US6712774B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lockout for a surgical biopsy device
Assignee: Nuvelo Inc
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Filing: 2001-09-28
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Granted: 2004-03-30
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Expires: 2021-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The present application describes an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine, and incorporates a safety lockout system that is located at the proximal end of the biopsy instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 James W. Voegele
- 👤 Craig F. Forester
- 👤 William A. Garrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0266; A61B10/0275; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y15/00; A61B10/0283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A biopsy instrument comprising: a probe assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly; a piercer assembly slideably attached to said cutter assembly; a base assembly detachably mounted to said probe assembly wherein said base assembly comprises: a firing fork operatively connected to said piercer assembly a spring operatively connected to said firing fork wherein said spring opposes movement of said firing fork in a proximal direction; a trigger mechanism adapted to move said firing fork in a proximal direction; a latch mechanism adapted to hold said firing fork in a first position; a release mechanism adapted to release said latch mechanism; a lockout mechanism adapted to prevent said release mechanism from releasing said latch mechanism, said lockout mechanism comprising a spring biased member; a drive assembly including a flexible drive shaft which is operatively connected to said cutter assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A biopsy instrument comprising: a probe assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly; a piercer assembly slideably attached to said cutter assembly; a base assembly detachably mounted to said probe assembly wherein said base assembly comprises: a firing fork operatively connected to said piercer assembly a spring operatively connected to said firing fork wherein said spring opposes movement of said firing fork in a proximal direction; a trigger mechanism adapted to move said firing fork in a proximal direction; a latch mechanism adapted to hold said firing fork in a first position; a release mechanism adapted to release said latch mechanism; a lockout mechanism adapted to prevent said release mechanism from releasing said latch mechanism, said lockout mechanism comprising a spring biased member; a drive assembly including a flexible drive shaft which is operatively connected to said cutter assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
232 words
A biopsy instrument comprising: a probe assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter; a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter; a piercer assembly slideably attached to said cutter assembly; a base assembly detachably mounted to said probe assembly wherein said base assembly comprises: a firing fork removably attached to said piercer assembly such that movement of said firing fork in a distal direction moves said piercer assembly in a distal direction; a spring operatively connected to said firing fork, said spring being adapted to oppose movement of said firing fork in a proximal direction; a trigger mechanism operatively connected to said firing fork, said trigger mechanism being adapted to move said cutter in a proximal direction; a latch mechanism operatively connected to said firing fork to hold said firing fork in a first, proximal position; a release mechanism adapted to release said latch mechanism when said release mechanism is moved in a first direction; a lockout mechanism adapted to prevent said release mechanism from moving in said first direction, said lockout mechanism including a spring biased rotatable plate comprising: a first spring wire; a second spring wire wherein said first and second spring wires define a first opening in said place; a handle affixed to said plate and projecting from said base assembly; a drive assembly including a flexible drive shaft operatively connected to said gear mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
232 words
A biopsy instrument comprising: a probe assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter; a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter; a piercer assembly slideably attached to said cutter assembly; a base assembly detachably mounted to said probe assembly wherein said base assembly comprises: a firing fork removably attached to said piercer assembly such that movement of said firing fork in a distal direction moves said piercer assembly in a distal direction; a spring operatively connected to said firing fork, said spring being adapted to oppose movement of said firing fork in a proximal direction; a trigger mechanism operatively connected to said firing fork, said trigger mechanism being adapted to move said cutter in a proximal direction; a latch mechanism operatively connected to said firing fork to hold said firing fork in a first, proximal position; a release mechanism adapted to release said latch mechanism when said release mechanism is moved in a first direction; a lockout mechanism adapted to prevent said release mechanism from moving in said first direction, said lockout mechanism including a spring biased rotatable plate comprising: a first spring wire; a second spring wire wherein said first and second spring wires define a first opening in said place; a handle affixed to said plate and projecting from said base assembly; a drive assembly including a flexible drive shaft operatively connected to said gear mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
A biopsy instrument comprising: a probe assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter; a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter; a piercer assembly slideably attached to said cutter assembly; a base assembly detachably mounted to said probe assembly wherein said base assembly comprises: a firing apparatus, said firing apparatus adapted to fire said piercer assembly in a distal direction; a spring disposed to oppose movement of a portion of said firing apparatus in a proximal direction; a lookout mechanism associated with said firing apparatus, said lockout mechanism comprising a rotatable plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A biopsy instrument comprising: a probe assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter; a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter; a piercer assembly slideably attached to said cutter assembly; a base assembly detachably mounted to said probe assembly wherein said base assembly comprises: a firing apparatus, said firing apparatus adapted to fire said piercer assembly in a distal direction; a spring disposed to oppose movement of a portion of said firing apparatus in a proximal direction; a lookout mechanism associated with said firing apparatus, said lockout mechanism comprising a rotatable plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The biopsy instrument of claim 3 wherein said lockout mechanism comprises a spring biased rotatable plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The biopsy instrument of claim 4 wherein said lookout mechanism comprises a first spring and a second spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The biopsy instrument of claim 5 wherein said first and second springs define an opening in said rotatable plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-30 | 2007-09-29 | 2008-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-30 | 2011-09-29 | 2012-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-30 | 2015-09-29 | 2016-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |