Abstract: A hand actuated biopsy device comprises a vacuum generation mechanism and a tissue cutting mechanism manually actuated by a trigger of the hand actuated biopsy device. Hand manipulation or actuation of the trigger is used to power a vacuum pump to generate vacuum and to power the tissue cutting mechanism. The hand actuated biopsy device has a tissue piercing needle with a tissue receiving aperture. A tissue cutter translates and rotates within the needle and is powered by actuations of the trigger. When the needle is placed into tissue and the trigger is actuated to power the vacuum pump and the tissue cutter, tissue is drawn into the tissue receiving aperture and severed by the hand powered cutter. A tissue collection chamber can be attached to the hand actuated biopsy device to receive severed tissue samples within.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body having a cannula, a cutter positioned at least partly within the cannula, a tissue collection chamber, and a vacuum source. In one example, the biopsy device includes a cutter loader for rotating the cutter into a loaded position (e.g., open position). A trigger is engaged with a portion of the cutter loader and may be activated to allow the cutter to rotate back to a closed position. During this rotation, the cutter severs a tissue sample, which may thereafter be drawn through the cutter lumen into the tissue collection chamber under the influence of a vacuum created by the vacuum source. The vacuum source includes a piston configured to be operated by squeezing a scissors grip. A user may apply a single stroke or successive strokes to the piston to produce the vacuum.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and in particular a sleeve, to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A depth stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and in particular a sleeve, to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A depth stop enhances accurate insertion, and prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, and marker deployment etc.

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.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and in particular a sleeve, to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A depth stop enhances accurate insertion, and prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imageability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, and marker deployment etc.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a tissue sample holder and a cutter defining a cutter lumen. In one example, the tissue sample holder has a manifold, a plurality of chambers that are configured to separately hold tissue samples, and a cup configured to cover the manifold and chambers. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively align the chambers with the cutter lumen. A longitudinal passage extends along the manifold, and is positioned between two of the chambers. The manifold may be rotated to align the passage with the cutter lumen and with an opening in the cup. The passage of the manifold and the opening in the cup are configured to permit a portion of an instrument to be inserted through the opening and passage and into the cutter lumen. The instrument may be used to introduce one or more markers or medicine, etc., to a biopsy site.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device, a vacuum canister, a vacuum control module, and a plurality of tubes. A first tube is configured to provide an axial vacuum to the biopsy device, while a second tube is configured to provide a lateral vacuum. A third tube is configured to communicate atmospheric air to the second tube. A fourth tube is configured to communicate saline to the second tube. The vacuum canister is configured to collect fluids drawn through the first tube and the second tube. The canister has a lid with trenches formed in it for retaining the first, second, third, and fourth tubes. The lid also has engagement regions for selectively pinching each of the tubes against to prevent fluid communication through selected tubes. The canister can be removably inserted into the vacuum control module, which includes components for selectively pinching the tubes against the engagement regions.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe and holster that may be coupled together. The probe includes a cannula with a transverse opening and a cutter within the cannula. The holster includes a mechanism that is operable to rotate and translate the cutter within the cannula. In one example, the holster also includes a user interface having buttons and indicators. The indicators may indicate, e.g., the longitudinal position of the cutter within the cannula and an error condition. The buttons may be operable to, e.g., selectively and incrementally adjust the longitudinal position of the cutter within the cannula, initiate a sampling cycle, initiate a clear probe cycle, and initiate a lateral vacuum cycle. The user interface may also include a trigger operable to cock and fire the cannula into tissue. The user interface may be provided as one or more membranes on one or more sidewalls of the holster.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cannula, a cutter disposed within the cannula, a needle hub having a gear for rotating the cannula, a mechanism for rotating and translating the cutter within the cannula, and a body portion. The cutter rotation and translation mechanism includes a first component that is secured to the cutter and a second component that is secured to the body portion. The body portion includes a tab that is configured to retain the axial position of the cannula and needle hub relative to the body until the tab is depressed or removed. The body is configured to permit the cannula and the needle hub to be pulled axially from the body only after the tab has been depressed or removed. The cutter can then be pulled axially from the body by unscrewing the first component of the cutter rotation and translation mechanism from the second component.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a tissue sample holder and a cutter defining a cutter lumen. In one example, the tissue sample holder has a manifold, a plurality of chambers that are configured to separately hold tissue samples, and a cup configured to cover the manifold and chambers. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively align the chambers with the cutter lumen. A longitudinal passage extends along the manifold, and is positioned between two of the chambers. The manifold may be rotated to align the passage with the cutter lumen and with an opening in the cup. The passage of the manifold and the opening in the cup are configured to permit a portion of an instrument to be inserted through the opening and passage and into the cutter lumen. The instrument may be used to introduce one or more markers or medicine, etc., to a biopsy site.

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 includes a rotatable manifold, and has a plurality of chambers that are each configured to separately hold tissue samples. A tissue sample holder rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the manifold to successively index each of the chambers with the cutter lumen. A sensing system is configured to sense the rotational position of the manifold. A controller in communication with both the sensing system and the rotation mechanism is operable to control the rotation mechanism based at least in part on the position of the manifold as sensed by the sensing system. The sensing system may include a sensor in a fixed position and a rotating encoder wheel on a shaft that is used to rotate the manifold.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe portion and a holster portion that may be coupled together. The probe portion includes a rotatable tissue sample holder that is configured to hold tissue samples. One or more portions of the tissue sample holder may be formed of a transparent or translucent material, e.g., a translucent manifold and shaft, transparent or translucent tissue sample trays, and a transparent cup that is external to the manifold and trays. The holster portion may include one or more sources of light, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be configured to illuminate at least a portion of the tissue sample holder, such as to facilitate viewing of tissue samples in the tissue sample holder. For instance, one LED may be aligned with the shaft of the tissue sample holder, while two additional LEDs may be positioned on both sides of the shaft.

Abstract: A suture anchor loader comprises a housing with a port. A channel extends into the housing from the port, the channel being dimensioned to receive a surgical needle. A suture anchor is preloaded in the channel with a length of suture connected to the suture anchor and stored in the housing. A push rod is slideably positioned in the channel such that the suture anchor is intermediate the push rod and the port. An actuator is operatively connected to push rod to selectively deploy the anchor into the needle.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for approximating tissue. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with a flexible endoscope. In general, the device can include a flexible shaft having an implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a distal end thereof and a handle for operating the implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a proximal end thereof. A variety of implantable tissue fasteners can be used with the tissue fastener applier device including single and multi-anchor embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for approximating tissue. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with a flexible endoscope. In general, the device can include a flexible shaft having an implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a distal end thereof and a handle for operating the implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a proximal end thereof. A variety of implantable tissue fasteners can be used with the tissue fastener applier device including single and multi-anchor embodiments.

Abstract: A needle may be fired into tissue by a needle firing mechanism, which may include a fork for holding the needle and a firing rod coupled with the fork. A spring urges the fork to a distal, fired position. A screw gear is coupled with the rod. A sled is positioned at the proximal end of the rod. A catch is configured to engage the sled when the sled is moved to a proximal position. The screw gear is operable to convert rotational motion from a motor and gear set into linear motion to move the rod proximally to engage the sled with the catch, thereby cocking the needle firing mechanism. The motor may also be used to translate the screw gear distally relative to the rod after the sled has engaged with the catch. A trigger is used to fire the cocked needle firing mechanism.