Flexible tip medical instrument

• US 20030208136A1
• Filed: 05/28/2003
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Promex Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Promex SA (Uzinsider SA)
• Inventors: Miller, Michael E., Mark, Joseph L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,048,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/564
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0208 Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/045 Needles pointed biopsy devices with vacuum aspiration A61B10/0283

Abstract

A biopsy device includes a flexible distal portion for obtaining a biopsy sample from a biopsy site. The device includes a coring cannula with a wall defined between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therebetween. The wall of the cannula defines a coring relief notch adjacent the distal end has a length along a longitudinal axis of the cannula longer than a diameter of the coring cannula. A wire is slidably disposable within the lumen of the coring cannula and has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a sampling cavity adjacent the distal end. A wire relief notch is positioned adjacent the sampling cavity. The wire relief notch has a length along a longitudinal axis of the wire longer than a width of the wire relief notch. A firing mechanism is engaged to the proximal ends of the coring cannula and the wire and the firing mechanism is operable to move the coring cannula relative to the wire from a second position to a first position to trap tissue from the biopsy site in the sampling cavity. The wire is slidable relative to the coring cannula between the first position retracted within the lumen so that the coring cannula covers the sampling cavity and a second position wherein the distal end of the wire is extended away from the coring cannula to expose the cavity to tissue in the biopsy site.

Claims

1. A biopsy device having a flexible distal portion for obtaining a biopsy sample from a biopsy site, comprising:

a coring cannula having a wall between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therebetween, said wall defining a coring relief notch adjacent said distal end, said coring relief notch having a length along a longitudinal axis of said cannula, said length of said coring relief notch longer than a width of said coring relief notch;

a wire slidably disposable within said lumen of said coring cannula and having a proximal end and a distal end, said wire defining a sampling cavity adjacent said distal end and a wire relief notch adjacent said sampling cavity, said wire relief notch having a length along a longitudinal axis of said wire, said length of said wire relief notch longer than a width of said wire relief notch;

said wire and said coring cannula having a first position with said wire retracted within said lumen so that said coring cannula covers said sampling cavity and a second position wherein said distal end of said wire is extended away from said coring cannula to expose said cavity; and

a firing mechanism engaged to said proximal ends of said coring cannula and said wire, said firing mechanism operable to move said coring cannula relative to said wire from the second position to the first position to trap tissue from the biopsy site in the sampling cavity.

2. The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein said wire relief notch is in communication with said coring relief notch when said wire and said coring cannula are in said first and second positions.

3. The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein said coring cannula further defines a slot adjacent said distal end.

4. The biopsy device of claim 3 wherein said slot is between said distal end and said coring relief notch.

5. The biopsy device of claim 3 wherein said coring relief notch is axially aligned with said slot.

6. The biopsy device of claim 3 wherein said sampling cavity is axially aligned with said wire relief notch.

7. The biopsy device of claim 3 wherein said coring cannula further defines a second slot adjacent said distal end.

8. A biopsy assembly, comprising:

an introducer having an elongated cannula defining an introducer lumen defined between a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula having a curved portion adjacent said distal end;

a body portion attached to said proximal end of said cannula and defining a channel in communication with said introducer lumen, and

an access port defined in said body portion and in communication with said channel;

a biopsy device disposable within said introducer lumen through said access port, said device including

a coring cannula having a wall between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therebetween, said wall defining a coring relief notch adjacent said distal end, said coring relief notch having a length along a longitudinal axis of said cannula,

said length of said coring relief notch longer than a width of said coring relief notch,

a wire slidably disposable within said lumen of said coring cannula and having a proximal end and a distal end, said wire defining a sampling cavity adjacent said distal end and a wire relief notch adjacent said sampling cavity, said wire relief notch having a length along a longitudinal axis of said wire, said length of said wire relief notch longer than a width of said wire relief notch,

said wire and said coring cannula having a first position with said wire retracted within said lumen so that said coring cannula covers said sampling cavity and a second position wherein said distal end of said wire is extended away from said coring cannula to expose said cavity, and

a firing mechanism engaged to said proximal ends of said coring cannula and said wire, said firing mechanism operable to move said coring cannula relative to said wire from the second position to the first position to trap tissue from the biopsy site in the sampling cavity; and

said coring cannula and said wire being sufficiently flexible at said distal ends to traverse said curved portion as said biopsy device is inserted into said introducer lumen.

9. The biopsy assembly of claim 8 wherein said wire relief notch is in communication with said coring relief notch when said wire and said coring cannula are in said first and second positions.

10. The biopsy assembly of claim 8 wherein said coring cannula further defines a slot adjacent said distal end.

11. The biopsy assembly of claim 10 wherein said slot is between said distal end and said coring relief notch.

12. The biopsy assembly of claim 10 wherein said coring relief notch is axially aligned with said slot.

13. The biopsy assembly of claim 10 wherein said sampling cavity is axially aligned with said wire relief notch.

14. The biopsy assembly of claim 10 wherein said coring cannula further defines a second slot adjacent said distal end.

15. A biopsy device having a flexible portion for obtaining a biopsy sample from a biopsy site, comprising:

a coring cannula having a wall between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therebetween, said coring cannula defining a coring relief notch positioned at a location between said proximal end and said distal end, said coring relief notch having a length along a longitudinal axis of said cannula, said length of said coring relief notch longer than a width of said coring relief notch;

a wire slidably disposable within said lumen of said coring cannula and having a proximal end and a distal end, said wire defining a sampling cavity adjacent said distal end;

said wire and said coring cannula having a first position with said wire retracted within said lumen so that said coring cannula covers said sampling cavity and a second position wherein said distal end of said wire is extended away from said coring cannula to expose said sampling cavity;

a firing mechanism engaged to said proximal ends of said coring cannula and said wire, said firing mechanism operable to move said coring cannula relative to said wire from the second position to the first position to trap tissue from the biopsy site in the sampling cavity; and

said wire further defining a wire relief notch at a location corresponding to said location of said coring cannula so that said wire relief notch is in communication with said coring cannula relief notch when said wire and said coring cannula are in said first and second positions.