Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body portion, a cannula, a cutter, and a tissue stop having a proximal face. The cannula has a transverse aperture that is defined in part by a proximal edge and a distal edge. The cutter is movable to a distal position to sever tissue protruding through the transverse aperture. A tip at the distal end of the cannula has a sharp edge that extends proximally to a longitudinal position that is proximal to the longitudinal position of the distal edge of the transverse aperture. The sharp edge of the tip extends to a longitudinal position that is proximal to the longitudinal position of the distal cutting edge of the cutter when the cutter is at the distal position. The sharp edge of the tip extends to a longitudinal position that is proximal to the longitudinal position of the proximal face of the tissue stop.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes various features. A tissue sample holder kit of the system comprises a rotatable member with chambers configured to receive tissue receiving features of a tissue sample tray. A biopsy device of the system includes user input features and user feedback features disposed on a body. A user interface of the system includes a graphical representation of a tissues ample holder. A biopsy site marker applier of the system includes markings associated with different biopsy device configurations. The biopsy system may undergo a multi-step initialization process. In operation, the biopsy system may execute pneumatic control algorithms including the use of vacuum, saline, and atmospheric air.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body portion, a cannula, a cutter, and a tissue stop having a proximal face. The cannula has a transverse aperture that is defined in part by a proximal edge and a distal edge. The cutter is movable to a distal position to sever tissue protruding through the transverse aperture. A tip at the distal end of the cannula has a sharp edge that extends proximally to a longitudinal position that is proximal to the longitudinal position of the distal edge of the transverse aperture. The sharp edge of the tip extends to a longitudinal position that is proximal to the longitudinal position of the distal cutting edge of the cutter when the cutter is at the distal position. The sharp edge of the tip extends to a longitudinal position that is proximal to the longitudinal position of the proximal face of the tissue stop.

Abstract: Biopsy devices and methods useful with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) are disclosed. A biopsy device including a flexible tube having a side aperture, and a PET or BSGI imageable material disposed within the flexible tube is disclosed. A biopsy method is disclosed that includes advancing a flexible tube having a PET or BSGI imageable material distally through the biopsy device. Various other embodiments and applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a removable cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The instrument includes an anvil cartridge removably received in an anvil frame. The anvil cartridge is severed by the firing bar when the firing bar is advanced through tissue such that material from the anvil cartridge is released onto the severed tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a removable cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The cartridge further includes an agent. The firing bar is operable to assist with releasing the agent onto a severed line of tissue when the firing bar is advanced.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a surgical instrument and a buttress configured to hold a fluid adhesive. In some versions, the buttress contains a two-part fluid adhesive where two fluid materials form a fluid adhesive when combined. In some versions, the buttress is configured to be compressed by the surgical instrument thereby pressurizing a portion of the buttress. Thereafter, the buttress may be severed and the pressurized region may be operable to urge the fluid adhesive to a tissue site.

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 includes a cutter defining a cutter lumen and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. In one example, the tissue sample holder has a rotatable manifold that is configured to redirect fluid from one axial direction to an opposite axial direction. The tissue sample holder also has a plurality of tissue sample trays through which fluid may be communicated. The tissue sample trays define chambers that are each configured to separately hold tissue samples. The tissue sample trays are removable relative to the manifold. A cup is configured to cover the manifold and trays. A tissue sample holder rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the manifold to successively index each chamber of the tissue sample trays with the cutter lumen. A feature may prevent rotation of the manifold when one part of the biopsy device is separated from another part of the biopsy device.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter actuation mechanism. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter actuation mechanism rotates and translates the cutter relative to the body and relative to the needle. The cutter has an overmold presenting a lead screw and a hex portion. The cutter actuation mechanism comprises a first gear disposed about the hex portion of the overmold and a second gear engaged with the lead screw of the overmold by a nut that is integral with the second gear. The cutter actuation mechanism is operable to simultaneously rotate the first gear relative to the body at a first rotational speed and the second gear relative to the body at a second rotational speed. With the lead screw and the nut rotating at different rotational speeds, the lead screw rotates relative to the nut at a third rotational speed.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter actuation mechanism. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter actuation mechanism rotates and translates the cutter relative to the body and relative to the needle. The cutter has an overmold presenting a lead screw and a hex portion. The cutter actuation mechanism comprises a first gear disposed about the hex portion of the overmold and a second gear engaged with the lead screw of the overmold by a nut that is integral with the second gear. The cutter actuation mechanism is operable to simultaneously rotate the first gear relative to the body at a first rotational speed and the second gear relative to the body at a second rotational speed. With the lead screw and the nut rotating at different rotational speeds, the lead screw rotates relative to the nut at a third rotational speed.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, a cutter, and a shuttle valve slider. The needle has a first lumen and a second lumen. The cutter translates relative to the needle. The shuttle valve slider translates in response to translation of the cutter. The shuttle valve slider vents the second lumen when the shuttle valve slider is in a first longitudinal position and substantially seals the second lumen relative to atmospheric air when the shuttle valve slider is in a second longitudinal position. A degree of lost motion is provided between the cutter and the shuttle valve slider, such that the cutter moves the shuttle valve slider only when the cutter moves through a first part of the cutter's range of motion; and such that the cutter does not move the shuttle valve slider when the cutter moves through a second part of the cutter's range of motion.

Abstract: A method of biopsy device operation comprises rotating a first rotating member at a first rotational speed to rotate a cutter. A second rotating member is rotated at a second rotational speed to translate the cutter. The first and second members are rotated simultaneously and in the same direction. The first rotating member rotates with the cutter, while the second rotating member rotates about the first rotating member. The difference between the first and second rotational speeds, as well as threaded engagement between the first and second rotating members, provides the translation of the cutter. A method of biopsy device operation also comprises moving a shuttle valve slider to selectively vent or seal the second lumen of a needle. The shuttle valve slider is responsive to translation of the cutter, though some degree of lost motion is provided between the shuttle valve slider and the cutter.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, and a cutter. A motor is operable to both move the cutter relative to the needle and actuate a needle firing assembly to retract and fire the needle relative to the body. The biopsy device also includes a needle rotation assembly that is configured to substantially prevent rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a proximal position yet permit rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a distal position. A valve assembly of the biopsy device includes a slider that selectively couples a secondary lumen in the needle with either atmospheric air or saline based on the longitudinal position of the slider. The cutter passes through the slider.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises an elongate needle having a piercing tip, a lateral aperture, and one or more echogenic features. In some versions, a dimpled surface provides the one or more echogenic features. The dimples may be concave or convex. In some versions, the piercing tip comprises a blade, and the one or more echogenic features are provided by openings formed transversely through the blade. In some versions, the one or more echogenic features are provided by serrations of the blade. Such serrations may be jagged or rounded. In some versions, the piercing tip is multi-faceted, and the facets of the tip provide the one or more echogenic features. A coagulant may also be provided on the needle. The piercing tip of the needle may rotate relative to other portions of the needle to facilitate insertion of the needle in tissue.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe that is configured to couple with a holster. The probe comprises a needle, a cutter, and a body portion. The needle is rotatable and translatable relative to the body portion. The holster has a locking feature that is configured to prevent the needle from rotating relative to the body portion upon coupling of the probe with the holster. The locking feature may also be configured to prevent the needle from translating relative to the body portion upon coupling of the probe with the holster. The same probe may thus be used with a holster intended for use in a fixture-based, stereotactic setting, in which rotation and translation of the needle may be desired; and with a holster intended for use in a handheld, ultrasound-guided setting, in which rotation and translation of the needle may be less desired if not undesirable.