Transport system for biopsy device
First Claim
1. A biopsy device for removing at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the biopsy device comprising:
- a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;
a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device configured to move in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position, the sample-receiving device having a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample;
a drive mechanism configured to displace the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received by the sample-receiving device;
a power-driven element having a motor;
a transport device drivably coupled to the motor, the transport device including a drive gear and a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with the drive gear, the toothed flexible member having a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device, the toothed flexible member configured to move along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the extended position and the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle; and
a housing element having a helical coiling-up groove configured to accommodate the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted to the retracted position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biopsy device includes a hollow needle, and a sample-receiving device that is movable in the hollow needle. A power-driven element having a motor is provided. A transport device is drivably coupled to the motor. The transport device includes a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with a drive gear. The toothed flexible member has a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device. The toothed flexible member is configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position. The toothed flexible member has a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle. A housing element has a helical coiling-up groove configured to accommodate the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted to the retracted position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A biopsy device for removing at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the biopsy device comprising:
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a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end; a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device configured to move in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position, the sample-receiving device having a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample; a drive mechanism configured to displace the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received by the sample-receiving device; a power-driven element having a motor; a transport device drivably coupled to the motor, the transport device including a drive gear and a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with the drive gear, the toothed flexible member having a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device, the toothed flexible member configured to move along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the extended position and the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle; and a housing element having a helical coiling-up groove configured to accommodate the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted to the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A disposable biopsy unit for releasable attachment to a handle unit, the disposable biopsy unit comprising:
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a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end; a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device configured to move in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position, the sample-receiving device having a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample; a transport device including a drive gear and a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with the drive gear, the toothed flexible member having a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device, the toothed flexible member configured to move along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the extended position and the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle; and a housing element having a helical coiling-up groove configured to receive the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member as the sample-receiving device is retracted to the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification