×

Biopsy instrument with improved needle penetration

  • US 7,470,237 B2
  • Filed: 01/10/2005
  • Issued: 12/30/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A reciprocating needle biopsy device, comprising:

  • (i) a housing;

    (ii) a needle having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said needle being slidably retained at said proximal portion thereof within said housing, wherein the needle has a closed distal tip;

    (iii) a firing mechanism adapted to releasably engage said needle, said firing mechanism comprising a firing member and a first spring configured to move said needle longitudinally in a distal direction, from a default position to a release position, wherein the release position is distal to the default position, wherein further said firing mechanism is adapted to disengage said needle at said release position, wherein said firing member is configured to move within said housing between a first position and a second position, wherein said first position is located distally of said second position, wherein said first spring comprises a first portion in communication with said firing member and a second portion in communication with a fixed portion of said housing, such that said first spring is adapted to store potential energy when said firing member is moved proximally within said housing from said first position to said second position, wherein further said first spring is adapted to convert the stored potential energy to kinetic energy, by urging the firing member distally, once the firing member reaches the second position;

    (iv) an actuating member, wherein the actuating member is configured to actuate the firing mechanism, wherein the actuating member is configured to releasably engage the firing member, wherein the actuating member is configured to disengage the firing member at the second position; and

    (v) a second spring comprising a first portion in communication with said needle and a second portion in communication with a fixed portion of said housing, such that said second spring is adapted to store potential energy when said needle is moved in the distal direction from said default position to said release position, wherein further said second spring is adapted to convert the stored potential energy to kinetic energy, by urging the needle proximally, once said needle disengages said firing mechanism;

    wherein actuation of the firing mechanism performs a sequential action of moving the firing member in a proximal direction within the housing from the first position to the second position, while storing potential energy in the first spring, immediately followed by disengagement of the actuating member from the firing member once the firing member has reached the second position, thereby enabling the firing member to move distally toward the needle under the urging of the first spring, immediately followed by the firing member engaging the needle and moving said needle, in a distal direction, away from the housing, from the default position to the release position while storing potential energy in said second spring immediately followed by disengagement of the firing member from said needle enabling immediate return of said needle from the release position to the default position, in a proximal direction, opposite to the distal direction and toward the housing, under the urging of said second spring to complete a first reciprocating motion of said needle.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×