Surgical biopsy device having automatic rotation of the probe for taking multiple samples

• US 6,620,111 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ladd, Douglas N., Kretchman, John A., Hileman, Mark D., Stephens, Randy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/839,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20020156395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 600/564-568, 600/562, 606/167, 606/170, 606/171, 604/22, 604/164.01, 604/164.11
• 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 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 2010/0225 for taking multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a biopsy device and method for the collection of at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The device includes a frame and an elongated piercing element attached to the distal end of the frame. The piercing element has a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The piercing element has a sharpened member at its distal end for piercing tissue, and a port proximal thereto which exposes the lumen. The device further includes an elongated cutter and tissue remover disposed coaxially and slidably within the lumen of the piercing element for harvesting a tissue mass disposed within the port of the piercing element and depositing the tissue mass proximal to the port for retrieval. Lastly, the device includes a mechanism for automatically axially rotating the piercing element after severing a sample so multiple samples can be harvested about a longitudinal axis of the piercing element without manually rotating the piercing element.

Claims

1. A biopsy probe for collection of at least one soft tissue sample from a surgical patient, said biopsy probe comprising:

a. a frame having a distal end and a proximal end;

b. an elongated piercing element attached to the distal end of said frame, said piercing element having a sharpened distal end and a port proximal thereto for receiving a tissue mass;

c. an elongated cutter disposed within said piercing element, for harvesting a tissue mass received within said port of said piercing element; and

d. a device for automatically axially rotating said piercing after severing a sample, wherein said device for automatically axially rotating said piercing element is at least partially disposed on said cutter, and whereby multiple samples can be harvested about a longitudinal axis of said piercing element without manually rotating said piercing element.

2. The probe of claim 1, wherein when said device is engaged, rotation of said cutter affects rotation of said piercing element.

3. The probe of claim 2, further including a control unit for activating both the cutter, so that a tissue sample can be harvested, and said device so that said piercing element can be rotated.

4. The probe of claim 1, wherein said cutter comprises an elongated tube having a cutting blade at a distal end of said tube, wherein said tube is axially and rapidly rotated and advanced distally within said port to harvest a tissue mass.

5. The probe of claim 4, wherein said device for automatically axially rotating said piercing element comprises a first member disposed on said cutter, said first member cooperating with a second member which is connected to said piercing element, such that when said first and second members are engaged with each other, rotation of said cutter affects rotation of said piercing element.

6. The probe of claim 5 further including a control unit for activating both the cutter, so that a tissue sample can be harvested, and said device, so that said piercing element can be rotated.

7. A biopsy probe for collection of at least one soft tissue sample from a surgical patient, said biopsy probe comprising:

a. a frame having a distal end and a proximal end;

b. an elongated piercing element attached to the distal end of said frame, said piercing element having a sharpened distal end and a port proximal thereto for receiving a tissue mass;

c. an elongated Cutter disposed within said piercing element, for harvesting a tissue mass received within said port of said piercing element; and

d. a means for automatically axially rotating said piercing element after severing a sample, wherein said means for automatically axially rotating said piercing element is at least partially disposed on said cutter, and whereby multiple samples can be harvested about a longitudinal axis of said piercing element without manually rotating said piercing element.

8. The probe of claim 7, wherein when said means is engaged, rotation of said cutter affects rotation of said piercing element.

9. The probe of claim 8, further including a control unit for activating both the cutter, so that a tissue sample can be harvested, and said means so that said piercing element can be rotated.

10. The probe of claim 7, wherein said cutter comprises an elongated tube having a cutting blade at a distal end of said tube, wherein said tube is axially and rapidly rotated and advanced distally within said port to harvest a tissue mass.

11. The probe of claim 10, wherein said means for automatically axially rotating said piercing element comprises a first member disposed on said cutter, said first member cooperating with a second member which is connected to said piercing element, such that when said first and second members are engaged with each other, rotation of said cutter affects rotation of said piercing element.

12. The probe of claim 11, further including a control unit for activating both the cutter, so that a tissue sample can be harvested, and said means, so that said piercing element can be rotated.

13. A method for rotating a biopsy probe about a longitudinal axis thereof comprising the steps of:

a. providing a biopsy probe comprising an elongated piercing element having a sharpened distal end and a port proximal thereto, and an elongated tubular cutter disposed coaxially and slidably within a lumen of said piercing element, said cuter having a cutting blade attached to a distal end thereof;

b. covering said port of said piercing element by advancing said cutter to a first distal position;

c. inserting said probe within a patient;

d. exposing said port of said piercing element by withdrawing said cutter to a first proximal position, and thereafter placing tissue within said port;

e. placing a tissue sample within said cutter by rotating and advancing said cutter to said first distal position;

f. rotating said piercing element a predetermined number of degrees by advancing said cutter to a second distal position, distal to said first distal position, and thereafter rotating said cutter said predetermined number of degrees to affect rotation of said piercing element; and

g. withdrawing said cutter to a second proximal position which is proximal to said first proximal position and retrieving the tissue sample.