Abstract: A biopsy assembly includes a biopsy device, a vacuum source, and a valve assembly. The biopsy device includes a body, a needle extending distally from the body, and a cutter translatable relative to the needle. The needle includes a lateral tissue receiving aperture. The cutter is translatable to selectively close the lateral tissue receiving aperture of the needle. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the needle. The valve assembly includes a first valve, a second valve, and tubular member. Each of the first valve and the second valve selectively provide atmospheric venting or vacuum to the needle. The tubular member is coupled with the vacuum source and includes a first and second connector extending transversely from the tubular member. The first and second connectors couple to the first and second valves to provide vacuum to the first and second valves.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. The probe includes a needle and a hollow cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a housing having one or more chambers that are configured to receive a removable tray including one or more prongs and a bulk chamber of a different volume than the one or more chambers. The housing is releasably engageable with the probe. Each tray prong is configured to receive a tissue sample communicated through the cutter lumen. The tray is removable from the housing, such as along an axial direction. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively index each chamber to the cutter lumen. The trays may be flexible, resilient, or rigid.

Abstract: A marker deployment tool may comprise a marker cannula having a lateral deployment aperture, a push rod slidably disposed within the marker cannula and a scalloped tip coupled to the distal end of the marker cannula. The scalloped tip may have a push rod recess configured to receive a portion of the distal end of the push rod such that the push rod does not appreciably extend out of the lateral deployment aperture when the push rod is actuated distally. The marker deployment tool may further comprise a magnet at or near the distal end. This magnet may be used in combination with a magnet or plurality of magnets disposed about an access chamber in a tissue sample holder to assist the user in aligning the marker deployment tool. The access chamber in the tissue sample holder may also include a valve, two valves, or a removable plug.

Abstract: A biopsy marker delivery device are described. The delivery device can include a relatively flexible hollow tube, a pushing member such as a push rod disposed for sliding with the tube, and at least one marker disposed in the tube. A marker blocking member is disposed distal of the distal most marker, and is disposed at least partially within the hollow tube to assist in preventing premature deployment of a marker from the hollow tube. A portion of the blocking member may disposed in the hollow tube, and another portion of the member may be operatively associated with a portion of the package such that when the marker delivery device is removed from the package, the member is removed from the marker delivery device.

Abstract: A biopsy system comprises an introducer, a biopsy device having a needle, and a marker applier. The introducer may include a closed distal tip, a lateral aperture, a proximally facing interior wall, and a ramp that guides the closed distal end of a marker applier up and into abutment with the wall as the applier is fed into the introducer. The needle of the biopsy device includes a blunt distal end and features providing clearance for the ramp as the blunt distal end is brought into abutment with the wall when the needle is fed into the introducer. The introducer may alternatively include an open distal end having resiliently biased leaves that bear against an inserted biopsy device needle. In some other versions, a fin projects laterally from the closed distal end of a marker applier, spacing the distal end away from a sidewall region of the introducer cannula.

Abstract: A biopsy device may comprise a probe assembly that has a needle assembly extending distally from the probe assembly. The needle assembly has a needle portion and blade assembly. The blade assembly comprises a blade and a multi-member coupling assembly. The multi-member coupling assembly is configured to couple to the blade and to the needle portion to attach the blade to the needle portion. In one configuration the multi-member coupling assembly comprises two coupling members configure to couple to the blade. The blade may be a flat blade that has a retention channel formed therein, wherein the two coupling members may couple to the blade at the retention channel. The needle portion may comprise a needle and a cutter receiving tube. The needle may be an ovular cross-sectioned tube having a cut-out portion into which a circular cross-sectioned cutter receiving tube may be inserted and coupled thereto.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe and a holster. The probe has a distally extending needle including a transverse tissue receiving aperture. A cutter is translatable relative to the needle to sever tissue protruding through the aperture. A thumbwheel is manually operable to rotate the needle to reorient the angular position of the aperture about the longitudinal axis defined by the needle. The thumbwheel is positioned obliquely with the longitudinal axis. A cable driven mechanism in the holster drives the cutter. A rotatable tissue sample holder is coupled with the probe, and has chambers configured to receive tissue samples communicated proximally through a lumen defined by the cutter. A piezoelectric motor in the holster drives the tissue sample holder.

Abstract: A biopsy marker delivery device are described. The delivery device can include a relatively flexible hollow tube, a pushing member such as a push rod disposed for sliding with the tube, and at least one marker disposed in the tube. A marker blocking member is disposed distal of the distal most marker, and is disposed at least partially within the hollow tube to assist in preventing premature deployment of a marker from the hollow tube. A portion of the blocking member may disposed in the hollow tube, and another portion of the member may be operatively associated with a portion of the package such that when the marker delivery device is removed from the package, the member is removed from the marker delivery device.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe and a holster. The probe has a distally extending needle and a central thumbwheel coupled with the needle. The needle has a transverse tissue receiving aperture. A cutter is translatable relative to the needle to sever tissue protruding through the aperture. The central thumbwheel is manually operable to rotate the needle to reorient the angular position of the aperture about the longitudinal axis defined by the needle. The central thumbwheel is positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis. An elongate sleeve unitarily couples the needle with the central thumbwheel. A cable driven mechanism in the holster drives the cutter. A rotatable tissue sample holder is coupled with the probe, and has chambers configured to receive tissue samples communicated proximally through a lumen defined by the cutter. A piezoelectric motor in the holster drives the tissue sample holder.

Abstract: A biopsy device for delivering a biopsy marker to a biopsy site is disclosed. The biopsy device can include a marker deployer having a unitary endpiece disposed in a distal end of the cannula. The distal endpiece can be a molded component which includes a distal tip, a marker deployment ramp, and a marker engaging element that aids in retaining the marker in the cannula until the marker is meant to be deployed.

Abstract: A method for making a biopsy device for delivering a biopsy marker to a biopsy site is disclosed. The biopsy device can include a marker deployer having a unitary endpiece formed in place in a distal end of the cannula. The distal endpiece can be a molded in place in the distal end of the cannula, and can include a distal tip, a marker deployment ramp, and a marker engaging element that aids in retaining the marker in the cannula until the marker is meant to be deployed.

Abstract: An air bag cover assembly for use in an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle and including a displaceable door structure which lifts clear of the surrounding cover structure at an initial stage of air bag deployment prior to undergoing tethered rotation by one or more extensible tethering elements thereby substantially avoiding contacting relation between the door structure and adjacent portions of the cover structure and reducing stress on the nonmoving components.