Abstract: A breast biopsy lateral arm system includes a removable gun mount which attaches to a carriage that traverses along an X-axis defined by a lateral arm in order to position a biopsy needle relative to a patient. The carriage rides along the lateral arm on self-adjusting rollers which are loaded against the lateral arm by spring members. A cam-actuated carriage slide lock can be used to secure the carriage in a desired position relative to the lateral arm. A cam-actuated removable gun mount lock allows the gun mount to be quickly changed and offset orthogonally with respect to the X-axis. An X-axis stop can be used to establish a position to which the carriage can be returned with accuracy.

Abstract: A draping system for use with a medical apparatus, such as a prone breast biopsy system. The draping system may be in the form of a kit ready to be installed on the medical apparatus and may include one or more of a first drape, a second drape, and a third drape. The first drape may include a mat and a protuberance, the mat and the protuberance being coupled together. The protuberance may be configured to receive a paddle mount of the medical apparatus. The mat may have a distal end configured to be secured to a breast support platform of the medical apparatus just below an image receptor. The second drape may include a mat having a distal end configured to be mounted on a compression paddle of the medical apparatus. The third drape may be configured to be inserted over the control panel of the medical apparatus.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A breast biopsy lateral arm system includes a removable gun mount which attaches to a carriage that traverses along an X-axis defined by a lateral arm in order to position a biopsy needle relative to a patient. The carriage rides along the lateral arm on self-adjusting rollers which are loaded against the lateral arm by spring members. A cam-actuated carriage slide lock can be used to secure the carriage in a desired position relative to the lateral arm. A cam-actuated removable gun mount lock allows the gun mount to be quickly changed and offset orthogonally with respect to the X-axis. An X-axis stop can be used to establish a position to which the carriage can be returned with accuracy.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A draping system for use with a medical apparatus, such as a prone breast biopsy system. The draping system may be in the form of a kit ready to be installed on the medical apparatus and may include one or more of a first drape, a second drape, and a third drape. The first drape may include a mat and a protuberance, the mat and the protuberance being coupled together. The protuberance may be configured to receive a paddle mount of the medical apparatus. The mat may have a distal end configured to be secured to a breast support platform of the medical apparatus just below an image receptor. The second drape may include a mat having a distal end configured to be mounted on a compression paddle of the medical apparatus. The third drape may be configured to be inserted over the control panel of the medical apparatus.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A breast biopsy lateral arm system includes a removable gun mount which attaches to a carriage that traverses along an X-axis defined by a lateral arm in order to position a biopsy needle relative to a patient. The carriage rides along the lateral arm on self-adjusting rollers which are loaded against the lateral arm by spring members. A cam-actuated carriage slide lock can be used to secure the carriage in a desired position relative to the lateral arm. A cam-actuated removable gun mount lock allows the gun mount to be quickly changed and offset orthogonally with respect to the X-axis. An X-axis stop can be used to establish a position to which the carriage can be returned with accuracy.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A method for feeding containers into an analytical instrument whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, into, within and out of the analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: Racks having sample containers mounted therein are transported within an analytical system so that a robotic arm can remove the sample containers and deliver them to a desired location within the system. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks from a position behind the in-feed to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A method whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A sample handler moves and positions sample tube racks in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The platform includes spring loaded gripper fingers that engages and secures the sample tube rack to the platform. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks to a point where they are accessed by the analytical instrument. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the sample tube racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A method whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: Racks having sample containers mounted therein are transported within an analytical system so that a robotic arm can remove the sample containers and deliver them to a desired location within the system. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks from a position behind the in-feed to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.