CLUTCH AND VALVING SYSTEM FOR TETHERLESS BIOPSY DEVICE

• US 20090171242A1
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Hibner, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/566
• 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 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 may include a needle, a cutter, and a handpiece. A vacuum pump may be provided in the handpiece for providing a vacuum to the needle and/or to the cutter. A motor may be provided in the handpiece to drive the vacuum pump and/or the cutter. A biopsy device may also include a valving mechanism within the handpiece for selectively communicating a vacuum and/or atmospheric air to the needle. A clutching mechanism may selectively provide communication between a motor and the cutter. Portions of a valving mechanism and a clutching mechanism may be integrally formed. A clutching and valving mechanism may be driven by a first motor; and a cutter and vacuum pump by a second motor. A biopsy device may include batteries for powering motors. A biopsy device may thus provide vacuum and power from within a handpiece, such that the biopsy device is tetherless.

Claims

1. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:

(a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises;

(i) a tissue piercing tip,

(ii) a first lumen configured to receive a cutter, and

(iii) a transverse tissue receiving aperture in fluid communication with the first lumen;

(b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends from the handpiece;

(c) a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is positioned within the handpiece;

(d) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the first lumen of the needle; and

(e) a motor, wherein the motor is configured to drive the vacuum pump and the cutter.

2. The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the needle further comprises a needle hub and a second lumen, wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen, wherein the needle hub comprises a port in fluid communication with the second lumen.

3. The biopsy device of claim 2, further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the port of the needle hub.

4. The biopsy device of claim 3, further comprising a valving assembly, wherein the valving assembly comprises a manifold, wherein the conduit is further in fluid communication with the manifold.

5. The biopsy device of claim 4, wherein the valving assembly further comprises a valving member configured to translate longitudinally within the manifold, wherein the valving member is configured to redirect fluid communication within the manifold as a function of the longitudinal position of the valving member within the manifold.

6. The biopsy device of claim 5, further comprising a clutching mechanism, wherein the clutching mechanism is configured to selectively provide communication from the motor to the cutter.

7. The biopsy device of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the clutching mechanism and the valving member are integrally formed.

8. The biopsy device of claim 6, wherein the clutching mechanism comprises a forked member configured to selectively move a drive gear.

9. The biopsy device of claim 1, further comprising a clutching and valving mechanism, wherein the clutching and valving mechanism is configured to provide selective fluid communication to the second lumen and provide selective engagement between the cutter and the motor.

10. The biopsy device of claim 9, further comprising a second motor, wherein the clutching and valving mechanism are driven by a second motor.

11. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:

(a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises;

(i) a tissue piercing tip,

(ii) a first lumen configured to receive a cutter,

(iii) a transverse tissue receiving aperture in fluid communication with the first lumen, and

(iv) a second lumen, wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen;

(b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends from the handpiece;

(c) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the first lumen of the needle;

(d) a valving mechanism configured to selectively redirect fluid communication to the second lumen, wherein the valving mechanism is located within the handpiece;

(e) a motor; and

(e) a clutching mechanism configured to selectively engage the motor with the cutter.

12. The biopsy device of claim 11, wherein the valving mechanism comprises a manifold and a valving member within the manifold.

13. The biopsy device of claim 12, wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of ports, wherein the valving member is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between two or more of the ports as a function of longitudinal position of the valving member within the manifold.

14. The biopsy device of claim 12, wherein the clutching mechanism comprises a first portion integral with the valving member.

15. The biopsy device of claim 14, wherein the first portion comprises a fork member, wherein the valving member extends distally from the fork member.

16. The biopsy device of claim 11, further comprising a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the valving mechanism.

17. The biopsy device of claim 16, further comprising a tissue sample chamber, wherein the vacuum pump is further in fluid communication with the tissue sample chamber.

18. The biopsy device of claim 16, wherein the cutter defines a cutter lumen, wherein the vacuum pump is further in fluid communication with the cutter lumen.

19. The biopsy device of claim 16, wherein the vacuum pump is located within the handpiece.

20. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:

(a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises;

(i) a tissue piercing tip,

(ii) a lumen configured to receive a cutter, and

(iii) a transverse tissue receiving aperture in fluid communication with the lumen;

(b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends from the handpiece;

(c) a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is positioned within the handpiece;

(d) a motor configured to drive the vacuum pump, wherein the motor is positioned within the handpiece; and

(e) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the lumen of the needle.