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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing tissue from a volume surrounding a region of interest with a body part of a patient is disclosed. The tissue removal volume and location is determined by stereotactic radiography. The size of the tissue removal volume surrounding the region of interest is derived by placing boundaries around the region of interest in each stereotactic radiographic image. A tissue removal tool is moved within the derived tissue removal volume. The tissue in the region of interest which has been previously diagnosed as cancerous can be marked with a radioactive isotope, for example, and the removal of such tissue from the removal volume which surrounds the region of interest can be monitored to determine whether the tissue in the region of interest has been completely removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing tissue from a volume surrounding a region of interest with a body part of a patient is disclosed. The tissue removal volume and location is determined by stereotactic radiography. The size of the tissue removal volume surrounding the region of interest is derived by placing boundaries around the region of interest in each stereotactic radiographic image. A tissue removal tool is moved within the derived tissue removal volume. The tissue in the region of interest which has been previously diagnosed as cancerous can be marked with a radioactive isotope, for example, and the removal of such tissue from the removal volume which surrounds the region of interest can be monitored to determine whether the tissue in the region of interest has been completely removed.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a temperature gradient sensing probe formed from a printed circuit thermocouple array are disclosed. The printed circuit thermocouple array is formed by an electrically insulative sheet having a first surface, a second surface and N electrically conductive junctions passing through the sheet from the first surface to the second surface, wherein N is an integer greater than one. N electrically conductive paths formed from a first conductive material are applied to the first surface, wherein each of the N conductive paths formed from the first conductive material have a junction end electrically connected respectively to one of the N conductive junctions and a connector end for electrical connection to a signal transmission conduit. N electrically conductive paths formed from a second conductive material, dissimilar to the first electrically conductive material are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and driving a rotary cutting surgical instrument with a needle guiding stage of a stereotactic mammography biopsy system is disclosed. The system includes a rotary cutting surgical instrument having a housing with a mechanism for securing the housing to a needle guiding stage of the stereotactic mammography biopsy system. The apparatus further includes a position encoder and controller for determining the resistance experienced by the rotary cutting instrument and for controlling the rotation of the instrument in response to the resistance.