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US6730044B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Firing mechanism for use in a surgical biopsy device
Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Inc
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Filing: 2001-09-28
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Granted: 2004-05-04
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Expires: 2021-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention described herein is an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine. The biopsy instrument described herein incorporates incorporates a firing mechanism to rapidly advance the biopsy probe into the breast.
Inventors
- 👤 Randy R. Stephens
- 👤 William A. Garrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0266; A61B10/0275; A61B10/0283; A61B2010/0208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A medical biopsy instrument comprising: a base assembly including a firing mechanism moveably attached to a distal end of said base assembly; a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter; and a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter; a piercer assembly comprising: a piercer comprising: a distal port; a vacuum lumen; and a central lumen wherein said central lumen is adapted to receive said cutter; a probe mount supporting said piercer wherein a proximal end of said probe mount is slideably movable with respect to a distal end of said cutter assembly, said probe mount comprising: a central lumen adapted to allow said cutter to pass through said probe mount; and a fork coupling detachably connected to said firing mechanism; and a drive assembly detachably mounted to said cutter assembly, said drive assembly including a flexible drive shaft operatively connected to said gear mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A medical biopsy instrument comprising: a base assembly including a firing mechanism moveably attached to a distal end of said base assembly; a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter; and a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter; a piercer assembly comprising: a piercer comprising: a distal port; a vacuum lumen; and a central lumen wherein said central lumen is adapted to receive said cutter; a probe mount supporting said piercer wherein a proximal end of said probe mount is slideably movable with respect to a distal end of said cutter assembly, said probe mount comprising: a central lumen adapted to allow said cutter to pass through said probe mount; and a fork coupling detachably connected to said firing mechanism; and a drive assembly detachably mounted to said cutter assembly, said drive assembly including a flexible drive shaft operatively connected to said gear mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
287 words
A medical biopsy instrument comprising: a base assembly including a firing mechanism wherein said firing mechanism comprises: a firing fork moveably attached to a distal end of said base assembly; and a firing assembly attached to said firing fork; a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter comprising: a central lumen extending through said cutter; a sharpened edge at a distal end of said cutter; and a first drive gear; and a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter wherein said gear mechanism includes a second drive gear adapted to mesh with said first drive gear; a piercer assembly comprising: a piercer comprising: a distal tissue port adapted to receive tissue; a first central lumen extending from a proximal end of said piercer to said tissue port, said first central lumen being adapted to receive said cutter; and a vacuum lumen fluidly connected to said tissue port; and a probe mount connecting said piercer to said cutter assembly wherein a proximal end of said probe mount is slideably moveable with respect to a distal end of said cutter assembly, said probe mount comprising: a second central lumen adapted to allow said cutter to pass through said probe mount to said first central lumen; and a fork coupling detachably connectable to said firing fork; and a drive assembly detachably mounted to said cutter assembly, said drive assembly comprising: a flexible drive shaft adapted to be connected at its proximal end to a control unit including a motor; and a transmission adapted to connect a distal end of said flexible drive shaft to said cutter assembly, wherein rotation of said flexible drive shaft rotates said second drive gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
287 words
A medical biopsy instrument comprising: a base assembly including a firing mechanism wherein said firing mechanism comprises: a firing fork moveably attached to a distal end of said base assembly; and a firing assembly attached to said firing fork; a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising: a cutter comprising: a central lumen extending through said cutter; a sharpened edge at a distal end of said cutter; and a first drive gear; and a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter wherein said gear mechanism includes a second drive gear adapted to mesh with said first drive gear; a piercer assembly comprising: a piercer comprising: a distal tissue port adapted to receive tissue; a first central lumen extending from a proximal end of said piercer to said tissue port, said first central lumen being adapted to receive said cutter; and a vacuum lumen fluidly connected to said tissue port; and a probe mount connecting said piercer to said cutter assembly wherein a proximal end of said probe mount is slideably moveable with respect to a distal end of said cutter assembly, said probe mount comprising: a second central lumen adapted to allow said cutter to pass through said probe mount to said first central lumen; and a fork coupling detachably connectable to said firing fork; and a drive assembly detachably mounted to said cutter assembly, said drive assembly comprising: a flexible drive shaft adapted to be connected at its proximal end to a control unit including a motor; and a transmission adapted to connect a distal end of said flexible drive shaft to said cutter assembly, wherein rotation of said flexible drive shaft rotates said second drive gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A biopsy device comprising: a base assembly comprising a firing mechanism; a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising a cutter; and a piercer; wherein said firing mechanism is operable to advance said piercer; a control unit separate from said base assembly, said control unit including at least one motor; and at least one flexible drive shaft operatively associated with said at least one motor and said cutter assembly for providing motion of said cutter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A biopsy device comprising: a base assembly comprising a firing mechanism; a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: a cutter assembly comprising a cutter; and a piercer; wherein said firing mechanism is operable to advance said piercer; a control unit separate from said base assembly, said control unit including at least one motor; and at least one flexible drive shaft operatively associated with said at least one motor and said cutter assembly for providing motion of said cutter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The biopsy device of claim 3 comprising a flexible drive shaft for providing translation of said cutter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The biopsy device of claim 3 comprising a flexible drive shaft for providing rotation of said cutter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The biopsy device of claim 3 comprising a transmission for providing operative association of a distal end of said at least one flexible drive shaft and said cutter assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The biopsy device of claim 3 wherein said firing mechanism comprises a four bar mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The biopsy device of claim 3 wherein said firing mechanism comprises a dual four bar mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The biopsy device of claim 3 wherein said firing mechanism is accessible by a user from opposite sides of said base assembly.
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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) | 2007-05-04 | 2007-11-03 | 2008-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-04 | 2011-11-03 | 2012-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-04 | 2015-11-03 | 2016-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |