BIOPSY COLLECTOR

Abstract

A sample collector to take and hold a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into the organism, the collector comprising of a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch to remove and retain a biopsy sample and a plunger retained to the punch in a manner to allow it to move relative to the cutter to remove a cutter retained biopsy sample from the cutter.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a biopsy collector and in particular though not solely for the obtaining of tissue samples from animals or samples from plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To improve the tracking of livestock and to facilitate DNA testing, tissue samples may be collected from animals. A tissue sample may be taken from an animal at any time. The tissue sample is usually cut from an animal using a tissue sampling device and is placed in a storage container for laboratory analysis.

United States patent numbers US20110295148A1 and US20130204159A1 describe a tissue sampler in the shape of a clamp and comprising a pair of jaws that move toward each other. A punch having a cutting element and plunger is located in one of the jaws and is forced through an animal's ear, for example, to cut a plug of tissue from the ear as the jaws are clamped together using a first actuation action. A storage tube is held by the other jaw of the tissue sampler. At one end of the storage tube there is an aperture through which the tissue sample is pushed. A plunger is used to push the tissue sample out of the cutting element and into the storage tube at the time of sampling. The plunger remains in the aperture of the storage tube to seal the tube before the tube is removed from the jaws and taken away for analysis. The cutting element is separated from the plunger and the storage tube after the sample is collected and has been pushed into the storage tube.

The so dropped sample is located in the storage tube and is to some extent protected. However the sample may be exposed to light where the container is transparent or translucent. Over time this may affect the quality of the sample taken.

After sampling, the used cutting element needs to be removed from the sampler because a different cutting element needs to be used for each tissue sample to prevent contamination of the tissue sample. The cutting element can be automatically ejected through a second actuation action of the sampler. The cutting element is then discarded onto the ground or into a refuse container. The cutting elements are sharp so handling the cutting element carries a risk of being cut. Discarding the cutting element on the ground also carries this risk.

After the cutting element has been removed, a new punch and storage tube needs to be loaded into the tissue sampler before another tissue sample can be collected. The loading and unloading of punches is done manually and is a slow and fiddly process.

When the sample containing storage container is processed at the laboratory, lab equipment is used to remove the sample from each container for further processing. The lab equipment contacts the sample to remove it from the container. To avoid cross contamination the equipment that contacts each sample must be cleaned between each sample removal step. This can be time consuming, adds costs and/or may not be 100% reliable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a biopsy collector that goes at least some way toward overcoming the disadvantages as mentioned above and/or that will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a sample collector to take and hold a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into said organism, said collector comprising:

a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch to remove and retain a biopsy sample and a plunger retained to said punch in a manner to allow it to move relative said cutter to remove a cutter retained biopsy sample from the cutter.

Preferably the plunger is mounted to said punch.

Preferably the plunger is secured to said punch in a movable manner.

Preferably the plunger is not caused to be moved relative said punch by said actuator upon driving of the collector into the organism.

Preferably the plunger is able to move relative said punch but is not able to be removed there from.

Preferably the plunger is actuatable to remove the cutter retained biopsy sample after sampling.

Preferably the collector is driven through said organism.

Preferably just the cutter is driven through said organism.

Preferably at least the cutting edge is pushed through a part of the organism to remove and retain a biopsy sample.

Preferably said punch includes a passage there through extending from the cutting edge of said cutter to an opposed end of said punch, said plunger retained to said punch at said passage to be guided for movement thereby.

Preferably said plunger is positioned at least in part in said passage.

Preferably said plunger protrudes out of said passage at said opposed end.

Preferably the plunger is positioned entirely in said passage.

Preferably the plunger does not protrude out of said passage.

Preferably said punch includes an opposed end to said cutting end at where said punch can receive a force from said actuator to drive said collector into said organism.

Preferably a sample holding pocket is defined between an end of the plunger and punch, at the cutting end of the punch.

Preferably the sample holding pocket is defined between an end of the plunger and the cutter at cutting end of the punch.

Preferably the plunger can be caused to move into the pocket to help eject a sample from the pocket.

Preferably the cutter defines a pocket to receive and hold a said sample.

Preferably the sample collector further comprises an EID.

Preferably the EID is secured to one of said plunger and punch.

Preferably each of said punch and plunger carry an EID.

Preferably the EID is embedded in said plunger, preferably in a manner so it cannot be removed yet can be read.

Preferably said punch is adapted and configured to be held to said actuator.

Preferably said punch is adapted and configured to be held by said actuator.

Preferably said punch is adapted and configured to be releasably held to said actuator in a manner to allow said collector to be pulled back by said actuator in a direction opposite to its collector driving direction.

Preferably the punch includes a graspable region at where said actuator can be made to grip the punch and pull it back.

Preferably said punch includes a recess at which said actuator can become releasably wedged in order to allow the actuator to pull the collectors back to the side of the organisms from which sample removal was initiated.

Preferably the recess is part of the passage through said punch.

Preferably the recess includes a lip to encourage releasable holding of the collector by the actuator.

Preferably the recess isolates the actuator from contacting the organism when the sample is being taken.

Preferably the actuator engages the punch by penetrating partially into said passage, said actuator causing the penetration of at least the cutting edge of said collector through said organism and not the entire collector, said actuator being isolated from contact with said organism by said punch.

Preferably the collector is straight and elongate and preferably generally cylindrical.

Preferably the force applied by said actuator is parallel the direction of elongate.

Preferably the cutter extends from and surrounds one end of the passage at the cutting end of the punch to form a surrounding wall to a sample holding pocket.

Preferably the plunger has a first end and an opposing second end, the plunger being located within the passage of the punch and being adapted to slide within the passage and into the sample holding pocket and toward the cutting edge of the punch.

Preferably the first end of the plunger is enlarged.

Preferably the first end of the plunger has is of or includes a non-stick surface material.

Preferably the collector is adapted so that the second end of the plunger can be depressed to move the plunger toward the cutting end of the punch to cause the first end of the plunger to push a tissue sample out of the sample holding pocket.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a sampler tool to cooperate with the collector as hereinbefore described, the tool comprising a body carrying a ram to drive the collector and able to be actuated to move along a path relative the body between a first position aligned to drive the collector from a primed position and push the cutter through part of an organism and a second position where said cutter has been so pushed through by said ram, to remove a sample from said organism.

Preferably said ram acts on said punch of said collector in a manner to not be able to cause relative movement of the plunger relative said punch.

Preferably the end of the ram includes a recess into which the plunger, when projecting from said punch, can be accommodated during driving of said collector, so as to prevent the ram from moving the plunger relative the punch.

Preferably the sampler tool during movement of the collector by said ram, cannot cause the plunger to be moved relative the punch.

Preferably said ram is adapted and configured to become associated with said collector in a manner to cause the collector to be moved back to its primed position as said ram moves from its second position to its first position.

Preferably said ram and said punch are adapted and configured to allow a severable interference fit to be established between them, the interference fit, when established, allowing the ram to pull the collector back to its primed position.

Preferably the ram is an elongate member that is axially aligned with said collector when moving from its first position to its second position.

Preferably the tool includes a magazine receptacle, to hold a magazine containing a plurality of said collectors, the magazine receptacle allowing the magazine to move relative the tool so that each collector can be presented in a manner for being driven by said ram.

Preferably the magazine is removably held at said receptacle.

Preferably said ram when moving back to its first position from said second position, deposits a sample retaining collector back into the position is came from in the magazine.

Preferably said second position of the ram is more proximate but shy of the location of the tool at where said sample is cut than the first position of the ram.

Preferably the ram travels into the magazine in moving from its first position to its second position.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a sample retaining sample collector comprising a sample collector as hereinbefore described wherein a sample from an organism removed by said cutter is retained by said cutter and said plunger is in a position relative said punch able to move said sample from cutter.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a dispenser to dispenser a sample from a sample retaining sample collector as hereinbefore described the dispenser including a pusher able to move said plunger toward the cutting end of the punch to eject the sample from the cutter without the pusher directly contacting the sample.

Preferably the pusher only contacts the plunger.

Preferably the pusher does not contact the punch.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a plurality of sample retaining sample collectors as hereinbefore described retained together in a magazine.

Preferably the magazine is the same as that from which the collectors were stored prior to sampling.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be an assembly of a sample retaining sample collector as hereinbefore described and a storage container comprising a container body having an opening closed by a removable cap together defining a containment region, the cap including a passage into said containment region, sealed by said collector, said collector holding said sample in said containment region.

Preferably the plunger protrudes from said punch.

Preferably the plunger protrudes from the punch to allow it to pushed after the sample is located in said containment region, to eject the sample from said collector.

Preferably the ejecting causes the sample to contact said container body.

Preferably the ejecting is done after the cap has been removed from said container body after sample taking.

Preferably the cap and container body are connected together in a threaded manner.

Preferably the cap and container body are connected together in manner that includes a tamper evident indictor to visually indicate separation of the cap from the container body.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be an assembly as hereinbefore described having been assembled by a tool that comprising a body able to hold said collector and said container and carrying a ram to drive the collector from (a) a primed position, separated from said container by a part of the organism from which the sample is to be cut, through said part of said organism to (b) a second position where said collector has been driven through said part of said organism by said ram, to remove a sample from said organism, the second position lodging said collector at said passage with said container body.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a method of removing a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into said organism, said collector comprising a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch be driven from an initial position through said organism to remove and retain a biopsy sample and a plunger held by said punch in a manner to allow it to move relative said cutter to remove the cutter retained biopsy sample from the cutter said method comprising driving said collector into said organism so that its cutter moves through said organism to take a sample from said organism and removing said collector from said organism by moving it in one of a direction to drive the collector through the organism and a direction retracting the collector to its initial position, wherein the plunger is not caused to be moved relative said punch by said actuator during driving of the collector into the organism and during said removing of said collector.

Preferably the sample is collected from an organism that is an animal.

Preferably the sample is a tissue sample.

Preferably the sample is taken from the ear of an animal.

Preferably the sample is taken from an animal at a farm.

Preferably said plunger is actuated to remove the sample from the cutter in a laboratory.

Preferably the sample is removed from the cutter after the collector is disassociated with the actuator.

Preferably the plunger is actuated after the collector is disassociated with the actuator.

Preferably the actuator is of a sampling tool as is herein described.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a method of decapping an assembly as hereinbefore described the method comprising the steps pressing the plunger toward the cutting end of the punch to cause the plunger to push a sample off the cutter before or after removing the cap, including the collector held therein, from the storage container body to access the sample.

Preferably pressing occurs after the cap is removed from said container body.

Preferably pressing occurs before the cap is removed causing the plunger to move toward the cutting end of the punch to cause the plunger to push a sample off the cutter and into contact with the storage container body; then removing the cap, including the collector held therein, from the storage container body to access the sample.

Preferably the storage container is one of a plurality of storage container, each storage container being held within a cell of a multi-cell rack.

Preferably each of the storage containers are decapped simultaneously by a machine.

Preferably the method also includes reading a machine readable code of the container body and reading the EID of the collector.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a method of delivering the sample held by the sample retained collector as hereinbefore described for laboratory analysis the method comprising;

(a) presenting and exposed sample of the sample retained collector for transfer to a receptacle

(b) pressing the plunger toward the cutting end of the punch to cause the plunger to push the sample off the cutter and into contact with the receptacle

Preferably the sample is presented above said receptacle to be able to drop into the receptacle upon the sample being pushed off the cutter.

Preferably the sample retaining collector is one of a plurality of sample retaining collectors, each being held by a magazine.

Preferably each of the plungers are pressed sequentially or simultaneously by a machine.

Preferably the method includes removing the collector from any associated container body with which it may be engaged prior to step a, in order to expose the sample for transfer to said receptacle.

Preferably the method also includes reading the EID of the collector an, where used the machine readable code of the container bodies.

Preferably the method includes associating the reading(s) taken with the receptacle by which the sample is to be retained.

Preferably the container body includes engagement means adapted to engage with the rack in a manner to preventing rotation within and/or withdrawal from, the rack during removal of the cap from the container body.

According to another aspect there is described a container body holder having a plurality of cells, each adapted to receive therein a storage container body defining a containment region in which a sample is retained, a base of each cell being adapted to engage with a respective storage container body, an upper end of each storage body presenting a cap holding a sample collector therein, the cap being removable from said container body to gain access to the sample within the containment region.

Preferably the sample collectors are as herein described.

Preferably the caps are as herein described.

In another aspect, there is described a magazine for use with a sampler tool as herein described, wherein the magazine comprises a plurality of chambers each chamber having an open first and an open second end and each hold a collector as herein described.

Preferably the magazine comprises chamber indexing formation or formations to assist in aligning a chamber of the magazine with an actuator of the sampling tool.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in the same manner.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

Any reference to prior art documents in this specification is not to be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is an exploded view of one form of collector;

FIG. 1b is a side view of one form of the collector;

FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional side view of the collector taken along line A-A of FIG. 1b;

FIG. 1d is an end view of the collector of FIG. 1b;

FIG. 1e is a perspective view of another form of the collector;

FIG. 1f is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 1e;

FIG. 1g is a view of the collector in a condition where the plunger is actuated;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of one form of punch for a collector

FIG. 2b is a side view of the punch of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 2c is an end view showing the pushing end of the punch of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 2d is a side view of the punch taken along line A-A of FIG. 2c;

FIG. 2e is an end view showing the cutting end of the punch of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of one form of storage body;

FIG. 3b is a side view of the body of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional side view of the body taken along line A-A of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3d is an end view of the closed second end of the body of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3e is a perspective view of one form of cap for a storage container;

FIG. 3f is another perspective view of the cap of FIG. 3e;

FIG. 3g is a side view of the cap of FIG. 3e;

FIG. 3h is a cross-sectional side view of the cap of FIG. 3g;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one form of the collector before being inserted into a storage container;

FIG. 5 is a side view of one form of tissue sampler in which a storage container is about to be placed into the tissue sampler;

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the tissue sampler with a collecting device magazine about to be placed into the magazine housing of the tissue sampler;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 5 in which an animal's ear is located in the cutting region;

FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional side view of one form of collector before taking a tissue sample from an animal's ear and placing it into a storage container;

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a when cutting a tissue sample from the animal's ear;

FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a after a tissue sample has been cut;

FIG. 6d is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a pressing against a membrane in the cap of the storage container;

FIG. 6e is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a after the membrane has been broken;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which a tissue sample has been cut from the animal's ear;

FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a in which it is plugging the first end of the storage container;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which the animal's ear is removed from the cutting region and the collector has plugged the storage container;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which the ram has been retracted through an empty chamber of the collector magazine and is returned to its rest position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which the storage container containing a tissue sample and collector is being removed from the sampler;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a collecting device magazine;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plurality of collectors held within a multi-cell rack;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the storage container in which the tissue sample has been released from the collector;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional view of a sampler holding a magazine with a collector shown in the ready position aligned to a collection container and wherein a shield 900 is provided as an extension to the collector for the purposes of shielding the ram 130 from the surface or surfaces of the tissue to be sampled and thereby avoid cross contamination between samples;

FIG. 15a is an exploded perspective view of part of the mechanism of the sampler as well as the shield 900, its associated collector 250 and the collection container;

FIG. 15b is a partial sectional view of the ram 130, the shield 900 and the collector 250 and showing an arrangement between the ram and the shield to allow for the shield to be withdrawn back into the magazine after the ram having delivered the collector into engagement with the storage container to thereby retract the shield into the magazine for subsequent disposal;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view for a sampler showing a collector and arranged for the purposes of retracting the collector back into the magazine after sampling, where the ram is in the withdrawn position;

FIG. 17 shows the sampler of FIG. 16 wherein the ram has moved to the advanced position to drive a collector at least partially through the tissue to be sampled and ready to be withdrawn back into the magazine;

FIG. 18 is a variation of a sampler of the kind that will withdraw the collector back into the magazine wherein a secondary magazine is provided on the opposite side to the cutting region, the secondary magazine provided for the purposes of presenting a clean or fresh surface for each of the cutters of a collector to react against to avoid cross contamination, the secondary magazine optionally also carrying a plug or cap to plug or cap the sample when the ram is in a fully advanced position and for that cap to be retracted back into the magazine with the respective collector for storage; and

FIG. 19 is a view of the sampler of FIG. 18 with the ram in the extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to a collector for collecting a biopsy sample from an organism. The sample may be from plants or animals particularly, including pigs, goats, cattle, sheep, poultry, and fish. It is preferably a tissue sample taken from the ear of an animal. In use, the collector may optionally be used together with a storage container so that together the collector and container can collect and store a biopsy sample for later analysis. The use of a storage container with the collector may not be required in certain manners of use of the collector. Also herein described is a method of taking a biopsy sample and to a method of ejecting a biopsy sample from a collector.

FIGS. 1a to 1g show a preferred form of a collector 250. The collector can be used with the tissue sampler as will herein after be described or with another suitable tissue sampler.

The collector 250 comprises a punch 251 having a body with a cutter 255 at a cutting end 252a of the punch 251. The punch 251 also has an opposing pushing end 252b. The body of the punch 251 preferably has a slot or bore 253. The bore 253 extends from one end of the punch to the other. It preferably extends along the length of the punch between the cutting end and the pushing end, as shown in FIGS. 2a to 2e. Preferably, the punch has an elongate straight body and the bore is centrally located within the body of the punch.

In one form, the outer surface of the body of the punch comprises guides in the form of one or more projections or recesses to help locate the punch within a cap of a storage container as will be described later. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a to 2d, the guides comprise three evenly spaced ribs 254 that project from the pushing end 252b of the punch. A lead-in 254a may also be provided.

A cutter 255 is provided at the cutting end 252a of the punch to remove a sample from an organism. The cutter may be attached to the punch or it may be integral with the punch so that the cutter and punch are formed as a single part. The cutter 255 may be cylindrical. It may alternatively be of another shape suitable to remove a sample. The sample may for example be taken from the tip of the ear of an animal and the cutter may as a result be U or V shaped or other shape. It need not take a core sample but an edge sample instead. Being of a hollow section such as cylindrical does offer the added benefit of being able to retain the sample, as a plug, by the cutter. The cutter can remove a sample plug that ends up sitting in the cutter.

A free end of the cutter 255 is presented to form a cutting edge 255a. The cutter 255 preferably extends from and surrounds one end of the bore 253 of the punch at the cutting end of the punch body to form a projecting surrounding wall or walls. Preferably, the bore 253 of the punch is cylindrical so that the cutting edge is substantially circular. A sample holding section 256 is formed by the cutter, preferably within the projecting wall(s) of the cutter. In this way, the cutter provides a sample holding section 256 such as a bore. The bore is a blind bore terminated by the end of the plunger 257. It is aligned with the bore formed in the body of the punch. For the sake of simplicity, the bore 253 of the punch, when referred to in this specification, should be interpreted to include the bore formed in the body of the punch and the bore formed in the cutter because the two are preferably contiguous.

A plunger 257 is held at the bore 253 of the punch and forms part of the collector. In one form the plunger protrudes at least partially from the punch. In other forms it is contained entirely within the bore. Being within the bore helps protect it and prevent tampering therewith at least unless an appropriate tool is used.

The plunger preferably includes a machine readable electronic identity (EID) tag such as a radio frequency identity (RFID) tag. The RFID system may be selected according to the anticipated manufacturing and use conditions of the tissue sample collector. For example a typical passive tag, active reader, system operating at low frequency can provide robust identification devices suitable for embedding in molded plastic components at a unit cost that is appropriate. The tag 259 illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1c is typical of the form of RFID tags of this type. However other systems, such as passive tag systems operating in the UH range can provide lower unit costs. Tags of this type are available that are claimed to be sufficiently robust for embedding in molded plastic components.

To work well with these small RFID tags, an RFID reader may be integrated to the tissue sampler, or mounted to the tissue sampler, immediately adjacent the position that a sample occupies at the time of use.

The plunger has a first end 258a and an opposing second end 258b.

The plunger 257 can be seen to extend into the bore 253 of the punch 251. The fit of the plunger in the bore is snug yet allowing for the plunger to slide relative the punch. In the preferred form the plunger outer surface is contiguous the inner surface of the bore. This ensure that a seal is created there between, preventing ingress of contaminants from the pushing end of the punch to the cutting end, through the bore.

The plunger and punch are in a sliding relationship with each other whether it is using a bore and pin like relationship or other. They are in a sliding relationship so that the sample can be pushed off the cutter.

The plunger in the preferred form extends into the bore of the punch and can push a plug of sample tissue from the sample holding section 256. This pushing may be to push the sample into a storage container with which the collector becomes associated after sample taking. It may occur at the time of sampling or well after such as in the laboratory at where the sample will be processed. In the lab the sample may be pushed off the cutter and into a test tube, or into a storage container if used, for analysis.

The plunger is able to be positioned in an active position as shown in FIG. 1b and be moved to a plunged position as seen in FIG. 1g.

When the plunger is in an active position, ready for the collector to remove a sample from the cutter, the second end of the plunger may project from the pushing end of the punch and the first end of the plunger is held within the bore of the punch between the sample holding section and the pushing end of the punch. Preferably, at or near the first end 258a of the plunger is enlarged or provides some form that creates an interference to the removal of the plunger from the punch in one direction. A similar enlargement (not shown) may be provided at or near the other end of the plunger. The or each enlargement helps prevent the removal of the plunger that may carry the RFID from the collector.

The collector is adapted to cut a sample of tissue from an animal or plant, using the cutter. The sample can temporarily be held by the cutter such as within the sample holding section. To release the sample from the sample holding section, the plunger can be pushed from its active position so that it moves in the direction of the sample. It may be pushed into the bore of the punch more and toward the cutting edge and through the sample holding cavity so that the tissue sample is pushed off the cutter.

Although in a preferred form the punch is substantially tubular and the plunger is substantially cylindrical, it is envisaged that the punch and plunger may be of any suitable complementary shape. For example, the bore of the punch may have a square cross-section and the plunger may also have a square cross-section of a slightly smaller size so that the plunger can slide within the bore of the punch. It should be appreciated that the cutting edge of the cutter could also be of any suitable shape and size to cut a tissue sample that fits within the storage container for receiving the sample. For example, the cutting tip may be square, oval, star shaped or irregularly shaped.

As mentioned, the collector may be used together with a storage container. In the preferred form the collector is held by a tissue sampler as will herein after be described that also holds the storage container at the time of sampling.

In one form, as shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d, the storage container 500 comprises a container body 510 having an open first end 501a and a closed second end 501b, which forms the base of the container body, although it should be appreciated that the container body will not always be oriented so that the base is at the bottom of the container body.

Optionally, the base of the container body is flat and unique indicia 502, such as a bar code, QR code, matrix code, or the like machine readable code is provided on the base, as shown in FIG. 9d. Alternatively or additionally, unique indicia is provided along the side of the container body. The unique indicia is used to provide information about the source of the sample that will ultimately be placed within the storage container 500. An RFID may instead or also be attached to the container when used.

In one form, the container body 510 comprises a tissue sample chamber 503 at its base to receive a tissue sample. A preservative 505 may be provided in the tissue chamber.

Preferably, the outer surface of the container body comprises anti-rotation means 504 located at or near the base of the container, as shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d. The anti-rotation means comprise one or more recesses and/or projections adapted to prevent the container body from rotating within a cell of a holding rack, as will be described later in this specification.

Optionally, the storage container comprises a cap that attaches to the open first end of the container body to seal the container body. Alternatively, the cap may have an aperture/passage formed therein through which a tissue sample can pass to be placed in the container body. In this form, the cap is attached to the container body, but does not fully seal the container body. The storage container, preferably at the cap, provides a die for the punch to cooperate with in cutting the sample away from the animal. The die includes the aperture/passage. This allows a shear action like removal of the tissue by the die/punch combination.

Preferably, the container body comprises a threaded region at or near its first end that meshes with a threaded region of the cap to allow the cap to be screwed onto and off the storage container. Alternatively, the cap is attached to the open end of the container body with a snug fit. In yet another form, the cap comprises a lip on its inner surface that nests within a channel that surrounds the outer surface of the container body near the open end of the container body. As will be appreciated, the cap may be attached to the container body in any other suitable arrangement and these are just some examples that could be used. A threaded relationship is preferred because it assists in cap removal.

In one form, the storage container 500 comprises a cap 550 that is screwed onto a threaded region 506 of the container body 510, as described above. In particular, the cap comprises a threaded shaft 551 that is adapted to engage with a threaded interior region 506 of the storage container 500 so that a first end of the shaft projects toward the base 501b of the container. Alternatively, the shaft may have a threaded bore that is adapted to engage with a threaded exterior region of the container body so that a first end of the shaft projects toward the end of the container body. A collar 552 extends from the opposing second end of the threaded shaft. The collar 552 comprises an outwardly projecting annular flange 553 and a guide wall 554 that extends from the periphery of the flange 553 in a direction away from the shaft 551 to form a substantially cylindrical wall. Preferably, an outer surface of the guide wall is contoured or textured to provide a knurled cap.

A centrally located recess 555 is provided within the collar 552 and between the guide wall. The recess may be specially shaped for engagement with a correspondingly shaped cap-release tool to remove the cap from the container body. For example, the recess 555 may have a tool-engageable edge 559 that provides the recess with a cruciform shape, star shape, hex shape, square shape, oval shape, or any other regular or irregular shape that corresponds to the shape of a tool for inserting into the recess and turning the cap to unscrew the cap from the container body. However, it is preferred that the outer surface of the guide wall is shaped to correspond with the shape of a tool, or to at least provide a gripping region, for gripping the outer wall and turning the cap to decap the storage container.

The recess 555 aligns with a passage 556 that is centrally located through the cap. The cap also comprises a breakable seal 557, which may be in the form of a membrane, or the like, that extends laterally across the cap. The seal may be formed integrally with the collar and shaft of the cap so that the entire cap is made as one part.

Preferably, the seal is located at or near a first end of the shaft, but in other forms, the seal may be located within the collar of the cap or in any other suitable location. The seal 557 may be of any suitable material, such as polypropylene, rubber, polyethylene, or the like. When the cap 550 is attached to the body of a container body 510 so that the first end of the shaft projects into the body, the seal 557 extends across the body to seal the first end 501a of the container body. Preferably, the cap 550 also comprises a second seal 558, such as an o-ring, that fits over the outside of the threaded shaft 551 and abuts the collar 552 of the cap. In this form, when the cap is attached to the body of a storage container, the second seal is positioned between the first end 501a of the body and the collar 552 of the cap 550 to seal the connection between the cap and the body. In this arrangement, the cap can be screwed onto a sterile body to hermetically seal the containment region in the body. The body interior can remain sterile until the seal is broken and a tissue sample is placed in the container body.

In the preferred form the cap and the container body are engaged to each other in some tamper evident manner. This allow for detection of the removal of the cap from the container body. Preferably the tamper evident manner provides some visual evidence of tampering. For example, connecting tabs may be provided between the collar and an attachment ring of the cap that is securely attached to the container body. In this form, if the cap is twisted away from the attachment ring (such as by unscrewing the cap from the body), the connecting tabs break to indicate that the storage container has been tampered with. A shrink wrap over the container cap interface may be used as a tamper evident indicator. A sticker may be used that will pull apart when the cap and container are separated. A frangible ring or the like could be used also.

The storage container, when used, and collector are aligned at the time of sampling as shown in FIG. 4. They are separated prior to sampling so that part of the organism from which the sample is to be removed can be located there between.

As will now be described, the collector and when used the storage container may be so held for sampling purposes by a sampler. The sampler is described in our co-pending international application PCT/NZ2014/000106 which by way of cross reference is hereby incorporated. Pneumatically or electrically operated samplers or other are also envisaged as being adaptable for use with the present invention.

The storage container is dimensioned to fit within the storage container holder 300 of the tissue sampler 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and to receive a collector through the first end of the storage container, as indicated in FIG. 4.

When a tissue sample is to be taken, a storage container 500 is placed in the container holder 300 so that its first end 501 faces toward the cutting region 400, as shown in FIG. 5.

A plurality of collectors 250 may be positioned within a magazine housing 200 loaded into the tissue sampler. The magazine can sequentially present each collector for sampling. This is achieved by aligning the collectors individually with an actuator such as a ram 130 of the sampler 1.

As shown in FIG. 11, the magazine housing 200 is sized to receive a magazine 240 comprising a plurality of chambers 241, each chamber being adapted to hold a collector 250 therein and having open first and second opposing ends 241a, 241b. The magazine, is preferably in the form of a cylinder having a centrally located axle or bore 242 that extends through or into the magazine. The chambers are positioned concentrically around the bore and preferably near the circumference of the magazine. Preferably, at least a portion of the chambers in the magazine 240 is of a transparent material, so that the presence of a collector in any of the chambers can be identified. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the magazine comprises 25 chambers, although the magazine may have any suitable number of chambers. The magazine may carry an EID or machine removable code. In the preferred form the magazine can rotate to index collectors for actuation. In other forms the magazine may translate instead.

The second end of the collector aligns the ram 130 and the cutting edge 255a of the cutter 255 aligns with a cutting region aperture 211 of the sampler, as shown in FIG. 6.

The storage container holder 300 of the tissue sampler is adapted to hold a storage container 500 therein.

As shown in FIG. 5 the cutting region 400 comprises a space in which tissue 450 from a sample specimen can be positioned. In FIG. 6, an animal's ear 450 is schematically shown positioned within the cutting region. The ear, or other item, is kept in the cutting region as a tissue sample is cut from the ear.

A ram 130 is positioned within the ram housing 120 of the sampler. The ram forms part of an actuating means, which also comprises a trigger 150 operably connected to the ram 130. A guiding recess 132 is formed in the first end of the ram and is shaped to correspond with the second end 258b of the plunger, which projects from the punch. The guiding recess 132 is dimensioned so that the projecting portion of the plunger can fit within the recess and so that the first end of the ram 121a can abut the pushing end 252b of the punch.

This prevents the ram actuating the plunger during sampling, only driving the collector through the sample specimen by pushing on the punch.

The ram 130 is adapted to slide back and forth within the ram housing 120 as the trigger 150 is engaged and disengaged.

To cut a tissue sample, a user may use the sampler as herein described. They may insert a storage container 500 into the holder 300 so that a portion of the storage container is pushed into the sampler receiving aperture 321 so that the first end of the storage container projects slightly from the sample receiving aperture 321 and into the cutting region, as shown in FIG. 6. The magazine 240 is orientated so that the cutting edge of a punch 251 of the active collecting device 250 is aligned with the cutting region aperture 211 and the second end of the plunger 257 is aligned with the ram receiving aperture 221. As will be appreciated, the magazine can be placed into the tissue sampler before or after the storage container is placed in the tissue sampler.

The user then holds the handle of the tissue sampler and positions the sampler so that tissue 450 to be sampled (such as of an animal's ear) is located in the cutting region 400, as shown in FIG. 6. The user squeezes the trigger 150 toward the gripping member 160 to move the trigger from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

The ram moves through the ram receiving aperture and pushes against an active collecting device. The ram continues pushing to push the collector out of the chamber of the magazine, through the cutting region aperture, into the cutting region, and toward the storage container.

As the ram pushes the collector through the cutting region, the cutting end of the punch pushes the animal's ear (or other tissue) against the first end of the storage cap and the first wall of the cutting region. The cutting edge of the punch is then pushed through the ear or other tissue to cut a sample plug from the tissue.

The tissue sample is held within the sample holding region of the collector and the collector is pushed into the first end of the storage container to place the sample within the container.

As shown where the first end of the storage container 500 comprises a cap 550 with a seal 557 as described above, the collector 250 is pushed into the recess 555 formed in the cap. Optionally, the wall of the recess comprises one or more ribs for engaging with the guiding ribs 254 of the punch to guide the body of the punch within the cap. As the collector pushes into the cap, the cutting edge 255a of the punch presses against and then pierces the seal or membrane 557 to form an opening to the storage body. The cutting end of the punch (holding the plunger therein) is then pushed through the opening so that the sample holding region 256, and the sample 460 held within the cavity 256, is located within the body of the storage container 500. The collector fills the opening formed by the broken seal to close off the first end of the container. In particular, the diameter of the punch is sized to fit snugly within the opening formed in the cap so that the cap is able to hold the collector therein. Preferably, the second end of the plunger projects from the pushing end of the punch and the first end of the plunger is located within the bore of the punch between the sample holding cavity and the pushing end of the punch. In this arrangement, the plunger can be depressed and pushed through the sample holding region to release the tissue sample into the storage container. This may occur manually or by tool and may be done at sampling or after.

When the collector closes off the first end of the storage container, the punch and the plunger are held by the cap of the storage container so that the cutter is held within the container body. It is therefore not necessary for the user to handle the punch with its sharp cutting edge or to otherwise remove and discard the punch from the tissue sampler.

The trigger mechanism of the sampler 1 is such that the action of cutting the tissue sample, placing the sample in the storage container, and releasing the animal's ear is almost instantaneous so that if the animal reacts to having its ear cut and pulls away, there is little chance that the animal can pull the tissue sampler from the user's hand before the ear is released.

The storage container, including the cap holding the collector can then be removed from the container holder and an unused replacement storage container can then be fitted into the holder. The collector magazine is rotated incrementally until the next chamber containing an unused collector is aligned with the ram receiving aperture and cutting region aperture, ready for another tissue sample to be taken.

Once all the collectors in the magazine have been used the magazine can be removed from the sampler 1.

Preferably, the storage containers removed from the tissue sampler are placed within respective cells 610 of a multi-cell rack 600, such as a 96 well rack as shown in FIGS. 12, before being sent to a laboratory for decapping and future analysis of the samples.

The collector is adapted so that the plunger can be pushed to release the tissue sample from the sample holding region and into the tissue chamber at the bottom of the container. In particular, the second end of the plunger can be depressed toward the pushing end of the punch to cause the first end of the plunger to push a tissue sample out of the sample holding region and into the body of the storage container. To assist with the release of the tissue sample, the first end of the plunger may be enlarged and may comprise an anti-stick surface formed of a non-stick material, such as Teflon™. The plunger may be depressed and pushed towards the sample holding region after the container has been removed from a tissue sampler.

Preferably, the tissue sample is held at the sample holding region when the storage container is removed from the tissue sampler. The storage containers may then be placed within respective cells of a multi-cell rack so that the base of each storage containers is at the bottom of the respective cell and the caps of the storage containers project above the cells, as shown in FIG. 12. The diameter or width of the cells is sized to be commensurate with the diameter or width of the storage containers.

A machine may be used to depress the plungers within the caps of the storage containers automatically, either by depressing the plunger consecutively or by simultaneously depressing the plungers of all n the rack. As each plunger is depressed and pushed deeper into or through the bore of the punch and through the sample holding region toward the base of the storage containers, the sample is pushed from of the sample holding region and is deposited into the chamber at the bottom of the storage containers, as shown in FIG. 13. The tool so used in the lab does not contact the sample.

Where the outer surface of the body of each storage containers comprises anti-rotation means, the storage containers are located within the respective cells of the holder so that the anti-rotation means engage with corresponding anti-rotation means provided within the cells. For example, one or more projections formed on a container body will engage with one or more recesses formed in the walls of the respective cell.

The anti-rotation means of the storage containers and cells prevent the containers from rotating within the cells so that the storage containers can be automatically decapped by unscrewing the caps from the body.

To decap the storage containers, a cap engaging tool (not shown) engages with the correspondingly shaped recess of the cap, or to grip onto the outer surface of the guide wall of the cap, and is rotated in the appropriate direction to unscrew the cap from the body. Typically, a machine is provided in which multiple cap engaging tools engage with the caps of multiple containers in a rack to decap the containers of the rack simultaneously. Decapping enables the samples within the containers to be accessed and removed from the container body for analysis.

Optionally, each cell within the rack comprises an open or transparent bottom for reading unique indicia located on the base of each storage containers held within the rack so that the source of each sample can be identified and linked with the data obtained from the sample.

Laboratory testing of the sample may occur in the storage container itself is one is used, or alternatively the sample is removed from the container before testing.

A variation of the present invention may not involve a storage container at the time of sampling. Instead the sample is taken by the collector by driving the cutter through the sample and then taking the sample carrying collector to a laboratory for testing. The sample containing collector, after taking a sample may be retracted back into the magazine for storage therein. This is for example shown with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. A tapered or wedging or catch like relationship between the ram and the collector can be established to withdraw. A stop can be employed to stop the sample retaining collector in the magazine allowing the ram to then separate.

The collectors may be transported for testing without a storage container and may be housed by the magazine and the samples may be directly dispensed by depressing each plunger whilst remaining retained to said magazine, in the laboratory.

If no storage container is used, the plunger may eject the sample from the punch for subsequent testing.

A collector located RFID tag is useful for tracking and tamper prevention purposes. The RFID may be used at the time the sample is taken, it identifies the sample to a collector ID.

Prior, during or immediately after the sample is taken, the sample collector RFID tag can be read and stored along with a unique ID that is derived from a storage container ID and/or derived from an animal associated ID such as from an ear tag carried by the animal tested. This will ensure that at least 2 and preferably three individual identifiers (eg numbers) are locked to a sample taken. One from the collector RFID tag, and one from said animal associated ID and preferably from said container. These linked numbers are stored at sampling time in a database. The aim is to make it tamper resistant and limit the options to substitute samples. The container's (when used and when carrying an ID) and the collector's ID may be read during the lab processing and again checked to the database. The methods to read/transfer information from the container, collectors and ear tags at sampling would be existing technologies of reader and an intended reader within the sampler if possible. The data collected at the laboratory from the RFID devices would be unique identifier with which information derived from sample testing can be associated.

Advantages

The present invention allows the sample that is taken by the biopsy collector to be retained by the collector. It can remain retained with the cutter and be carried thereby and be protected thereby. A plunger of the biopsy collector stays associated with the biopsy collector after sampling and can be actuated at any time after sampling to eject the sample from the cutter. This allows the sample to be ejected by the still associated plunger at the laboratory and thereby avoid cross contamination. Such sample cross contamination may otherwise occur by use of a laboratory tool that comes into contact with the sample. Instead the tool contacts the plunger.

When used with a storage container the biopsy collector avoids the need for the user to handle and/or dispose of used punches at the time of sampling. The biopsy collector is held by the storage container after a sample is taken, so it is not necessary for the user to handle and/or dispose of the used punch. Furthermore, the biopsy collector allows for the sample to be held by the cutter and be deliberately ejected from the cutter and into a storage container at will. Not just at the time of sampling. And not automatically at the time of sampling. The collector and its punch stay connected to the storage container after sampling reducing or eliminating waste at time of sampling.

If no storage container is used at the time of sampling, the sample retained by the cutter remains protected and well retained by the cutter.

Where the collector is pulled back into the magazine after sampling the animal, no storage container is involved. Container costs and time handling such is eliminated. The cost of sampling would be less, and be quicker to complete.

Although the invention has been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification.

Claims

1. A sample collector to take and hold a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into said organism, said collector comprising:

a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch to remove and retain a biopsy sample and a plunger retained to said punch in a manner to allow it to move relative said cutter to remove a cutter retained biopsy sample from the cutter.

2. A sample collector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plunger is mounted to said punch.

3. A sample collector as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the plunger is not caused to be moved relative said punch by said actuator upon driving of the collector into the organism.

4. A sample collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the plunger is able to move relative said punch but is not able to be removed there from.

5. A sample collector as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein said punch includes a passage there through extending from the cutting edge of said cutter to an opposed end of said punch, said plunger retained to said punch at said passage to be guided for movement thereby.

6. A sample collector as claimed in claim 5 wherein said plunger is positioned at least in part in said passage.

7. A sample collector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the plunger is positioned entirely in said passage.

8. A sample collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said punch includes an opposed end to said cutting end at where said punch can receive a force from said actuator to drive said collector into said organism.

9. A sample collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein a sample holding pocket is defined between an end of the plunger and punch, at the cutting end of the punch.

10. A sample collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising an EID.

11. A sample collector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the EID is secured to one of said plunger and punch.

12. A sample collector as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11 wherein said punch is adapted and configured to be held to said actuator.

13. A sample collector as claimed in anyone of claims 12 wherein said punch is adapted and configured to be releasably held to said actuator in a manner to allow said collector to be pulled back by said actuator in a direction opposite to its collector driving direction.

14. A sample collector as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein said punch includes a recess at which said actuator can become releasably wedged in order to allow the actuator to pull the collectors back to the side of the organisms from which sample removal was initiated.

15. A sampler tool to cooperate with the collector as claimed in claim 1, the tool comprising a body carrying a ram to drive the collector and able to be actuated to move along a path relative the body between a first position aligned to drive the collector from a primed position and push the cutter through part of an organism and a second position where said cutter has been so pushed through by said ram, to remove a sample from said organism.

16. A sampler tool as claimed in claim 15 wherein said ram acts on said punch of said collector in a manner to not be able to cause relative movement of the plunger relative said punch.

17. A sampler tool as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein said ram is adapted and configured to become associated with said collector in a manner to cause the collector to be moved back to its primed position as said ram moves from its second position to its first position.

18. A sampler tool as claimed in claim 17 wherein said ram and said punch are adapted and configured to allow a severable interference fit to be established between them, the interference fit, when established, allowing the ram to pull the collector back to its primed position.

19. A sampler tool as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 18 wherein the tool includes a magazine receptacle, to hold a magazine containing a plurality of said collectors, the magazine receptacle allowing the magazine to move relative the tool so that each collector can be presented in a manner for being driven by said ram.

20. A sampler tool as claimed in claim 19 wherein said ram when moving back to its first position from said second position, deposits a sample retaining collector back into the position is came from in the magazine.

21. A sampler tool as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 20 wherein said second position of the ram is more proximate but shy of the location of the tool at where said sample is cut than the first position of the ram.

22. A sample retaining sample collector comprising a sample collector as claimed in claim 1 wherein a sample from an organism removed by said cutter is retained by said cutter and said plunger is in a position relative said punch able to move said sample from cutter.

23. A dispenser to dispenser a sample from a sample retaining sample collector as claimed in claim 22 the dispenser including a pusher able to move said plunger toward the cutting end of the punch to eject the sample from the cutter without the pusher directly contacting the sample.

24. A plurality of sample retaining sample collectors as claimed in claim 22 retained together in a magazine.

25. An assembly of a sample retaining sample collector as claimed in claim 22 and a storage container comprising a container body having an opening closed by a removable cap together defining a containment region, the cap including a passage into said containment region, sealed by said collector, said collector holding said sample in said containment region.

26. An assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein the plunger protrudes from said punch.

27. An assembly as claimed in claim 25 having been assembled by a tool that comprising a body able to hold said collector and said container and carrying a ram to drive the collector from (a) a primed position, separated from said container by a part of the organism from which the sample is to be cut, through said part of said organism to (b) a second position where said collector has been driven through said part of said organism by said ram, to remove a sample from said organism, the second position lodging said collector at said passage with said container body.

28. A method of removing a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into said organism, said collector comprising a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch be driven from an initial position through said organism to remove and retain a biopsy sample and a plunger held by said punch in a manner to allow it to move relative said cutter to remove the cutter retained biopsy sample from the cutter said method comprising driving said collector into said organism so that its cutter moves through said organism to take a sample from said organism and removing said collector from said organism by moving it in one of a direction to drive the collector through the organism and a direction retracting the collector to its initial position, wherein the plunger is not caused to be moved relative said punch by said actuator during driving of the collector into the organism and during said removing of said collector.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 wherein said plunger is actuated to remove the sample from the cutter in a laboratory.

30. A method of decapping an assembly as claimed in claim 25 the method comprising the steps pressing the plunger toward the cutting end of the punch to cause the plunger to push a sample off the cutter before or after removing the cap, including the collector held therein, from the storage container body to access the sample.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30 wherein pressing occurs after the cap is removed from said container body.

32. A method as claimed in claim 30 wherein pressing occurs before the cap is removed causing the plunger to move toward the cutting end of the punch to cause the plunger to push a sample off the cutter and into contact with the storage container body; then removing the cap, including the collector held therein, from the storage container body to access the sample.

33. The method of any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the storage container is one of a plurality of storage container, each storage container being held within a cell of a multi-cell rack.

34. The method of any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein each of the storage containers are decapped simultaneously by a machine.

35. A method of delivering the sample held by the sample retained collector of claim 22 for laboratory analysis the method comprising;

(a) presenting and exposed sample of the sample retained collector for transfer to a receptacle

(b) pressing the plunger toward the cutting end of the punch to cause the plunger to push the sample off the cutter and into contact with the receptacle

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the sample retaining collector is one of a plurality of sample retaining collectors, each being held by a magazine.

37. The method of claim 35 or 36 wherein each of the plungers are pressed sequentially or simultaneously by a machine.