Abstract: A system for operating a catheter having a distal end adapted to be navigated in the body, and a proximal end having a handle with a translatable control and a rotatable control for acting on the distal end of the device includes a support for receiving and engaging the handle of the catheter; a translation mechanism for advancing and retracting the support to advance and retract a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a rotation mechanism for rotating the support to rotate a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a translation operator for engaging the translatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the translatable control to act on the distal end of the device; and a rotation operator for engaging the rotatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the rotatable control to act on the distal end of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a body (2), a plunger (5), and an occlusion (4). The body is able to hold one or more medical substances therein. The body defines a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The plunger is positioned within a portion of the body and is able to axially advance along the longitudinal axis. The plunger also defines an opening extending therethrough. The occlusion is able to extend through at least a portion of the opening of the plunger so that the plunger and the occlusion fluidly divide the body. The plunger is able to exert a first outward force against the body. The plunger is able to exert a second outward force against the body when the occlusion has been removed where the second outward force is less than the first outward force.

Abstract: A biopsy device such as a core sampling biopsy device compatible with use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment by being driven by either a pneumatic rotary motor or a piezoelectric drive motor is disclosed. The core sampling biopsy device obtains a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port. The inner cutter may be advanced in the cutter lumen past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample.

Abstract: A core sampling biopsy device is compatible with use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment by being driven by either a pneumatic rotary motor or a piezoelectric drive motor. The core sampling biopsy device obtains a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port. The inner cutter may be advanced in the cutter lumen past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample. A cutter drive assembly maintains a fixed gear ratio relationship between a cutter rotation speed and translation speed of the inner cutter regardless of the density of the tissue encountered to yield consistent sample size.