Transport system for biopsy device

• US 8,864,680 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2005
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co), Conception ET Developpement Michelin S.A., Sonion Roskilde A/S
• Original Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Videbk, Karsten, Danborg, Lasse, Jrgensen, Martin Bondo, Staal, Lasse G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Towa, Rene
• Assistant Examiner(s): LLOYD, EMILY M
• Application Number:
  US11/631,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20080287826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,392 Days
• Field of Search: 600562-568, 606/167, 606/170
• US Class Current: 600/567
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• 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 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 2217/002 Auxiliary appliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/315 Basket-type carriers for tissues

Abstract

A biopsy device for harvesting tissue samples from a body of a living being, e.g. in percutaneous aspiration biopsy, includes an outer needle and a sample-receiving device for receiving a severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being movable in the hollow needle. The device includes a transport device for moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle, the transport device comprising a bendable elongate element, such as a steel wire, a toothed wire made from e.g. a plastics material or a Bowden cable capable of pushing and pulling the sample-receiving device in distal and proximal directions, respectively. A coiling device is provided for the bendable elongate element. The bendable elongate element and the coiling device may be included in a disposable unit, which is attachable to a hand-held unit including a motor for driving the transport device. Orientation means are provided for appropriately orienting the sample-receiving device with respect to the hollow needle.

Claims

1. A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the device comprising:

a hollow needle with a distal end portion having a cutting mechanism for severing the at least one tissue sample;

a sample-receiving device with a cavity for receiving the at least one severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being received in the hollow needle and movable in the hollow needle;

a drive mechanism configured to displace the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received in the cavity of the sample-receiving device;

a transport device including a bendable elongate element that is coupled to the sample-receiving device to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle, wherein the bendable elongate element is bendable away from the longitudinal direction of the hollow needle; and

a spiral-shaped wall arranged at a proximal end of the transport device, the spiral-shaped wall defines a spiral-shaped cavity, the spiral-shaped cavity configured to receive the bendable elongate element as the sample-receiving device is retracted through the hollow needle so that each successive winding of the bendable elongate element is separated from one another.

2. A biopsy device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow needle, the spiral-shaped wall, and the sample-receiving device form a disposable unit.

3. A biopsy device according to claim 1, wherein the sample-receiving device is movable in the hollow needle between a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein at the first extended position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is distal to the distal end of the hollow needle to facilitate severance of the at least one tissue sample by the cutting mechanism, and wherein at the second retracted position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is within the hollow needle.

4. A biopsy device of claim 1, wherein:

a sample retrieval location is located proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle;

the sample-receiving device is movable between a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein at the first extended position the sample-receiving device extends through the hollow needle so that the cavity of the sample-receiving device is distal to the distal end of the hollow needle to facilitate severance of the at least one tissue sample by the cutting mechanism, and wherein at the second retracted position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is positioned at the sample retrieval location; and

said transport device being further configured to retract the sample-receiving device through the hollow needle from the first extended position to the second retracted position while the hollow needle is displaced in the distal direction so as to position the cavity at the sample retrieval location within the biopsy device to facilitate delivery of the tissue sample to a sample container.

5. A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the device comprising:

a hollow needle with a distal end portion having a cutting mechanism for severing the at least one tissue sample;

a sample-receiving device with a cavity for receiving the at least one severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being received in the hollow needle and movable in the hollow needle;

a drive mechanism configured to displace the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received in the cavity of the sample-receiving device;

a transport device including a toothed flexible rack and a rotatable gear wheel, the toothed flexible rack coupled to the sample-receiving device to facilitate movement of the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle; and

a spiral wall arranged at a proximal end of the transport device, the spiral wall defining a spiral cavity configured to receive the toothed flexible rack as the sample-receiving device is retracted through the hollow needle so that each successive winding of the toothed flexible rack is separated from one another;

wherein the toothed flexible rack has a row of regularly spaced teeth, and the rotatable gear wheel has a rim with teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of the toothed flexible rack so as to move the toothed flexible rack and the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle when the transport device is operated.

6. A biopsy device according to claim 5, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a circumferential cutting edge.

7. A biopsy device according to claim 6, wherein the sample-receiving device is movable in the hollow needle between a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein at the first extended position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is distal to the distal end of the hollow needle to facilitate severance of the at least one tissue sample by the cutting mechanism, and wherein at the second retracted position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is within the hollow needle.

8. A biopsy device according to claim 7, wherein:

the drive mechanism is further configured to displace the hollow needle in the distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device such that the sample-receiving device is in the first extended position prior to the displacement of the hollow needle and is in the second retracted position after the displacement of the hollow needle;

the toothed flexible rack is configured to move the sample-receiving device between the first extended position and the second retracted position; and

the spiral cavity is configured to receive the toothed flexible rack as the sample-receiving device is retracted through the hollow needle from the first extended position to the second retracted position.

9. A biopsy device according to claim 5, wherein the sample-receiving device has a length which is shorter than a length of the hollow needle.

10. A biopsy device according to claim 5, further comprising a handle unit with a power source and a motor for driving the transport device, and wherein the transport device, the hollow needle and the sample-receiving device are comprised in a disposable unit, which is releasably secured to the handle unit.

11. A biopsy device according to claim 10, wherein the handle unit and the disposable unit are configured to be hand-held when secured to each other.

12. A disposable unit for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being and for releasable connection to an external unit of a biopsy device the disposable unit comprising:

a hollow needle with a distal end portion having a cutting mechanism configured to sever the at least one tissue sample;

a sample-receiving device with a cavity for receiving the at least one severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being received in the hollow needle and movable in the hollow needle;

a transport device coupled to the sample-receiving device and configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle, the transport device including a flexible elongate element that is configured to flex into a curved configuration when retracted;

a spiral wall arranged at a proximal end of the transport device, the spiral wall being configured to define a spiral path that receives the flexible elongate element as the sample-receiving device is retracted so that each successive winding of the flexible elongate element is spaced apart from one another; and

an interface configured for connecting the disposable unit to the external unit, and the interface being further configured to transmit a driving force of the external unit to the transport device.

13. A disposable unit for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being and for releasable connection to an external unit of a biopsy device the disposable unit comprising:

a hollow needle with a distal end portion having a cutting mechanism configured to sever the at least one tissue sample;

a sample-receiving device with a cavity for receiving the at least one severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being received in the hollow needle and movable in the hollow needle;

a transport device including a bendable elongate element coupled to the sample-receiving device, the transport device being configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle;

a coiling device configured for coiling up the bendable elongate element as the sample-receiving device is retracted by the transport device, the coiling device comprising a spiral wall arranged at a proximal end of the transport device, the spiral wall being configured to define a spiral path that receives the bendable elongate element as the sample-receiving device is retracted so that each successive winding of the bendable elongate element is separated from one another; and

an interface configured for connecting the disposable unit to the external unit, and the interface being further configured to transmit a driving force of the external unit to the transport device.

14. A biopsy device according to claim 13, wherein the sample-receiving device is movable in the hollow needle between a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein at the first extended position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is distal to the distal end of the hollow needle to facilitate severance of the at least one tissue sample by the cutting mechanism, and wherein at the second retracted position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is within the hollow needle.

15. A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being the device comprising:

a hollow needle with a distal end portion having a cutting mechanism for severing the at least one tissue sample;

a sample-receiving device with a cavity for receiving the at least one severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being received in the hollow needle and movable in the hollow needle;

a drive mechanism configured to displace the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received in the cavity of the sample-receiving device;

a transport device including a flexible elongate element that is coupled to the sample-receiving device to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the first extended position and the second retracted position; and

a spiral-shaped wall arranged at a proximal end of the transport device, the spiral-shaped wall defines a spiral-shaped cavity, the spiral-shaped cavity configured to receive the flexible elongate element as the sample-receiving device is retracted through the hollow needle, and the spiral-shaped cavity is further configured to prevent the received portion of the flexible elongate element from contacting successive windings of the flexible elongate element.

16. The biopsy device of claim 15, wherein:

a sample retrieval location is located proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle;

the sample-receiving device is movable between a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein at the first extended position the sample receiving device extends through the hollow needle so that the cavity of the sample-receiving device is distal to the distal end of the hollow needle to facilitate severance of the at least one tissue sample by the cutting mechanism, and wherein at the second retracted position the cavity of the sample-receiving device is positioned at the sample retrieval location; and

said transport device being further configured to retract the sample-receiving device through the hollow needle from the first extended position to the second retracted position while the hollow needle is displaced in the distal direction so as to position the cavity at the sample retrieval location within the biopsy device to facilitate delivery of the tissue sample to a sample container.

17. A biopsy device according to claim 16, further comprising a liquid supply unit adapted to carry a flushing liquid, the liquid supply unit having a sample flushing chamber that is located at the sample retrieval location and is aligned in fluid communication with the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is positioned in the second retracted position, the liquid supply unit configured to facilitate ejection of the tissue sample from the cavity by liquid flushing when the sample-receiving device is positioned in the second retracted position.

18. The biopsy device of claim 15, further comprising a swivel coupling interposed between the flexible elongate element and the sample-receiving device.

19. A biopsy device according to claim 15, wherein the cavity in the sample-receiving device has a lateral opening.

20. A biopsy device according to claim 15, wherein the flexible elongate element is configured to flex away from the longitudinal direction of the hollow needle.

21. A biopsy device according to claim 15, wherein the flexible elongate element comprises a steel wire.

22. A biopsy device according to claim 21, wherein the steel wire comprises two or more twisted wires.

23. A biopsy device according to claim 15, wherein the flexible elongate element has a longitudinally extending portion of noncircular cross section.

24. A biopsy device according to claim 15, wherein the sample-receiving device is movable in the hollow needle along an axis of movement, and wherein at least one of the hollow needle and the sample-receiving device is configured to orient the sample-receiving device relative to the hollow needle in a plane perpendicular to the axis of movement.

25. A biopsy device according to claim 15, wherein the sample-receiving device and the hollow needle are arranged along an axis of movement and are shaped so that relative rotational displacement between the sample-receiving device and the hollow needle in a plane perpendicular to the axis of movement is prevented.

26. A biopsy device according to claim 15, further comprising a vacuum pump for generating suction in the cavity of the sample-receiving device, the vacuum pump being in fluid communication with the cavity of the sample-receiving device through a longitudinally extending passage in the sample-receiving device.