lines; said housing including a cavity adapted for receiving the needle set; said first actuator including a first member adapted for operably engaging the cannula; said second actuator including a second member adapted for operably engaging the stylet; said housing including an actuating member adapted for causing the cannula to be urged over the stylet after the stylet has been inserted.

Claim 33

The biopsy handle of claim 26, wherein said first actuator and said second actuator includes a first extension and a second extension, respectively.

Claim 34

The biopsy handle of claim 26, further including: said housing having a first locking member; a second locking member which is operably associated with the first member and adapted to be operably associated with the cannula such that said first member can urge said second locking member in order to urge said cannula into a position; said housing having a third locking member; a fourth locking member which is operably associated with the second member and adapted to be operably associated with the stylet such that said second member can urge said fourth locking member in order to urge said stylet into a position; and said second locking member capable of lockingly engaging said first locking member in order to lock the cannula into a position and said third locking member capable of lockingly engaging said fourth locking member in order to lock the stylet into a position.

Claim 35

The biopsy handle of claim 25 wherein said first actuator and said second actuator each include a protrusion that is adapted to be engaged by a single digit of a single hand of a user.

Claim 36

The biopsy handle of claim 25 wherein the actuating member automatically causes the cannula to be urged over the stylet.

Claim 37

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the handle comprising: a housing; a first guide secured to said housing; a second guide secured to said housing; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a first pin associated with said first guide; a second pin associated with said second guide; said first pin adapted to engage a cannula of a needle set; said second pin adapted to engage a stylet of a needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position; said housing having a first locking member; said first pin having a second locking member; and and with the cannula in the first operable position such that said first pin is urged against said first spring, said first locking member engages said second locking member in order to lock said first pin in the first operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 38

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the handle comprising: a housing; a first guide secured to said housing; a second guide secured to said housing; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a first pin associated with said first guide; a second pin associated with said second guide; said first pin adapted to engage a cannula of a needle set; said second pin adapted to engage a stylet of a needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position; said housing having a first locking member; said first pin having a second locking member; and and with the cannula in the first operable position such that said first pin is urged against said first spring, said first locking member engages said second locking member in order to lock said first pin in the first operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 39

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the handle comprising: a housing; a first guide secured to said housing; a second guide secured to said housing; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a first pin associated with said first guide; a second pin associated with said second guide; said first pin adapted to engage a cannula of a needle set; said second pin adapted to engage a stylet of a needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position; said second pin and said second pushing member operatively associated with said second actuator such that as said second actuator slides relative to said housing, said second pin and said second pushing member move relative to said housing and along said second guide in order to urge the stylet into a second operable position; said housing having a first locking member; said second pin having a second locking member; and and with the stylet in the second operable position such that said second pin is urged against said second spring, said first locking member engages said second locking member in order to lock said second pin in the second operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 40

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the handle comprising: a housing; a first guide secured to said housing; a second guide secured to said housing; a first actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted on said housing; a first pin associated with said first guide; a second pin associated with said second guide; said first pin adapted to engage a cannula of a needle set; said second pin adapted to engage a stylet of a needle set; a first spring associated with said first guide and said first pin; a second spring associated with said second guide and said second pin; a first pushing member that is associated with said first pin in order to urge said first pin relative to said first guide and against said first spring; a second pushing member that is associated with said second pin in order to urge said second pin relative to said second guide and against said second spring; and said first pin and said first pushing member operatively associated with said first actuator such that as said first actuator slides relative to said housing, said first pin and said first pushing member move relative to said housing and along said first guide in order to urge the cannula into a first operable position; said second pin and said second pushing member operatively associated with said second actuator such that as said second actuator slides relative to said housing, said second pin and said second pushing member move relative to said housing and along said second guide in order to urge the stylet into a second operable position; said housing having a first locking member; said second pin having a second locking member; and and with the stylet in the second operable position such that said second pin is urged against said second spring, said first locking member engages said second locking member in order to lock said second pin in the second operable position relative to said housing.

Claim 41

The handle of claim 32 further including: a trip pin; said trip pin associated and movable with said second actuator; said trip pin being capable of contacting said first locking member in order to release said second locking member and thereby allow said second spring to move said second pin and thus the stylet relative to said housing.

Claim 42

The handle of claim 32 further including: said housing having a third locking member; said first pin having a fourth locking member; and with the cannula in the first operable position such that said first pin is urged against said first spring, said third locking member engages said fourth locking member in order to lock said first pin in the first operable position relative to said housing; an actuating pin; said actuating pin associated and movable with said second actuator; said actuating pin being capable of contacting an actuating arm, said actuating arm also being capable of contacting said third locking member in order to release said fourth locking member and thereby allow said first spring to move said first pin and thus the cannula relative to said housing.

Claim 43

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the biopsy handle comprising: a housing; a first actuator slidably mounted to said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted to said housing and adjacent to said first actuator; said housing including a cavity adapted for receiving the needle set; said first actuator including a first member adapted for operably engaging the cannula; said second actuator including a second member adapted for operably engaging the stylet; said housing including an actuating member adapted for causing the cannula to be urged over the stylet after the stylet has been inserted; said housing having a first locking member; a second locking member which is operably associated with the first member and adapted to be operably associated with the cannula such that said first member can urge said second locking member in order to urge said cannula into a position; said housing having a third locking member; a fourth locking member which is operably associated with the second member and adapted to be operably associated with the stylet such that said second member can urge said fourth locking member in order to urge said stylet into a position; and said second locking member capable of lockingly engaging said first locking member in order to lock the cannula into a position and said third locking member capable of lockingly engaging said fourth locking member in order to lock the stylet into a position.

Claim 44

A biopsy handle adapted for accepting a needle set having a stylet and a cannula, the biopsy handle comprising: a housing; a first actuator slidably mounted to said housing; a second actuator slidably mounted to said housing and adjacent to said first actuator; said housing including a cavity adapted for receiving the needle set; said first actuator including a first member adapted for operably engaging the cannula; said second actuator including a second member adapted for operably engaging the stylet; said housing including an actuating member adapted for causing the cannula to be urged over the stylet after the stylet has been inserted; said housing having a first locking member; a second locking member which is operably associated with the first member and adapted to be operably associated with the cannula such that said first member can urge said second locking member in order to urge said cannula into a position; said housing having a third locking member; a fourth locking member which is operably associated with the second member and adapted to be operably associated with the stylet such that said second member can urge said fourth locking member in order to urge said stylet into a position; and said second locking member capable of lockingly engaging said first locking member in order to lock the cannula into a position and said third locking member capable of lockingly engaging said fourth locking member in order to lock the stylet into a position.