Disposable handle and needle assembly
First Claim
1. A disposable biopsy needle, comprising:
- an outer tube defining a first lumen, the outer tube having a proximal end and a tapering distal tip;
an inner tube defining a second lumen, the inner tube being disposed within the outer tube for rotatable movement therein and having a proximal end which extends proximal to the proximal end of the outer tube;
a knob affixed to the proximal end of the inner tube; and
a handle affixed to the proximal end of the outer tube, the handle having a bore therethrough, the bore including a distal bore portion which is sized to receive the outer tube and a proximal bore portion which is sized to receive the knob,wherein the knob is seated within the proximal bore portion,wherein the handle further includes a resiliently flexible lip positioned to overlie and constrict access to the proximal bore portion, the lip being deflected during insertion of the knob into the handle and returning to an undeflected state once the knob is seated within the proximal bore portion, whereby axial movement of the knob and the inner tube are restrained.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable biopsy needle of simple construction is disclosed. The biopsy needle includes inner and outer tubes which are affixed, respectively, to a knob and handle assembly. A resiliently flexible lip is positioned within the handle to overlie and constrict the aperture through which the knob is received during assembly of the inner needle and the outer needle. During assembly, the lip deflects as the knob passes into the handle and then returns to an undeflected state once the knob is fully seated within the handle. The lip restrains axial movement of the knob and the inner tube in the fully assembled biopsy needle. The knob may be provided with a knurled surface which engages the free end of a resiliently flexible tab disposed within the handle when the knob is rotated. The interaction of ridges and valleys on the knurled surface with the free end of the flexible tab provides a positive tactile and audible indication of the relative rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The disposable biopsy needle may be subjected to a sterilization process to provide a sterile biopsy needle. A method for assembling a disposable biopsy needle is also disclosed.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A disposable biopsy needle, comprising:
-
an outer tube defining a first lumen, the outer tube having a proximal end and a tapering distal tip; an inner tube defining a second lumen, the inner tube being disposed within the outer tube for rotatable movement therein and having a proximal end which extends proximal to the proximal end of the outer tube; a knob affixed to the proximal end of the inner tube; and a handle affixed to the proximal end of the outer tube, the handle having a bore therethrough, the bore including a distal bore portion which is sized to receive the outer tube and a proximal bore portion which is sized to receive the knob, wherein the knob is seated within the proximal bore portion, wherein the handle further includes a resiliently flexible lip positioned to overlie and constrict access to the proximal bore portion, the lip being deflected during insertion of the knob into the handle and returning to an undeflected state once the knob is seated within the proximal bore portion, whereby axial movement of the knob and the inner tube are restrained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for assembling a disposable biopsy needle, comprising the steps of:
-
providing an outer tube defining a first lumen, the outer tube having a proximal end and a tapering distal tip; providing an inner tube defining a second lumen, the inner tube being disposed within the outer tube for rotatable movement therein and having a proximal end which extends proximal to the proximal end of the outer tube; affixing a knob to the proximal end of the inner tube; and affixing a handle to the proximal end of the outer tube, the handle having a bore therethrough, the bore including a distal bore portion which is sized to receive the outer tube and a proximal bore portion which is sized to receive the knob, seating the knob into the handle by; sliding the distal end of the inner tube into the proximal end of the outer tube; deflecting a resiliently flexible lip positioned to overlie and constrict access to the proximal bore portion as the knob passes over the lip; and permitting the lip to return to an undeflected state once the knob is seated within the proximal bore portion, whereby axial movement of the knob and the inner tube are restrained. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification