System for improved tissue-handling and in line analysis of the tissue
First Claim
1. A tissue biopsy and imaging system, comprising:
- an imager comprising an imaging field;
a specimen holder; and
a biopsy device having a tissue output portion fluidly coupled to the specimen holder by a flexible tissue aspiration line, wherein the specimen holder is positioned in a fluid communication path between the biopsy device and a vacuum source so such that a tissue sample obtained with the biopsy device is delivered through the aspiration line into a tissue holding compartment of the specimen holder,wherein the system is configured to move the specimen holder relative to the imager in order to position the tissue holding compartment within the imaging field of the imager for imaging the tissue sample while the specimen holder remains positioned in the fluid communication path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for analysis of biopsy samples includes a tissue sample transport mechanism linking a biopsy sample excision tool to a tissue sample holder disposed in a staging area of an analysis unit. The tissue sample is automatically transported from the excision tool to the specimen holder, where the tissue sample is analyzed in the staging area of the analysis unit. The transport mechanism may include tubing and a vacuum source. The tissue sample holder may be configured to slow or temporarily stop a tissue sample for individual analysis, or collect multiple tissue samples for analysis as a group. A tissue sample sorting mechanism may be employed that allows separation of specimens that can be correlated to the analysis.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A tissue biopsy and imaging system, comprising:
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an imager comprising an imaging field; a specimen holder; and a biopsy device having a tissue output portion fluidly coupled to the specimen holder by a flexible tissue aspiration line, wherein the specimen holder is positioned in a fluid communication path between the biopsy device and a vacuum source so such that a tissue sample obtained with the biopsy device is delivered through the aspiration line into a tissue holding compartment of the specimen holder, wherein the system is configured to move the specimen holder relative to the imager in order to position the tissue holding compartment within the imaging field of the imager for imaging the tissue sample while the specimen holder remains positioned in the fluid communication path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A tissue biopsy and imaging system, comprising:
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an imager comprising an imaging field; and a biopsy device having a tissue output portion directly coupled to the imager by a tissue aspiration line, such that a tissue sample obtained with the biopsy device is delivered through the aspiration line to the imager for imaging, wherein the imager is configured to image the tissue sample as the tissue sample travels through the tissue aspiration line at a non-zero velocity.
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Specification