Length detection system for biopsy device
First Claim
1. A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the device comprising:
- a handle unit;
a longitudinally extending hollow needle with a distal end portion adapted to be introduced into the body, the distal end portion of the hollow needle having a cutting edge configured to sever the at least one tissue sample;
a sample-receiving device with a closed distal end and a side accessible cavity proximal to the closed distal end, the cavity configured to receive the at least one tissue sample severed by the cutting edge of the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device configured to be received in the hollow needle and longitudinally displaced therein between a first extended position, in which the cavity of the sample-receiving device projects from the distal end portion of the hollow needle, and a second retracted position, in which the cavity of the sample-receiving device is in a proximal position with respect to the distal end portion of the hollow needle, and in which the at least one tissue sample can be ejected from said cavity;
a transport device configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the first extended position and the second retracted position;
a control system configured to control movement of the transport device and configured to arrest the sample-receiving device in the second retracted position to facilitate retrieval from within the biopsy device of the at least one tissue sample from the cavity;
wherein the hollow needle and the sample-receiving device are comprised in a disposable unit configured to be releasably attached to the handle unit to facilitate disposal of the disposable unit apart from the handle unit such that the handle unit is reusable for multiple biopsy procedures, andwherein the control system is configured to automatically detect a distance between the first extended position and the second retracted position of the sample-receiving device.
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Abstract
A biopsy device includes a handle unit, a hollow needle comprised in a disposable unit, which is releasably attached to the handle unit, and a sample-receiving device, which is movable in the hollow needle between two positions. Tissue is severed when the sample-receiving device is in a first one of the positions, and the severed tissue sample is ejected from the sample-receiving device in a second one of the two positions. A control system is provided for controlling movement of the sample-receiving device and for arresting the sample-receiving device in the second position. The distance between the two positions and/or a length of the hollow needle may be detectable in a calibration cycle, which is automatically initiated upon attachment of the disposable unit to the handle unit. The disposable unit may include electronic memory device for communicating with the control system.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the device comprising:
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a handle unit; a longitudinally extending hollow needle with a distal end portion adapted to be introduced into the body, the distal end portion of the hollow needle having a cutting edge configured to sever the at least one tissue sample; a sample-receiving device with a closed distal end and a side accessible cavity proximal to the closed distal end, the cavity configured to receive the at least one tissue sample severed by the cutting edge of the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device configured to be received in the hollow needle and longitudinally displaced therein between a first extended position, in which the cavity of the sample-receiving device projects from the distal end portion of the hollow needle, and a second retracted position, in which the cavity of the sample-receiving device is in a proximal position with respect to the distal end portion of the hollow needle, and in which the at least one tissue sample can be ejected from said cavity; a transport device configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the first extended position and the second retracted position; a control system configured to control movement of the transport device and configured to arrest the sample-receiving device in the second retracted position to facilitate retrieval from within the biopsy device of the at least one tissue sample from the cavity; wherein the hollow needle and the sample-receiving device are comprised in a disposable unit configured to be releasably attached to the handle unit to facilitate disposal of the disposable unit apart from the handle unit such that the handle unit is reusable for multiple biopsy procedures, and wherein the control system is configured to automatically detect a distance between the first extended position and the second retracted position of the sample-receiving device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A disposable unit for a biopsy device, the biopsy device having a control system, the disposable unit comprising:
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a longitudinally extending hollow needle with a distal end portion adapted to be introduced into the body of a living being, the distal end portion of the hollow needle having a cutting edge configured to sever at least one tissue sample; a sample-receiving device with a cavity configured to receive the at least one severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device configured to be received in the hollow needle and configured to be longitudinally displaced therein between a first extended position, in which the cavity of the sample-receiving device projects from the distal end portion of the hollow needle, and a second retracted position, in which the cavity of the sample-receiving device is in a proximal position with respect to the distal end portion of the hollow needle, the second retracted position defining a position within the biopsy device for ejection of the at least one tissue sample from the cavity; and a transport device configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the first extended position and the second retracted position, wherein the transport device includes; a bendable elongate element having an end attached to the sample-receiving device and having a tooth surface; a driven rotatable gear wheel engaged with the toothed surface of the transport device; and a coiling device configured to coil the bendable elongate element along a longitudinal path defined by the longitudinally extending hollow needle as the sample-receiving device is moved linearly by operation of the driven rotatable gear from the first extended position to the second retracted position, relative to the distal end portion of the hollow needle; and a physical non-transitory electronic memory device communicatively coupled to the control system, the physical non-transitory electronic memory device being configured to store information representative of a distance between the first extended position and the second retracted position of the sample-receiving device and configured to provide the information to the control system.
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Specification