BIOPSY APPARATUS HAVING A TISSUE SAMPLE RETRIEVAL MECHANISM

• US 20110054350A1
• Filed: 09/01/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Sonion Roskilde A/S
• Inventors: Videbaek, Karsten
• Granted Patent: US 8,485,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/568
• 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 2010/0225 for taking multiple samples

Abstract

A biopsy apparatus includes a biopsy probe having a biopsy cannula and a sample basket arranged coaxially about a longitudinal axis. The sample basket is movably disposed relative to the biopsy cannula along the longitudinal axis from a tissue harvesting position to a tissue sample retrieval region. The sample basket has a sample notch formed as an elongate recessed region for receiving a tissue sample. A tissue sample retrieval mechanism includes a sample collection tank configured for removable insertion into a sample tank receptacle. The sample tank receptacle permits movement of the sample collection tank in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and prohibits movement of the sample collection tank in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The sample collection tank is configured to retrieve the tissue sample directly from the sample notch as the sample basket is moving along the longitudinal axis at the tissue sample retrieval region.

Claims

1. A biopsy apparatus, comprising:

an electromechanical power source;

a biopsy probe drivably coupled to said electromechanical power source, said biopsy probe including a biopsy cannula and a sample basket arranged coaxially about a longitudinal axis, said sample basket being movably disposed relative to said biopsy cannula along said longitudinal axis from a tissue harvesting position to a tissue sample retrieval region, said sample basket having a sample notch formed as an elongate recessed region for receiving a tissue sample; and

a tissue sample retrieval mechanism including a sample tank receptacle and a sample collection tank configured for removable insertion into said sample tank receptacle, said sample tank receptacle permitting movement of said sample collection tank in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and prohibiting movement of said sample collection tank in a direction along said longitudinal axis, said sample collection tank being configured to retrieve said tissue sample directly from said sample notch as said sample basket is moving along said longitudinal axis at said tissue sample retrieval region.

2. The biopsy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tissue sample retrieval mechanism includes a tank positioning mechanism configured to selectively move said sample collection tank between a raised position and a lowered position, said tank positioning mechanism being drivably coupled to said electromechanical power source to selectively lower said sample collection tank from said raised position to said lowered position to position a portion of said sample collection tank in sliding engagement with said sample notch to facilitate retrieval of a tissue sample from said sample basket as said sample basket is moved in said tissue sample retrieval region.

3. The biopsy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sample collection tank defines a single collection cavity configured for receiving multiple tissue samples, said sample collection tank having a base and a tissue sample scoop configured to engage said sample notch of said sample basket, said tissue sample scoop fixedly projecting downwardly from said base and extending forward toward a front portion of said sample collection tank to terminate at a rim, said tissue sample scoop having a tissue collection lumen through which each tissue sample will pass, said tissue collection lumen beginning at an opening located near said rim and extending to said collection cavity.

4. The biopsy apparatus of claim 3, wherein said a tissue sample retrieval mechanism includes a tank positioning mechanism configured to selectively move said sample collection tank in said sample tank receptacle between a raised position and a lowered position, said tank positioning mechanism being drivably engaged with said electromechanical power source to selectively lower said sample collection tank from said raised position to said lowered position to position said tissue sample scoop in sliding engagement with said sample notch to facilitate retrieval of a tissue sample from said sample basket as said sample basket is moved in said tissue sample retrieval region.

5. The biopsy apparatus of claim 4, wherein said sample collection tank has a ramped face, said tank positioning mechanism including:

a lift member positioned along said longitudinal axis, said lift member having a ramp surface positioned to engage said ramped face of said sample collection tank, said lift member being configured and arranged for drivable coupling to said electromechanical power source,

said electromechanical power source being operable to move said lift member along said longitudinal axis in a first direction to lift said sample collection tank away from said longitudinal axis as said ramp surface of said lift member slides along said ramped face of said sample collection tank, and

said electromechanical power source being operable to move said lift member along said longitudinal axis in a second direction opposite said first direction to lower said sample collection tank toward said longitudinal axis as said ramp surface of said lift member slides along said ramped face of said sample collection tank.

6. The biopsy apparatus of claim 5, wherein said sample tank receptacle is formed integral with a housing, said housing having a latch catch, and further including a lever extending from said lift member, and a latch member extending from said lever in said first direction, said latch member being located for engagement with said latch catch to latch said lift member in a latched transport position corresponding to said raised position of said sample collection tank.

7. The biopsy apparatus of claim 5, wherein said ramped face is located at said scoop of said sample collection tank adjacent said rim.

8. The biopsy apparatus of claim 3, wherein said elongate recessed region of said sample notch has a pair of spaced elongate edges, and said tissue sample scoop has a first shoulder and a second shoulder that are positioned on opposite sides of said opening for sliding engagement with said pair of spaced elongate edges of said elongate recessed region along said longitudinal axis, with said rim of said tissue sample scoop being positioned in said elongate recessed region during retrieval of said tissue sample from said sample notch.

9. The biopsy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sample collection tank has a rear wall and a rack gear longitudinally positioned on said rear wall, said biopsy apparatus further including a toggle mechanism including a rotary gear having a rotational axis and a first spring coupled to said rotary gear at a location offset from said rotational axis, said rotary gear being located for driving engagement with said rack gear as said sample collection tank is slidably received by said sample tank receptacle, said toggle mechanism being configured to define a break-over point where said first spring provides a first biasing force via said rotary gear to bias said sample collection tank toward said longitudinal axis when said sample collection tank is installed in said sample tank receptacle.

10. The biopsy apparatus of claim 9, wherein said sample collection tank has a ramped face, and said tissue sample retrieval mechanism including:

a lift member positioned along said longitudinal axis, said lift member having a ramp surface positioned to engage said ramped face of said sample collection tank;

a second spring positioned to exert a second biasing force on said lift member to bias said ramp surface in a direction away from said ramped face; and

a lever extending from said lift member, said lever having a distal end configured to engage said electromechanical power source to facilitate movement of said lift member along said longitudinal axis in a direction against said second biasing force exerted by said second spring to lift said sample collection tank as said ramp surface of said lift member slides along said ramped face of said sample collection tank.

11. A biopsy apparatus, comprising:

a driver assembly configured to be grasped by a user, and having an electromechanical power source; and

a disposable biopsy probe assembly configured for releasable attachment to said driver assembly, including;

a transmission device configured for driving engagement with said electromechanical power source;

a biopsy probe drivably coupled to said transmission device, said biopsy probe including a biopsy cannula and a sample basket arranged coaxially about a longitudinal axis, said sample basket being movably disposed relative to said biopsy cannula along said longitudinal axis from a tissue harvesting position to a tissue sample retrieval region, said sample basket having a sample notch formed as an elongate recessed region for receiving a tissue sample; and

a tissue sample retrieval mechanism including a sample tank receptacle and a sample collection tank configured for removable insertion into said sample tank receptacle, said sample tank receptacle permitting movement of said sample collection tank in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and prohibiting movement of said sample collection tank in a direction along said longitudinal axis, said sample collection tank being configured to retrieve said tissue sample directly from said sample notch as said sample basket is moving along said longitudinal axis at said tissue sample retrieval region.

12. The biopsy apparatus of claim 11, wherein said tissue sample retrieval mechanism includes a tank positioning mechanism configured to selectively move said sample collection tank between a raised position and a lowered position, said tank positioning mechanism being drivably coupled to said electromechanical power source to selectively lower said sample collection tank from said raised position to said lowered position to position a portion of said sample collection tank in sliding engagement with said sample notch to facilitate retrieval of a tissue sample from said sample basket as said sample basket is moved in said tissue sample retrieval region.

13. The biopsy apparatus of claim 11, wherein said sample collection tank defines a single collection cavity configured for receiving multiple tissue samples, said sample collection tank having a base and a tissue sample scoop configured to engage said sample notch of said sample basket, said tissue sample scoop fixedly projecting downwardly from said base and extending forward toward a front portion of said sample collection tank to terminate at a rim, said tissue sample scoop having a tissue collection lumen through which each tissue sample will pass, said tissue collection lumen beginning at an opening located near said rim and extending to said collection cavity.

14. The biopsy apparatus of claim 13, wherein said a tissue sample retrieval mechanism includes a tank positioning mechanism configured to selectively move said sample collection tank in said sample tank receptacle between a raised position and a lowered position, said tank positioning mechanism being drivably engaged with said electromechanical power source to selectively lower said sample collection tank from said raised position to said lowered position to position said tissue sample scoop in sliding engagement with said sample notch to facilitate retrieval of a tissue sample from said sample basket as said sample basket is moved in said tissue sample retrieval region.

15. The biopsy apparatus of claim 14, wherein said sample collection tank has a ramped face, said tank positioning mechanism including:

a lift member positioned along said longitudinal axis, said lift member having a ramp surface positioned to engage said ramped face of said sample collection tank, said lift member being configured and arranged for drivable coupling to said electromechanical power source,

said electromechanical power source being operable to move said lift member along said longitudinal axis in a first direction to lift said sample collection tank away from said longitudinal axis as said ramp surface of said lift member slides along said ramped face of said sample collection tank, and

said electromechanical power source being operable to move said lift member along said longitudinal axis in a second direction opposite said first direction to lower said sample collection tank toward said longitudinal axis as said ramp surface of said lift member slides along said ramped face of said sample collection tank.

16. The biopsy apparatus of claim 15, wherein said sample tank receptacle is formed integral with a housing, said housing having a latch catch, and further including a lever extending from said lift member, and a latch member extending from said lever in said first direction, said latch member being located for engagement with said latch catch to latch said lift member in a latched transport position corresponding to said raised position of said sample collection tank.

17. The biopsy apparatus of claim 15, wherein said ramped face is located at said scoop of said sample collection tank adjacent said rim.

18. The biopsy apparatus of claim 13, wherein said elongate recessed region of said sample notch has a pair of spaced elongate edges, and said tissue sample scoop has a first shoulder and a second shoulder that are positioned on opposite sides of said opening for sliding engagement with said pair of spaced elongate edges of said elongate recessed region along said longitudinal axis, with said rim of said tissue sample scoop being positioned in said elongate recessed region during retrieval of said tissue sample from said sample notch.

19. The biopsy apparatus of claim 11, wherein said sample collection tank has a rear wall and a rack gear longitudinally positioned on said rear wall, said biopsy apparatus further including a toggle mechanism including a rotary gear having a rotational axis and a first spring coupled to said rotary gear at a location offset from said rotational axis, said rotary gear being located for driving engagement with said rack gear as said sample collection tank is slidably received by said sample tank receptacle, said toggle mechanism being configured to define a break-over point where said first spring provides a first biasing force via said rotary gear to bias said sample collection tank toward said longitudinal axis when said sample collection tank is installed in said sample tank receptacle.

20. The biopsy apparatus of claim 19, wherein said sample collection tank has a ramped face, and said tissue sample retrieval mechanism including:

a lift member positioned along said longitudinal axis, said lift member having a ramp surface positioned to engage said ramped face of said sample collection tank;

a second spring positioned to exert a second biasing force on said lift member to bias said ramp surface in a direction away from said ramped face; and

a lever extending from said lift member, said lever having a distal end configured to engage said electromechanical power source to facilitate movement of said lift member along said longitudinal axis in a direction against said second biasing force exerted by said second spring to lift said sample collection tank as said ramp surface of said lift member slides along said ramped face of said sample collection tank.