Connector for a replaceable biopsy needle
First Claim
1. An assembly for connecting the proximal end of a medical device to a handle, comprising:
- a body rigidly attached to the proximal end of the medical device;
a lever attached to the body and resiliently biased towards a first position; and
a lock-tab projecting from the lever away from the body.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector assembly is disclosed for connecting the proximal end of a medical device to a handle without compromising the sterility of the working (distal) end of the medical device. The connector assembly comprises a body that is rigidly attached to the proximal end of the medical device. A lever is attached to body and is resiliently biased towards a first position which engages the handle. A lock-tab projects from the lever in a direction generally away from the body and is shaped to be received in a lock-slot within the handle. The lock-tab and handle preferably are shaped to permit a snap-lock engagement of the handle and the body upon insertion of the body within the handle. This assembly can be used on a variety of medical devices and with a variety of handles. One industrial application is a biopsy needle having the connector assembly attached at its proximal end for a secure, snap-lock engagement to the handle.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An assembly for connecting the proximal end of a medical device to a handle, comprising:
-
a body rigidly attached to the proximal end of the medical device; a lever attached to the body and resiliently biased towards a first position; and a lock-tab projecting from the lever away from the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A needle assembly operable when connected to a handle mechanism, comprising:
-
a hollow needle having a distal tip and a proximal end; a body rigidly attached to the proximal end of the needle; a lever attached to the body and resiliently biased towards a first position; and a lock-tab projecting from the lever away from the body. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A biopsy needle kit, comprising:
-
a hollow needle having a distal tip and a proximal end; a body rigidly attached to the proximal end of the needle; a lever attached to the body and resiliently biased towards a first position; a lock-tab projecting from the lever away from the body; and a handle having an aperture sized to receive the body at the proximal end of the needle and having a lock-slot positioned within the aperture to receive the lock-tab; the lever camming toward the body during insertion of the body into the aperture and resiliently moving towards the first position when the lock-tab is received in the lock-slot. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification