Dual action aspiration biopsy needle

• US 6,709,408 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medical Device Technologies, Inc. (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Biopsy Sciences LLC
• Inventors: Fisher, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/065,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20030236471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 600/562, 600/564, 600/565-567, 600/570, 600/571, 600/573, 600/576, 600/582, 606/79, 606/160, 606/167, 606/170, 606/171, 606/181, 606/184, 606/185, 604/22, 604/44, 604/164.01, 604/164.11, 604/264, 604/272
• US Class Current: 600/570
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample
• 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 10/04 Endoscopic instruments

Abstract

A dual action biopsy needle scrapes tissue of cellular thickness from a lesion during forward and rearward reciprocations of the needle along its longitudinal axis of symmetry. A first sharp edge, formed by a beveled distal end of the needle, scrapes tissue during proximal-to-distal travel of the needle. A second sharp edge is provided by a transversely disposed slot formed in the needle near the first sharp edge. The second sharp edge scrapes tissue during distal-to-proximal travel of the needle. In a first embodiment, the second sharp edge is coincident with an exterior surface of the needle. In a second embodiment, the second sharp edge is elevated with respect to the exterior surface and in a third embodiment the second sharp edge is recessed. Additional embodiments include a second slot, a channel, and a hinge for enabling pivotal movement of the second and third sharp edges.

Claims

1. An aspiration biopsy needle, comprising:

a needle of elongate, hollow construction having a proximal end and a beveled distal end;

said needle having a uniform diameter along an extent of said needle;

said beveled distal end being open and therefore forming a first sharp edge adapted to scrape cellular material when said needle is inserted into tissue, said needle being displaced from a proximal position to a distal position during insertion;

a slot formed in said needle near said beveled distal end;

said slot being transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of said needle;

said slot also being angled relative to a transverse axis of said needle such that a bottom of said slot is positioned distal to an opening of said slot;

said opening of said slot being in open communication with an exterior surface of said needle;

said slot including a second sharp edge adapted to scrape tissue of cellular size when said needle is displaced from a distal position to a proximal position; and

means for communicating a vacuum to said proximal end of said needle so that cellular material removed by said first sharp edge during proximal-to-distal travel of said needle is pulled into a lumen of said needle and so that cellular material removed by said second sharp edge during distal-to-proximal travel of said needle is also pulled into said lumen;

whereby said cellular material is deposited from said lumen onto a slide, stained, and subjected to microscopic inspection in the absence of any need to mechanically slice said cellular material.

2. The needle of claim 1, wherein said slot has a circumferential extent of about one half the circumference of said open-ended, hollow needle.

3. The needle of claim 1, wherein said second sharp edge is elevated with respect to an exterior surface of said needle.

4. The needle of claim 1, wherein said second sharp edge is recessed with respect to said exterior surface of said needle.

5. The needle of claim 1, further comprising a hinge means to which said second sharp edge is mounted to enable pivotal movement of said second sharp edge.

6. The needle of claim 1, wherein a material to which cellular material clings is applied to said first and second sharp edges.