Method of operating a biopsy device

• US 20050085838A1
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Thompson, Bennie, DaPrato, Larry
• Granted Patent: US 7,252,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/170
• 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 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0208 Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids

Abstract

A biopsy device and method for operating the biopsy device are disclosed. The method of operating the biopsy device can include varying the translational speed of a cutter independently of the speed of a motor driving translation of the cutter. The method can also include providing close loop control of a fluid system, such as a vacuum system, associated with the biopsy device. The method can also include control of a cutter motor including comparing an actual motor current with a predetermined motor current.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining a tissue sample comprising the steps of:

positioning a tissue receiving port within a tissue mass;

receiving tissue within the receiving port;

providing a cutter adapted for advancement with respect to the receiving port;

providing a source of rotary motion for providing advancement of the cutter; and

varying the speed of advancement of the cutter independently of the rotational speed of the source of rotary motion.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the source of rotary motion is a motor.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the source of rotary motion is an electric motor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutter and the source of rotary motion are disposed on a handheld device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying the speed of advancement of the cutter comprises employing a member having a threaded portion of varying pitch.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying the speed of advancement of the cutter comprises employing a rotating member having a threaded portion of varying pitch.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying the speed of advancement of the cutter comprises employing a relatively coarse pitch threaded portion and a relatively fine pitch threaded portion.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of varying the speed of advancement of the cutter comprises advancing the cutter at a relatively more rapid speed prior to severing tissue and advancing the cutter at a relatively less rapid speed during severing of tissue.

9. A method of operating a biopsy device comprising the steps of:

providing a fluid reservoir operatively associated with the biopsy device;

providing closed loop control of the pressure in the fluid reservoir.

10. The method of claim 9 comprising measuring a pressure in the fluid reservoir.

11. The method of claim 9 comprising providing a vacuum in the fluid reservoir.

12. The method of claim 9 comprising providing a positive pressure in the fluid reservoir.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing closed loop control comprises turning a pump on and off.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing closed loop control comprises varying the speed of a pump.

15. A method of operating a biopsy device comprising the steps of:

providing a fluid reservoir associated with the biopsy device;

providing a pump associated with the biopsy device and communicating with the reservoir; and

operating the pump at predetermined times during an operating cycle of the biopsy device.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising the step of programming a controller to operate the pump.

17. The method of claim 15 comprising varying the speed of a motor operatively associated with the pump.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the pump is a vacuum pump.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the pump is a compressor.

20. A method of operating a biopsy device comprising the steps of:

providing a cutter;

providing a motor for translating the cutter; and

controlling the motor, wherein the step of controlling the motor comprises comparing an actual motor current to a predetermined motor current.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined motor current is stored in a memory device.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of controlling the motor comprises providing a pulse width modulated motor drive signal.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of controlling the motor comprises adjusting the pulse width modulated motor drive signal.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of controlling the motor comprises adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated drive signal.

25. The method of claim 24 comprising adjusting the pulse width modulated drive signal to achieve a desired cutter position and speed.

26. The method of claim 25 comprising adjusting the pulse width to achieve a desired cutter position at a desired time.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of controlling the motor comprises adjusting a voltage level of a motor drive signal.

28. The method of claim 27 comprising adjusting the voltage level of the motor drive signal to achieve a desired cutter speed and position.

29. The method of claim 28 comprising adjusting the time duration of the voltage level of the motor drive signal to achieve a desired cutter position at a desired time.

30. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of controlling the motor comprises close loop control of the motor.