Biopsy apparatus with vacuum relief
First Claim
1. A biopsy apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a distal end;
an outer cannula defining first inner lumen and a tissue-receiving opening adjacent a distal end of said outer cannula, said first inner lumen having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, said tissue receiving opening communicating with said first inner lumen, said first inner lumen having an open proximal end that terminates at said distal end of said housing;
an inner cannula slidably disposed within said first inner lumen of said outer cannula and defining second inner lumen from an open distal end to an open proximal end, said second inner lumen being coaxial with said longitudinal axis of said first inner lumen, said inner cannula defining a cutting edge at said open distal end operable to sever tissue projecting through said tissue-receiving opening of said outer cannula;
at least one motor that is capable of performing at least one of the following operations;
rotating said inner cannula within said outer cannula; and
translating said inner cannula within said outer cannula;
a vacuum source in fluid communication with said second inner lumen of said inner cannula to aspirate tissue through said second inner lumen; and
a leak path positioned substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said first and second inner lumens at said distal end of said housing and adjacent said proximal end of said first inner lumen such that the leak path is positioned outside of tissue when the biopsy device is in operation and the tissue receiving opening is positioned within tissue, wherein said leak path provides communication between said outer cannula and the atmosphere at said proximal end of said first inner lumen; and
wherein said first inner lumen is selectively in communication with said second inner lumen such that said leak path operates to selectively relieve vacuum distally of tissue that has been cut, while vacuum is continuously applied to said second inner lumen and delivered to tissue through said second inner lumen to aspirate tissue through said second inner lumen when said tissue receiving opening is positioned within tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biopsy apparatus including a housing having a distal end, an outer cannula, an inner cannula, at least one motor, a vacuum source, and a leak path is disclosed. The outer cannula defines a first inner lumen having an open proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough that communicates with a tissue receiving opening. The inner cannula is slidably disposed within the first inner lumen and defines a second inner lumen that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the first inner lumen. The motor moves the inner cannula within the outer cannula. The vacuum source in fluid communication with the second inner lumen, aspirates tissue through the second inner lumen. The leak path is in communication with the atmosphere and is positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first and second inner lumens to relieve vacuum behind tissue that is being aspirated though the second inner lumen.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A biopsy apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a distal end; an outer cannula defining first inner lumen and a tissue-receiving opening adjacent a distal end of said outer cannula, said first inner lumen having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, said tissue receiving opening communicating with said first inner lumen, said first inner lumen having an open proximal end that terminates at said distal end of said housing; an inner cannula slidably disposed within said first inner lumen of said outer cannula and defining second inner lumen from an open distal end to an open proximal end, said second inner lumen being coaxial with said longitudinal axis of said first inner lumen, said inner cannula defining a cutting edge at said open distal end operable to sever tissue projecting through said tissue-receiving opening of said outer cannula; at least one motor that is capable of performing at least one of the following operations; rotating said inner cannula within said outer cannula; and translating said inner cannula within said outer cannula; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said second inner lumen of said inner cannula to aspirate tissue through said second inner lumen; and a leak path positioned substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said first and second inner lumens at said distal end of said housing and adjacent said proximal end of said first inner lumen such that the leak path is positioned outside of tissue when the biopsy device is in operation and the tissue receiving opening is positioned within tissue, wherein said leak path provides communication between said outer cannula and the atmosphere at said proximal end of said first inner lumen; and wherein said first inner lumen is selectively in communication with said second inner lumen such that said leak path operates to selectively relieve vacuum distally of tissue that has been cut, while vacuum is continuously applied to said second inner lumen and delivered to tissue through said second inner lumen to aspirate tissue through said second inner lumen when said tissue receiving opening is positioned within tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A biopsy apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a distal end; an outer cannula defining a first inner lumen and a tissue-receiving opening adjacent a distal end of said outer cannula, said tissue receiving opening communicating with said first inner lumen, said first inner lumen having an open proximal end; an outer cannula engagement hub that includes an engagement bore that supports a proximal end of said outer cannula;
wherein said outer cannula engagement hub is connected to said distal end of said housing such that said proximal end of said outer cannula terminates at said distal end of said housing;an inner cannula slidably disposed within said first inner lumen of said outer cannula and defining a second inner lumen from an open distal end to an open proximal end, said inner cannula defining a cutting edge at said open distal end operable to sever tissue projecting through said tissue-receiving opening of said outer cannula; at least one motor that is capable of performing at least one of the following operations; rotating said inner cannula within said outer cannula; and translating said inner cannula within said outer cannula; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said second inner lumen of said inner cannula to aspirate tissue through said second inner lumen; and a leak path positioned at said distal end of said housing and adjacent said proximal end of said first inner lumen, wherein said leak path provides communication between said outer cannula and the atmosphere at said proximal end of said first inner lumen; wherein said first inner lumen is selectively in communication with said second inner lumen such that said leak path operates to selectively relieve vacuum distally of tissue that has been cut while vacuum is continuously applied to said second inner lumen and delivered to tissue through said second inner lumen to aspirate the tissue through said second inner lumen while a portion of the biopsy apparatus, including the tissue receiving opening, is positioned within tissue being biopsied. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A biopsy apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a distal end; an outer cannula defining first inner lumen and a tissue-receiving opening adjacent a distal end of said outer cannula, said tissue receiving opening communicating with said first inner lumen, said first inner lumen having an open proximal end that terminates adjacent said distal end of said housing; an inner cannula slidably disposed within said first inner lumen of said outer cannula and defining second inner lumen from an open distal end to an open proximal end, said inner cannula defining a cutting edge at said open distal end operable to sever tissue projecting through said tissue-receiving opening of said outer cannula; at least one motor that is capable of performing at least one of the following operations; rotating said inner cannula within said outer cannula; and translating said inner cannula within said outer cannula; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said second inner lumen of said inner cannula, wherein the vacuum source provides continuous vacuum to aspirate tissue through said second inner lumen; and a leak path that provides communication between said outer cannula and the atmosphere when a portion of the biopsy apparatus, including said tissue receiving opening, is positioned within tissue being biopsied; and wherein said first inner lumen is in selective communication with said second inner lumen such that said leak path operates to selectively relieve vacuum that builds up distally of tissue that has been cut while vacuum is continuously applied to said second inner lumen and delivered to tissue through said second inner lumen to aspirate the tissue through said second inner lumen due to the continuous vacuum generated by said vacuum source while the portion of the biopsy apparatus, including said tissue receiving opening, is positioned within tissue being biopsied. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification