Biopsy device with motorized needle cocking
First Claim
1. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
- (a) a needle having a tissue piercing tip and a transverse aperture proximal to the tip;
(b) a cutter configured to sever tissue protruding through the aperture;
(c) a body portion, wherein the needle is longitudinally movable relative to the body portion;
(d) a needle firing mechanism, wherein the needle firing mechanism comprises(i) a resilient member biased to urge the needle distally relative to the body portion when the needle is in a proximal position, and(ii) a motor operable to simultaneously retract the needle proximally relative to the body portion and compress the resilient member; and
(e) a trigger mechanism in communication with the needle firing mechanism, wherein the trigger mechanism comprises(i) a first actuator operable to activate the motor to retract the needle proximally relative to the body portion to cock the needle firing mechanism, and(ii) a second actuator operable to release the needle from the proximal position thereby allowing the resilient member to cause the needle to translate distally relative to the body portion, wherein the second actuator is configured to release the needle upon simultaneous actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A needle may be fired into tissue by a needle firing mechanism, which may include a fork for holding the needle and a firing rod coupled with the fork. A spring urges the fork to a distal, fired position. A screw gear is coupled with the rod. A sled is positioned at the proximal end of the rod. A catch is configured to engage the sled when the sled is moved to a proximal position. The screw gear is operable to convert rotational motion from a motor and gear set into linear motion to move the rod proximally to engage the sled with the catch, thereby cocking the needle firing mechanism. The motor may also be used to translate the screw gear distally relative to the rod after the sled has engaged with the catch. A trigger is used to fire the cocked needle firing mechanism.
246 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
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(a) a needle having a tissue piercing tip and a transverse aperture proximal to the tip; (b) a cutter configured to sever tissue protruding through the aperture; (c) a body portion, wherein the needle is longitudinally movable relative to the body portion; (d) a needle firing mechanism, wherein the needle firing mechanism comprises (i) a resilient member biased to urge the needle distally relative to the body portion when the needle is in a proximal position, and (ii) a motor operable to simultaneously retract the needle proximally relative to the body portion and compress the resilient member; and (e) a trigger mechanism in communication with the needle firing mechanism, wherein the trigger mechanism comprises (i) a first actuator operable to activate the motor to retract the needle proximally relative to the body portion to cock the needle firing mechanism, and (ii) a second actuator operable to release the needle from the proximal position thereby allowing the resilient member to cause the needle to translate distally relative to the body portion, wherein the second actuator is configured to release the needle upon simultaneous actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18)
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15. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
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(a) a needle having a tissue piercing tip; (b) a cutter configured to sever tissue in the needle; (c) a body portion, wherein the needle is longitudinally movable relative to the body portion; (d) a fork member coupled with a firing rod such that the fork member and the firing rod translate in a longitudinal direction unitarily, wherein the fork member is engaged with the needle to move the needle longitudinally; and (e) a needle firing mechanism, wherein the needle firing mechanism comprises; (i) a spring biased to urge the needle distally relative to the body portion, (ii) a motor operable to retract the needle proximally relative to the body portion against the urging of the spring, (iii) a screw gear in communication with the motor, wherein the screw gear is coupled with the firing rod such that the screw gear and firing rod translate unitarily in the longitudinal direction, wherein the motor is operable to rotate the screw gear thereby causing the screw gear, the firing rod, the fork member, and the needle to translate unitarily in the longitudinal direction, and (iv) an outer gear, wherein the outer gear comprises internal threads configured to engage the screw gear, wherein the outer gear is coaxially aligned with the screw gear, wherein the screw gear is configured to translate longitudinally relative to the outer gear. - View Dependent Claims (16, 19)
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Specification