Methods and devices for automated biopsy and collection of soft tissue

• US 20020016555A1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Published: 02/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M Galt, Mark A. Ritchart, Stuart J. Michael
• Inventors: Burbank, Fred H., Stuart, J. Michael, Galt, Kenneth M., Ritchart, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,428,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/567
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0208 Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0225 for taking multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/303 with four or more legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments

Abstract

Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.

Claims

18. A biopsy instrument, comprising:

an elongate hollow outer piercing needle having a lumen, a sharpened distal end for piercing tissue, and a lateral opening located proximal to said sharpened distal end for receiving a portion of a tissue mass positioned adjacent to said lateral opening;

an elongate inner cutting cannula having a lumen and being disposed coaxially and slidable within said elongate outer piercing needle, said elongate inner cannula having a sharpened distal end for cutting the portion of tissue protruding into said elongate outer piercing needle lateral opening when said elongate inner cannula slides distally past said lateral opening, thereby depositing the portion of cut tissue within said elongate inner cannula proximal to said sharpened distal end;

a vacuum generator for generating a vacuum pressure which fluidly communicates with said lateral opening through said inner cannula lumen; and

a tissue stop device disposed in the lumen of said inner cannula and having a structure disposed proximally of said lateral opening which is adapted to sufficiently obstruct said lumen so that a tissue sample drawn into the lateral opening by said vacuum pressure and severed by the cutting cannula is prevented from migrating proximally through the cutting cannula lumen.

19. A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 18, wherein said tissue stop device comprises a linear wire disposed along said inner cannula lumen from the distal end thereof, the proximal end of the wire being configured to comprise said obstruction structure.

20. A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 19, wherein said obstruction structure comprises a corkscrew position of said wire, the cross-sectional width of the corkscrew portion being just slightly smaller than the internal diameter of said cutter lumen.

21. A biopsy instrument as recited in claim 19, wherein the distal end of said wire comprises a tip which is fixedly attached to the distal end of the hollow outer piercing needle.

22. A biopsy instrument, comprising:

an outer hollow cannula having a distal end portion which comprises a plurality of leaflets, said leaflets each having a proximal end which is hinged to the outer cannula wall and a distal end, the leaflets being biased to pivot about their hinges to a closed position wherein the distal ends of the leaflets contact one another; and

an inner hollow cannula;

wherein at least one of said cannulas is slidable relative to the other cannula so that first the inner cannula may be extended distally with respect to the outer cannula to force said leaflets to an open position and to cut and contain a tissue sample, and then the outer cannula may be extended distally with respect to the inner cannula sufficiently so that the leaflets clear the inner cannula and snap closed about their hinges, thereby serving said tissue sample and containing it within the inner cannula.