Automatic tissue sampling apparatus

• US 5,476,101 A
• Filed: 03/19/1993
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: M3 Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: M3 Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Mittermeier, Anton, Schramm, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tucker, Guy V.
• Application Number:
  US08/033,808
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 128/754, 128/753, 128/751, 128/749, 606/167, 606/168, 606/170, 606/171, 606/182, 606/184
• US Class Current: 600/567
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of a biopsy needle system, having a first needle component and a second needle component. The first and second needles are provided with first and second handles, respectively, which are fitted into first and second yokes of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to maintain the first and second needles in a first position, during insertion of the biopsy needle point into the tissue being sampled. The apparatus is further configured to forwardly move the first and second needles into subsequent positions, respectively, in rapid, automated succession so as to segment and enclose a tissue sample, which may be tested after removal of the biopsy needle system from the tissue. A tissue sample inspection feature permits facilitated repositioning and maintenance of the first needle relative to the second needle after retrieval of the tissue sample to, in turn, enable inspection of the retrieved tissue sample without removal of either needle from the apparatus.

Claims

1. An automatic tissue sampling apparatus, for use with a biopsy needle system of the kind including a first needle having a shaft member and two ends, a first handle disposed at one end of the shaft member, a cutting point disposed at the other end of the shaft member, and a tissue holding region positioned between the cutting point and the first handle;

and a second needle having a hollow shaft and two ends, a cutting point disposed at one end of the hollow shaft, a second handle with a passageway arranged therethrough for telescopic receipt and reciprocation of said first needle therewithin, and particularly for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of said biopsy needle system during a biopsy procedure, said automatic tissue sampling apparatus comprising;

housing means having a forward region, a rearward region, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

first transport means, operably disposed in said rearward region of said housing means, for reciprocating movement between a first transport means forward position, through an intermediate position, to a first transport means retracted position therewithin said rearward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means;

second transport means, operably disposed in said forward region of said housing means for reciprocating movement between a second transport means forward position and a second transport means retracted position therewithin said forward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means,

said first transport means and said second transport means being configured to receive and longitudinally move, in said reciprocating directions, said first handle of said first needle and said second handle of said second needle, respectively;

first biasing means operably arranged substantially in said rearward region of said housing means for biasing said first transport means forwardly toward said first transport means forward position;

second biasing means, operably arranged substantially in said forward region of said housing means, for biasing said second transport means forwardly toward said second transport means forward position within said forward region;

cocking means integrally and operably associated with said first transport means and said second transport means, for drawing said first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, rearwardly into said first transport means retracted position thereof, within said rearward region, and for drawing said second transport means, and, in turn, said second needle, rearwardly into said second transport means retracted position thereof, within said forward region,

said cocking means being configured so that when first actuated, said second transport means are initially oriented toward said second transport means retracted position while said first transport means remains oriented in said first transport means forward position, further actuation of said cocking means serving to position said second transport means to said second transport means retracted position and further serving to position said first transport means to said intermediate position, and said first transport means being thereafter further oriented from said intermediate position to said first transport means retracted position;

by a subsequent actuation of said cocking means positioninq means for operably prompting said first transport means into said intermediate position, durinq said first actuation of said cocking means, and for maintaininq said first transport means in said intermediate position until said subsequent actuation of said cocking means;

first transport retaining means operably associated with said first transport means for releasably retaining said first transport means in said first transport means retracted position;

second transport retaining means operably associated with said second transport means for releasably retaining said second transport means in said second transport means retracted position;

first release means operably associated with said first transport retaining means to actuate said first transport retaining means to release said first transport means from said retracted first transport means retracted position to, in turn, enable said first transport means to be driven rapidly forward by said first biasing means, toward said first transport means forward position thereof; and

second release means operably associated with said second transport retaining means to actuate said second transport retaining means to release said second transport means from said second transport means retracted position, when said first transport means substantially reaches said first transport means forward position thereof, to, in turn, enable said second transport means to be driven rapidly forward to said second transport means forward position thereafter, by said second biasing means.

2. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cocking means further comprises:

automatic tissue sample inspection means for enabling the facilitated reorientation of said second transport means relative to said first transport means after removal of said biopsy needle system from said tissue being sampled, with the first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, in said intermediate position in the rearward region, with the second transport means, and, in turn, the second needle in said second transport means retracted position, exposing said tissue holding region and said sampled tissue removed as a result of said tissue sampling procedure.

3. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises:

means for rearwardly displacing said first transport means, from said first transport means forward position to said intermediate position, as said second transport means approaches said second transport means retracted position, during said first actuation of said cocking means.

4. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for rearwardly displacing said first transport means comprises:

a rearwardly projecting horizontal member operably emanating from said second transport means; and

resilient reception means operably disposed substantially within a forward facing portion of said first transport means.

5. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing means comprises:

a substantially solid-walled, generally continuous apparatus enclosure having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration for substantially enclosing the reciprocating portions of said automatic tissue sampling apparatus and to protect same from dirt, moisture and the like, as well as to provide audio isolation of said moving portions to reduce noise produced during operation of said automatic tissue sampling apparatus.

6. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said enclosure comprises:

two oppositely disposed sidewalls extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means, each of said sidewalls having a forward end and a rearward end;

a forward wall, extending substantially parallel to said transverse axis of said housing means, operably connecting said forward ends of each of said sidewalls;

a rearward wall, extending substantially parallel to said transverse axis of said apparatus housing, operably connecting said rearward ends of each of said sidewalls;

a bottom wall, extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, operably connecting said forward and rearward walls and said sidewalls;

an openable cover member disposed opposite said bottom wall for permitting placement and removal of said biopsy needle system and enclosure of same in a substantially fully enclosed environment; and

a central support member, operably positioned between said sidewalls, substantially centrally between said forward and rearward walls.

7. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first transport means comprises:

a first yoke member operably configured to be longitudinally and slidably retained between said sidewalls, said rearward wall, and said central support member, and operably configured to receive and retain said first handle of said first needle.

8. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second transport means comprises:

a second yoke member operably configured to be longitudinally and slidably retained between said forward wall and said central support member, and operably configured to receive and retain said second handle of said second needle.

9. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first biasing means comprises:

a compressed spring operably positioned between said rearward wall and said first yoke member.

10. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second biasing means comprises:

a compressed spring operably positioned between said central support member and said second yoke member.

11. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said cocking means comprises:

a shaft, extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, operably disposed for reciprocating movement parallel to said longitudinal axis, and having two ends, a first of said two ends extending through an aperture in said rearward wall;

a pivotable lever, operably and pivotally disposed upon said rearward wall for pivotal movement around an axis extending substantially parallel to said transverse axis, said lever further being operably associated with said first end of said shaft such that when said lever is pivotally moved, said shaft is moved rearwardly; and

a cross member operably disposed upon a second end of said shaft, opposite to said first end, so as to abut a forward face of said second yoke member when said lever is actuated and said second yoke member is in said second transport means forward position thereof, so as to draw said second yoke member toward said second transport means retracted position.

12. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said cocking means further comprises:

biasing means operably disposed between said cross member and said second transport means for normally biasing said shaft in a forwardmost position relative to said housing means.

13. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second biasing means are operably disposed and configured to function substantially independently of each other.

14. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 1, in which the invention further comprises:

safety means operably associated with at least said first release means and said cocking means to preclude inadvertent actuation of at least said first release means and, in turn, said first inner needle transport means thereof.

15. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said safety means comprises:

a stop member, operably configured to be automatically and removably positioned to physically preclude actuation of at least said first release means, upon actuation of said cocking means.

16. An automatic tissue sampling apparatus, for use with a biopsy needle system of the kind including a first needle having a shaft member and two ends, a first handle disposed at one end of the shaft member, a cutting point disposed at the other end of the shaft member, and a tissue holding region positioned between the cutting point and the first handle;

and a second needle having a hollow shaft and two ends, a cutting point at one end of the hollow shaft, a second handle with a passageway arranged therethrough for telescopic receipt and reciprocation of said first needle therewithin, and particularly for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of said biopsy needle system during a biopsy procedure, said automatic tissue sampling apparatus comprising;

housing means having a forward region, a rearward region, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

first transport means, operably disposed in said rearward region of said housing means, for reciprocating movement between a first transport means forward position, through an intermediate position, to a first transport means retracted position therewithin said rearward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means;

second transport means, operably disposed in said forward region of said housing means for reciprocating movement between a second transport means forward position and a second transport means retracted position therewithin said forward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means,

said first transport means and said second transport means being configured to receive and longitudinally move, in said reciprocating directions, said first handle of said first needle and said second handle of said second needle, respectively;

first biasing means operably arranged in said rearward region of said housing means for biasing said first transport means forwardly toward said first transport means forward position;

second biasing means, operably arranged in said forward region of said housing means, for biasing said second transport means forwardly toward said second transport means forward position within said forward region;

cocking means, integrally and operably associated with said first transport means and said second transport means, for drawing said first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, rearwardly into said first transport means retracted position thereof, within said rearward region, and for drawing said second transport means, and, in turn, said second needle, rearwardly into said second transport means retracted position thereof, within said forward region;

first transport retaining means operably associated with said first transport means for releasably retaining said first transport means in said first transport means retracted position;

second transport retaining means operably associated with said second transport means for releasably retaining said second transport means in said second transport means retracted position;

first release means operably associated with said first transport retaining means to actuate said first transport retaining means to release said first transport means from said first transport means retracted position to, in turn, enable said first transport means to be driven rapidly forward by said first biasing means, toward said first transport means forward position thereof;

second release means operably associated with said second transport retaining means to actuate said second transport retaining means to release said second transport means from said second transport means retracted position, when said first transport means substantially reaches said first transport means forward position thereof, to, in turn, enable said second transport means to be driven rapidly forward to said second transport means forward position thereafter, by said second biasing means; and

automatic tissue sample inspection means for enabling the facilitated reorientation of said second transport means relative to said first transport means after removal of said biopsy needle system from said tissue being sampled, with the first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, in said intermediate position in the rearward region, with the second transport means, and, in turn, said second needle, in said second transport means retracted position, exposing said tissue holding region and said sampled tissue removed as a result of said tissue sampling procedure,

said automatic tissue sample inspection means including a detent member operably disposed on said first transport means, to disengage said first transport means from said cocking means; and

an engagement member, operably disposed on said second transport means, to position said detent member into engagement with said cocking means, when said second transport means is in said second transport means retracted position, and said first transport means is in said intermediate position,

said cocking means and said first transport means and said second transport means being operably configured such that upon actuation of said cocking means after removal of said biopsy needle system from the tissue being sampled, said second transport means may be drawn to said second transport means retracted position thereof for retention by said second transport retaining means to expose said tissue holding region while said first needle is oriented to said intermediate position,

said engagement member placing said detent member into engagement with said cocking means, during said actuation, whereupon further actuation of said cocking means, said first transport means is repositioned from said intermediate position into said first transport means retracted position thereof for retention by said first transport retaining means, thereby enabling tissue re-sampling by said apparatus.

17. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said automatic tissue sample inspection means cooperates with said second transport retaining means to releasably, yet positively maintain said second transport means in said second transport means retracted position, and said first transport means in said intermediate position to expose, as desired, said tissue holding region with said removed sampled tissue.

18. An automatic tissue sampling apparatus, for use with a biopsy needle system of the kind including a first needle having a shaft member and two ends, a first handle disposed at one end of the shaft member, a cutting point disposed at the other end of the shaft member, and a tissue holding region positioned between the cutting point and the first handle;

and a second needle having a hollow shaft and two ends, a cutting point disposed at one end of the hollow shaft, a second handle with a passageway arranged therethrough for telescopic receipt and reciprocation of said first needle therewithin, and particularly for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of said biopsy needle system during a biopsy procedure, said automatic tissue sampling apparatus comprising;

housing means having a forward region, a rearward region, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

first transport means, operably disposed in said rearward region of said housing means, for reciprocating movement between a first transport means forward position, through an intermediate position to a first transport means retracted position therewithin said rearward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means;

second transport means, operably disposed in said forward region of said housing means for reciprocating movement between a second transport means forward position and a second transport means retracted position therewithin said forward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means,

said first transport means and said second transport means being configured to receive and longitudinally move, in said reciprocating directions, said first handle of said first needle and said second handle of said second needle, respectively;

first biasing means operably arranged in said rearward region of said housing means for biasing said first transport means forwardly toward said first transport means forward position, within said rearward region;

second biasing means, operably arranged in said forward region of said housing means, for biasing said second transport means forwardly toward said second transport means forward position within said forward region;

cocking means, integrally and operably associated with said first transport means and said second transport means, for drawing said first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, rearwardly into said first transport means retracted position thereof, within said rearward region, and for drawing said second transport means, and, in turn, said second needle, rearwardly into said second transport means retracted position thereof, within said forward region;

first transport retaining means operably associated with said first transport means for releasably retaining said first transport means in said first transport means retracted position;

second transport retaining means operably associated with said second transport means for releasably retaining said second transport means in said second transport means retracted position;

first release means operably associated with said first transport retaining means to actuate said first transport retaining means to release said first transport means from said retracted second position to, in turn, enable said first transport means to be driven rapidly forward by said first biasing means, toward said first transport means forward position thereof;

second release means operably associated with said second transport retaining means to actuate said second transport retaining means to release said second transport means from said second transport means retracted position, when said first transport means substantially reaches said first transport means forward position thereof, to, in turn, enable said second transport means to be driven rapidly forward to said second transport means forward position thereafter, by said second biasing means;

automatic tissue sample inspection means for enabling the facilitated reorientation of said second transport means relative to said first transport means after removal of said biopsy needle system from said tissue being sampled, with the first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, in said intermediate position in the rearward region, with the second transport means, and, in turn, the second needle in said second transport means retracted position, exposing said tissue holding region and said sampled tissue removed as a result of said tissue sampling procedure; and

safety means operably associated with at least said first release means and said cocking means to preclude inadvertent actuation of at least said first release means and, in turn, said first transport means thereof,

said safety means including a stop member, operably configured to be automatically positioned to physically preclude actuation of at least said first release means, by releasably immobilizing said first release means, upon actuation of said cocking means.

19. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said automatic tissue sample inspection means comprises:

a detent member operably disposed on said first transport means, to disengage said first transport means from said cocking means; and

an engagement member, operably disposed on said second transport means, to position said detent member into engagement with said cocking means, when said second transport means is in said second transport means retracted position, and said first transport means is in said intermediate position,

said cocking means and said first transport means and said second transport means being operably configured such that upon actuation of said cocking means after removal of said biopsy needle system from the tissue being sampled, said second transport means may be drawn to said second transport means retracted position thereof for retention by said second transport retaining means to expose said tissue holding region while said first needle is oriented to said intermediate position,

said engagement member placing said detent member into engagement with said cocking means, during said actuation, whereupon further actuation of said cocking means, said first transport means is repositioned from said intermediate position into said first transport means retracted position thereof for retention by said first transport retaining means, thereby enabling tissue re-sampling by said apparatus.

20. An automatic tissue sampling apparatus for use with a biopsy needle system of the kind including a first needle having a shaft member and two ends, a first handle disposed at one end of the shaft member, a cutting point disposed at the other end of the shaft member, and a tissue holding region positioned between the cutting point and the first handle;

and a second needle having a hollow shaft and two ends, a cutting point disposed at one end of the hollow shaft, a second handle with a passageway arranged therethrough for telescopic receipt and reciprocation of said first needle therewithin, and particularly for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of said biopsy needle system during a biopsy procedure, said automatic tissue sampling apparatus comprising;

housing means having a forward region, a rearward region, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

first transport means operably disposed in said rearward region of said housing means, for reciprocating movement, between a first transport means forward position through an intermediate position, to a first transport means retracted position therewithin said rearward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means;

second transport means operably disposed in said forward region of said housing means for reciprocating movement between a second transport means forward position and a second transport means retracted position therewithin said forward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means,

said first transport means and said second transport means being configured to receive and longitudinally move, in said reciprocating directions, said first handle of said first needle and said second handle of said second needle, respectively;

first biasing means operably arranged in said rearward region of said housing means for biasing said first transport means forwardly toward said first transport means forward position;

second biasing means, operably arranged in said forward region of said housing means, for biasing said second transport means forwardly toward said second transport means forward position;

integrated cocking means, operably associated with said first transport means and said second transport means, for commonly positioning said first transport means, into said first transport means retracted position thereof, within said rearward region, and for positioning said second transport means, into said second transport means retracted position thereof, within said forward region;

said cocking means being configured so that when first actuated, said second transport means are initially oriented toward said second transport means retracted position while said first transport means remains oriented in said first transport means forward position, further actuation of said cocking means servinq to position said second transport means to said second transport means retracted position and further serving to position said first transport means to said intermediate position, and said first transport means being thereafter further oriented from said intermediate position to said first transport means retracted position by a subsequent actuation of said cocking means;

said second transport means includinq positioning means for operably prompting said first transport means into said intermediate position, durinq said first actuation of said cocking means, and for maintaining said first transport means in said intermediate position until said subsequent actuation of said cocking means;

first transport retaining means operably associated with said first transport means for releasably retaining said first transport means in said first transport means retracted position;

second transport retaining means operably associated with said second transport means for releasably retaining said second transport means in said second transport means retracted position;

first release means operably associated with said first transport retaining means to actuate said first transport retaining means to release said first transport means from said first transport means retracted position to, in turn, enable said first transport means to be driven rapidly forward by said first biasing means, toward said first transport means forward position thereof;

second release means operably associated with said second transport retaining means to actuate said second transport retaining means to release said second transport means from said second transport means retracted position, when said first transport means substantially reaches said first transport means forward position thereof, to, in turn, enable said second transport means to be driven rapidly forward to said second transport means forward position thereafter, by said second biasing means;

automatic tissue sample inspection means for enabling the facilitated reorientation of said second transport means relative to said first transport means after removal of said biopsy needle system from said tissue being sampled, with the first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, in substantially its first transport means forward position in the rearward region, with the second transport means, and, in turn, the second needle in substantially said second transport means retracted position, exposing said tissue holding region and said sampled tissue removed as a result of said tissue sampling procedure.

21. An automatic tissue sampling apparatus for use with a biopsy needle system of the kind including a first needle having a shaft member and two ends, a first handle disposed at one end of the shaft member, a cutting point disposed at the other end of the shaft member, and a tissue holding region positioned between the cutting point and the first handle;

and a second needle having a hollow shaft and two ends, a cutting point disposed at one end of the hollow shaft, a second handle with a passageway arranged therethrough for telescopic receipt and reciprocation of said first needle therewithin, and particularly for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of said biopsy needle system during a biopsy procedure, said automatic tissue sampling apparatus comprising;

housing means having a forward region, a rearward region, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

first transport means operably disposed in said rearward region of said housing means, for reciprocating movement between a first transport means forward position, through an intermediate position, to a first transport means retracted position therewithin said rearward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means;

second transport means operably disposed in said forward region of said housing means for reciprocating movement between a second transport means forward position and a second transport means retracted position therewithin said forward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means,

said first transport means and said second transport means being configured to receive and longitudinally move, in said reciprocating directions, said first handle of said first needle and said second handle of said second needle, respectively;

first biasing means operably arranged in said rearward region of said housing means for biasing said first transport means forwardly toward said first transport means forward position;

second biasing means, operably arranged in said forward region of said housing means, for biasing said second transport means forwardly toward said second transport means forward position;

cocking means, integrally and operably associated with said first transport means and said second transport means, for drawing said first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, rearwardly into said first transport means retracted position thereof, within said rearward region, and for drawing said second transport means, and, in turn, said second needle, rearwardly into said second transport means retracted position thereof, within said forward region;

said cocking means being configured so that when first actuated, said second transport means are initially oriented toward said second transport means retracted position while said first transport means remains oriented in said first transport means forward position, further actuation of said cockincl means serving to position said second transport means to said second transport means retracted position and further servinq to position said first transport means to said intermediate position, and said first transport means being thereafter further oriented from said intermediate position to said first transport means retracted position by a subsequent actuation of said cocking means;

said second transport means including positioning means for operably prompting said first transport means into said intermediate position, during said first actuation of said cocking means, said for maintaininq said first transport means in said intermediate position until a subsequent actuation of said cocking means;

said cocking means including a single axially movable cocking shaft member operably arranged to extend through each of said first and second transport means and through said first and second biasing means, in parallel, spaced relation to said biopsy needle system,

said cocking shaft member being operably associated with each of first and second transport means for drawing said first transport means to said first transport means retracted position and said second transport means to said second transport means retracted position, upon actuation of said cocking means;

first transport retaining means operably associated with said first transport means for releasably retaining said first transport means in said first transport means retracted position;

second transport retaining means operably associated with said second transport means for releasably retaining said second transport means in said second transport means retracted position;

first release means operably associated with said first transport retaining means to actuate said first transport retaining means to release said first transport means from said first transport means retracted position to, in turn, enable said first transport means to be driven rapidly forward by said first biasing means, toward said first transport means forward position thereof;

second release means operably associated with said second transport retaining means to actuate said second transport retaining means to release said second transport means from said second transport means retracted position, when said first transport means substantially reaches said first transport means forward position thereof, to, in turn, enable said second transport means to be driven rapidly forward to said second transport means forward position thereafter, by said second biasing means.

22. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising:

automatic tissue sample inspection means for enabling the facilitated reorientation of said second transport means relative to said first transport means after removal of said biopsy needle system from said tissue being sampled, with the first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, in substantially its first transport means forward position in the rearward region, with the second transport means, and, in turn, the second needle in substantially said second transport means retracted position, exposing said tissue holding region and said sampled tissue removed as a result of said tissue sampling procedure.

23. An automatic tissue sampling apparatus, for use with a biopsy needle system of the kind including a first needle having a shaft member and two ends, a first handle disposed at one end of the shaft member, a cutting point disposed at the other end of the shaft member, and a tissue holding region positioned between the cutting point and the first handle;

and a second needle having a hollow shaft and two ends, a cutting point disposed at one end of the hollow shaft, a second handle with a passageway arranged therethrough for telescopic receipt and reciprocation of said first needle therewithin, and particularly for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of said biopsy needle system during a biopsy procedure, said automatic tissue sampling apparatus comprising;

housing means having a forward region, a rearward region, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

first transport means, operably disposed in said rearward region of said housing means, for reciprocating movement between a first transport means forward position, through an intermediate position, to a first transport means retracted position therewithin said rearward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means;

second transport means, operably disposed in said forward region of said housing means for reciprocating movement between a second transport means forward position and a second transport means retracted position therewithin said forward region, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said housing means,

said first transport means and said second transport means being configured to receive and longitudinally move, in said reciprocating directions, said first handle of said first needle and said second handle of said second needle, respectively;

first biasing means operably arranged substantially in said rearward region of said housing means for biasing said first transport means forwardly toward said first transport means forward position;

second biasing means, operably arranged substantially in said forward region of said housinq means, for biasing said second transport means forwardly toward said second transport means forward position within said forward region;

cocking means, integrally and operably associated with said first transport means and said second transport means, for drawing said first transport means, and, in turn, said first needle, rearwardly into said first transport means retracted position thereof, within said rearward region, and for drawing said second transport means, and, in turn, said second needle, rearwardly into said second transport means retracted position thereof, within said forward region,

said cocking means being configured so that when actuated, said second transport means are oriented to said second transport means retracted position, while said first transport means are oriented to said intermediate position, and said first transport means are thereafter further oriented from said intermediate position to said first transport means retracted position;

first transport retaining means operably associated with said first transport means for releasably retaining said first transport means in said first transport means retracted position;

second transport retaining means operably associated with said second transport means for releasably retaining said second transport means in said second transport means retracted position;

first release means operably associated with said first transport retaining means to actuate said first transport retaining means to release said first transport means from said retracted first transport means retracted position to, in turn, enable said first transport means to be driven rapidly forward by said first biasing means, toward said first transport means forward position thereof; and

second release means operably associated with said second transport retaining means to actuate said second transport retaining means to release said second transport means from said second transport means retracted position, when said first transport means substantially reaches said first transport means forward position thereof, to, in turn, enable said second transport means to be driven rapidly forward to said second transport means forward position thereafter, by said second biasing means;

said cocking means further including means for rearwardly displacing said first transport means, from said first transport means forward position to said intermediate position, as said second transport means approaches said second transport means retracted position, during said actuation of said cocking means,

said means for rearwardly displacing said first transport means including a rearwardly projecting horizontal member operably emanating from said second transport means; and

resilient reception means operably disposed substantially within a forward facing portion of said first transport means.

24. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said cocking means are operably configured such that, upon a first actuation of said cocking means, said second transport means are moved to said second transport means retracted position and said first transport means are moved to said intermediate position,

and upon a second actuation of said cocking means, said first transport means are moved to said first transport means retracted position, while said second transport means remain in said second transport means retracted position.