Abstract: A biopsy marker delivery device includes a cannula, a grip supported adjacent the proximal end of the cannula, and at least one marker disposed within the internal lumen of the cannula. The cannula includes a distal tip closing the distal end of the cannula and a side marker exit port disposed proximally of the distal end of the cannula. The side marker exit port includes a first portion and a second portion extending proximally from the first portion. The first portion has a larger width than the second portion.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device operable for taking one or more biopsy samples from a patient and a marker delivery device. The biopsy device includes a body portion having an alignment feature and a hollow biopsy needle extending distally from the body portion. The marker delivery device includes a marker deployer tube and an alignment feature associated with the marker deployer tube. The alignment feature on the marker delivery device is configured to matingly engage with the alignment feature on the biopsy device. A marker delivery device includes a resilient marker guide ramp.

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.

Abstract: A vacuum control module for use in a biopsy system includes a user interface that presents buttons and icons to control operation of a biopsy device. The icons may indicate, e.g., the position of a cutter relative to a transverse opening, whether the system is in a view sample mode, that an adjacent button is operable to reset the position of a rotatable tissue sample holder, whether the system is in a maintenance vacuum pulse mode, the level of vacuum provided by a vacuum source, the volume level of a speaker, that an adjacent button is operable to place the system in a standby mode, and that an adjacent button is operable to shut down the system. The icons may each have an associated button. The icons may be allocated among separate pages (e.g., a probe page and a system page). Another button may be used to switch between pages.

Abstract: A biopsy system comprises a biopsy device, a fluid canister, and an auxiliary vacuum source. The biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, a hollow cutter, and a primary vacuum pump. The primary vacuum pump is operable to induce a vacuum in the lumen of the cutter. The fluid canister is configured to receive liquids communicated proximally through the cutter lumen. The auxiliary vacuum source is operable to induce a vacuum in the cutter lumen, thus supplementing the primary vacuum pump. The auxiliary vacuum source may be coupled directly with the fluid canister, such that the fluid canister is positioned along the fluid path between the auxiliary vacuum source and the biopsy device. The biopsy device may further include an integral tissue sample holder. The cutter lumen, the primary vacuum pump, the fluid canister, and the auxiliary vacuum source are all in fluid communication with the tissue sample holder.

Abstract: A tissue model and test method are described. The tissue model can be used to simulate tissue during design and testing of biopsy needle tip configurations. For instance, the tissue model can be used to estimate the force required to penetrate natural breast tissue with a particular needle tip configuration.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a first external device, a second external device and a control module interface. The control module interface is in electrical communication with both the first and second external devices, and the control module interface is in mechanical communication with the second external device. The control module interface is configured to be positioned remotely from at least one of the first and second external devices. The control module interface comprises a motor, operational electronics, a shaft connector assembly, an electrical connector and a cabinet configured to house the motor and operational electronics. The motor is in mechanical communication with the second external device via a mechanical cable. The operational electronics are configured to permit control of the motor and a motorized component of the second external device. In some embodiments, the mechanical cable comprises a flexible shaft cable, such as a speedometer cable.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a needle, a cutter movable relative to the needle to sever a tissue sample, a processing module, a tissue sensor, and an indicator. The tissue sensor is operable to sense a tissue sample severed by the cutter. The processing module is operable to drive the indicator based on information from the tissue sensor. The indicator may include an audible indicator and/or a visual indicator. The indication provided by the indicator may vary based on sensed qualities of the tissue sample. The indicator may be integrated into a biopsy instrument or may be provided as part of a remote unit. The biopsy system may also include a multi-chamber tissue sample holder. A graphical user interface may indicate which chambers of the tissue sample holder are occupied by tissue samples.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe body, a cannula extending distally from the probe body, a cutter moveable relative to the cannula to sever tissue, and a tissue sample holder coupled with the probe body. The tissue sample holder comprises a rotatable member having a plurality of recesses to receive tissue samples. The rotatable member can be operable to successively index each recess relative to a lumen defined by the cutter. A cover portion may be associated with the rotatable member and permits one or more recesses to be viewable through the cover. The recesses may be configured to carry one or more tissue samples as the rotatable member is rotated.

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 probe body, a cannula extending distally from the probe body, a cutter moveable relative to the cannula to sever tissue, and a tissue sample holder coupled with the probe body. The tissue sample holder comprises a rotatable member and at least one removable member secured about the exterior of the rotatable member. The at least one removable member defines a plurality of tissue sample compartments. Each tissue sample compartment is configured to receive one or more tissue samples captured by the cutter. In some versions, the at least one removable member comprises a belt and a plurality of vials.

Abstract: A biopsy device may be used to obtain and store multiple tissue samples. The device permits the tissue samples to be stored in a sequenced fashion within a generally transparent tissue storage chamber disposed at a proximal end of the biopsy device. The tissue samples can be stored on flexible tissue sample strips arranged around the circumference of a rotating vacuum manifold disposed within the chamber.

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 may be used to obtain and store multiple tissue samples. The device permits the tissue samples to be stored in a sequenced fashion within a generally transparent tissue storage chamber disposed at a proximal end of the biopsy device. The tissue samples can be stored on flexible tissue sample strips arranged around the circumference of a rotating vacuum manifold disposed within the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a marking element into a marker body includes a body portion, an insertion member, and a pushing member. The body portion has a compartment configured to receive a marker body. The insertion member is configured to engage the marker body within the compartment. The pushing member is configured to engage with the insertion member. The pushing member is operable to force a marking element along the insertion member into the marker body. The insertion member may include a hollow needle configured to penetrate the marker body. The pushing member may include a pin configured to fit within the hollow needle. The marker body may include an opening such as a slit, a slot, or a passage that is configured to receive a marking element. The marker body may include a collagen dowel, and the marking element may be formed of titanium.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying a marker at a site within a patient may include an elongate cannula, an elongate pusher, and a marker disposed within the cannula. The cannula may have a tip at its distal end and a transverse opening. The pusher may be disposed within the cannula, and may be moved longitudinally within the cannula. The pusher may have a ramped distal end. The marker may be configured to exit the transverse opening upon urging by the ramped distal end of the pusher. In some versions, the tip of the cannula has a flat proximal face, and the marker has a recessed region that is configured to buckle in response to longitudinal compression, such that the marker will pop out of the cannula upon buckling. In other versions, the cannula has an external sheath, an open and curved distal end, or a leaf spring.

Abstract: A biopsy site marker delivery device includes a relatively flexible marker deployer tube having a closed distal end, a push rod slidably disposed within the tube, and at least one marker disposed in the tube. The deployer tube includes a side exit port with an adjacent ramp for transversely dispensing the marker upon distal advancement of the push rod within the tube. An elongate member such as a sleeve is operable to guide and/or stabilize the flexible deployer tube as the tip of the tube is inserted into an access channel such as a channel provided by a cannula or biopsy device. An internal package member is configured to support the marker delivery device and the elongate member, with the elongate member being positioned over the side exit port to prevent the marker from inadvertently exiting the side exit port.

Abstract: A biopsy system comprises a biopsy device, a fluid canister, and an auxiliary vacuum source. The biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, a hollow cutter, and a primary vacuum pump. The primary vacuum pump is operable to induce a vacuum in the lumen of the cutter. The fluid canister is configured to receive liquids communicated proximally through the cutter lumen. The auxiliary vacuum source is operable to induce a vacuum in the cutter lumen, thus supplementing the primary vacuum pump. The auxiliary vacuum source may be coupled directly with the fluid canister, such that the fluid canister is positioned along the fluid path between the auxiliary vacuum source and the biopsy device. The biopsy device may further include an integral tissue sample holder. The cutter lumen, the primary vacuum pump, the fluid canister, and the auxiliary vacuum source are all in fluid communication with the tissue sample holder.

Abstract: A tissue sample holder for a biopsy device comprises an outer cup, a collection tray, and a flow restriction device. The outer cup defines a hollow interior. The collection tray separates the hollow interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber while allowing fluid to pass between the two chambers through an opening in the collection tray. The flow restriction device selectively seals the opening thereby preventing fluid from passing from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The flow restriction device may be operable to selectively seal the opening in response to a vacuum being induced within the upper chamber. The collection tray may have a shape (e.g., tapered, funnel-shaped, convex, etc/) selected to facilitate the flow of fluid toward the opening. The lower chamber may be coupled with an external fluid collection device. The lower chamber may define a larger volume than the upper chamber.

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.