Abstract: A method for conserving battery power in a biopsy apparatus having a battery, a motion detector, a timer circuit, a battery dwell circuit, and a biopsy driver assembly configured to mount a biopsy probe assembly, the biopsy driver assembly comprising an electrical assembly including at least one electrical drive configured for drivably engaging the biopsy probe assembly, the method including conserving the battery by turning off electrical power both to the timer circuit and to the electrical assembly after a predetermined time as determined by the timer circuit following a last detected physical movement of the biopsy driver assembly; and turning on electrical power from the battery to the timer circuit and to the electrical assembly when a physical movement of the biopsy driver assembly is detected.

Abstract: A disposable unit for a biopsy device includes a hollow needle configured to define a longitudinal path. A sample-receiving device having a cavity is configured to move in the hollow needle along the longitudinal path between an extended position and a retracted position. A transport device is configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the extended position and the retracted position. The transport device includes a bendable elongate element having a proximal portion and a distal end, the distal end being connected to the sample-receiving device. The bendable elongate element has a tooth surface that is engaged by a rotatable gear. A coiling device is configured to coil the proximal portion of the bendable elongate element as the sample-receiving device is moved linearly along the longitudinal path from the extended position to the retracted position by operation of the rotatable gear.

Abstract: A tissue handling system includes a biopsy device configured to deliver at least one tissue sample to a location outside the body of a patient. A tissue storage container is separate from the biopsy device. A tissue collecting device is configured to releasably engage the biopsy device to receive the at least one tissue sample from the biopsy device. The tissue collecting device is configured to be disengaged from the biopsy device and engaged with the tissue storage container to deliver the at least one tissue sample to the tissue storage container.

Abstract: A tissue handling system includes a biopsy device having an invasive unit with tissue-receiving and tissue-severing components being capable of harvesting and bringing at least one tissue sample to a point outside the body of a patient. The tissue handling system further includes a tissue collecting device adapted to be brought in detachable operative engagement with the tissue-receiving components of the biopsy device to remove the at least one tissue sample. Additionally, the tissue handling device comprises a tissue storage container configured to receive the at least one tissue sample, the entire tissue collecting device, or the part of the collecting device that contains the at least one tissue sample. The tissue storage container further is configured to receive a volume of preserving agent. The tissue handling system also comprises a vessel including the preserving agent adapted to be gas-tightly mated or coupled to the tissue storage container.

Abstract: A held biopsy device includes a sample-receiving device with a cavity configured to receive at least one tissue sample. The sample-receiving device is movable between a first position and a second position. A liquid supply unit is configured to supply a flushing liquid. The liquid supply unit is operatively connected to the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the second position, and the liquid supply unit is disconnected from the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is not in the second position.

Abstract: A method for operating a biopsy device to acquire at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, including retracting a sample-receiving device through a hollow needle to a sample removal position, a tissue sample being simultaneously transported to the sample removal position by the sample-receiving device; operatively connecting a liquid supply unit to a cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is at the sample removal position; and delivering a lateral flow of a flushing liquid from the liquid supply unit to the cavity of the sample-receiving device to facilitate a lateral tissue sample ejection from the cavity.

Abstract: A method of operating a biopsy device includes providing a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis; moving a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle from a retracted position to an extended position to expose a cavity in the sample-receiving device, the cavity configured to receive a tissue sample; displacing the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received by the cavity of the sample-receiving device; moving a toothed flexible member along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle; and receiving the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member in a helical coiling-up groove of a housing element when the sample-receiving device is moved to the retracted position.

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.

Abstract: A method of generating an electric field in a target region of a patient includes inserting a set of electrodes having respective distal ends enclosed within a single elongate introducer shaft having a distal tip, into the vicinity of the target region; extending at least a pair of the electrodes to an extended position such that the electrode distal ends are deflected away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft in such a way that at least one planar projection taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a distance between a pair of distal ends of the electrodes is larger than a maximal extent of a cross-section of the introducer shaft, the cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the a longitudinal axis at a distal end of the introducer shaft; and applying one or more electric pulses to the target tissue through the electrodes.

Abstract: A charging station for a battery powered biopsy apparatus includes a charging dock having a housing and a charging unit contained in the housing. The charging unit has a set of electrical contacts. The housing is received in a first cavity of a driver assembly with the electrical contacts being coupled in electrical communication with the driver assembly when the driver assembly is mounted on the charging dock for charging. The charging unit provides a signal to the driver assembly to reset the driver assembly to an initialized state when the driver assembly is mounted to the charging station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suction device. The suction device comprises an attachment portion adapted to be attached to a wound cover member. The suction device comprises a fluid inlet which is at least partially circumscribed by the attachment portion. The suction device also comprises a fluid outlet. The suction device further comprising a connection portion adapted to, at least during one operation condition of the suction device, provide a fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The connection portion comprises an inspection portion that is transparent to thereby facilitate the positioning of the suction device relative to the wound cover member.

Abstract: A disposable unit for a biopsy device includes a hollow needle configured to define a longitudinal path. A sample-receiving device having a cavity is configured to move in the hollow needle along the longitudinal path between an extended position and a retracted position. A transport device is configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the extended position and the retracted position. The transport device includes a bendable elongate element having a proximal portion and a distal end, the distal end being connected to the sample-receiving device. The bendable elongate element has a tooth surface that is engaged by a rotatable gear. A coiling device is configured to coil the proximal portion of the bendable elongate element as the sample-receiving device is moved linearly along the longitudinal path from the extended position to the retracted position by operation of the rotatable gear.

Abstract: A method for operating a biopsy device to acquire at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, including retracting a sample-receiving device through a hollow needle to a sample removal position, a tissue sample being simultaneously transported to the sample removal position by the sample-receiving device; operatively connecting a liquid supply unit to a cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is at the sample removal position; and delivering a lateral flow of a flushing liquid from the liquid supply unit to the cavity of the sample-receiving device to facilitate a lateral tissue sample ejection from the cavity.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a handle unit, a hollow needle comprised in a disposable unit, which is releasably attached to the handle unit, and a sample-receiving device, which is movable in the hollow needle between two positions. Tissue is severed when the sample-receiving device is in a first one of the positions, and the severed tissue sample is ejected from the sample-receiving device in a second one of the two positions. A control system is provided for controlling movement of the sample-receiving device and for arresting the sample-receiving device in the second position. The distance between the two positions and/or a length of the hollow needle may be detectable in a calibration cycle, which is automatically initiated upon attachment of the disposable unit to the handle unit. The disposable unit may include electronic memory device for communicating with the control system.

Abstract: A tissue handling system includes a biopsy device having an invasive unit with tissue-receiving and tissue-severing components being capable of harvesting and bringing at least one tissue sample to a point outside the body of a patient. The tissue handling system further includes a tissue collecting device adapted to be brought in detachable operative engagement with the tissue-receiving components of the biopsy device to remove the at least one tissue sample. Additionally, the tissue handling device comprises a tissue storage container configured to receive the at least one tissue sample, the entire tissue collecting device, or the part of the collecting device that contains the at least one tissue sample. The tissue storage container further is configured to receive a volume of preserving agent. The tissue handling system also comprises a vessel including the preserving agent adapted to be gas-tightly mated or coupled to the tissue storage container.

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.

Abstract: A self-contained hand-held biopsy device includes a hollow needle having a distal end portion with a circumferential cutting edge. A sample-receiving device is received in the hollow needle, and has a tapered distal tip and a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample. The sample-receiving device is configured to move in the hollow needle between a first extended position and a second retracted position. A transport device is configured to move the sample-receiving device relative to the hollow needle. A liquid supply unit is configured to operatively connect to the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the second retracted position and is configured to deliver a flow of the flushing liquid to the cavity to facilitate tissue sample ejection from the cavity. The liquid supply unit is disconnected from the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the first extended position.