Abstract: A pneumatic circuit and other components are provided for the operation of a medical device. The pneumatic circuit provides controlled pressurized air to a medical device for use during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A pneumatic circuit and other components are provided for the operation of a medical device. The pneumatic circuit provides controlled pressurized air to a medical device for use during a medical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods to reduce the insertion force of a medical needle using reciprocal rotation motion about the longitudinal axis. The device of the invention converts continuous rotational motion to reciprocal rotational motion for the beveled needle. A needle using reciprocal rotational motion creates a slit in the tissue, sufficient in size to equal the maximum circumference of the needle prior to insertion of the needle. The insertion force will decrease as the speed of the reciprocal rotational motion increases until a steady state insertion force is achieved.

Abstract: An assembly for taking a biopsy sample from a site within the body of a patient includes a housing that is positioned over the bedside table of a patient and contains a biopsy actuator assembly used to propel the needles. The biopsy actuator includes a base-frame receiving a cannula slide and a stylet slide, each slide containing a needle holder for propelling the needles with the aid of one spring each. An electrical magnet-triggering device is provided for releasing the stylet slide, which in turn is adapted during the final phase of its propulsion to release the cannula slide. The housing fits to a needle assembly including a flexible guide tube, a flexible cannula and a stylet. The assembly further includes an electrocautery element and a mechanism for adjusting the forward speed and the depth of invasion of the needles.

Abstract: A driver apparatus is provided for use with a biopsy instrument, the driver apparatus including a housing and an insertion mechanism including a carriage movably associated with the housing and adapted to support the biopsy instrument to affect longitudinal movement of at least a portion of the biopsy instrument. A linear motion control mechanism is also included that is adapted to move a tissue cutting element of the biopsy instrument from a first position to a second position relative to a tissue receiving portion of the biopsy instrument. Further, a tissue retract mechanism is included which facilitates removal of a tissue specimen from the biopsy instrument without removing the entire biopsy instrument from a surgical site.

Abstract: An assembly for taking a biopsy sample from a site within the body of a patient includes a housing that is positioned over the bedside table of a patient and contains a biopsy actuator assembly used to propel the needles. The biopsy actuator includes a base-frame receiving a cannula slide and a stylet slide, each slide containing a needle holder for propelling the needles with the aid of one spring each. An electrical magnet-triggering device is provided for releasing the stylet slide, which in turn is adapted during the final phase of its propulsion to release the cannula slide. The housing fits to a needle assembly including a flexible guide tube, a flexible cannula and a stylet. The assembly further includes an electrocautery element and a mechanism for adjusting the forward speed and the depth of invasion of the needles.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine. The biopsy instrument described herein incorporates incorporates a firing mechanism to rapidly advance the biopsy probe into the breast.

Abstract: A system adapted to control the operation of a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy device provided with a syringe to which is transferred a tissue sample extracted from an internal target in the body of a patient in which the needle is injected. Associated with, this biopsy device is an ultrasound imaging instrument having a transducer placed on a body site overlying the internal target and coupled to a CRT monitor. The needle is injected into the patient through a guide passage in the transducer, hence displayed on the CRT screen is an image of the internal target and that of the advancing needle. The biopsy device is controlled by a pneumatic or motor-driven mechanism operatively coupled to a guide tube through which the needle extends. For a first phase of an operating cycle, the mechanism advances the needle toward the target to extract a tissue sample therefrom. In a second operating phase, the mechanism acts to retract the tissue loaded needle from the body of the patient.

Abstract: A cutting device for ophthalmologic surgery in the eye of a living being specifically for suctioning, cutting and removing portions of the vitreous humor of the eye and/or tissue particles, includes a housing and a probe disposed thereon for insertion into the vitreous humor with the probe including a guide tube with a suction opening at its distal end and an inner tube co-axially inserted therein which is slideably movable in axial direction relative to the suction opening, and a control member configured to translate a rotational movement of the drive into a linear movement of the inner tube to thereby move the inner tube in the guide tube in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the resting position to the closing position and back to the resting position while preventing a linear movement of the inner tube at rotating drive when the inner tube is in the resting position.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance tomograph having a continuous channel for inserting from one end a stretcher with a female patient lying thereon in a prone position during magnetic resonance mammography, the tomograph is provided with a manipulator by which instruments for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of such patients breasts can be introduced into the channel from the other end and positioned in relation to the breasts which are disposed in the isocenter of the magnetic resonance tomograph. The manipulator has a support arm with a recess for receiving the various instruments which can be installed and exchanged from the other, that is, the proximal end. The support arm with the recess can be pivoted horizontally and vertically about a fixed point located outside the recess and beyond the tip at the distal end of the manipulator adjacent to a breast of the patient.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a biopsy device and method for the collection of at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The device includes a frame and an elongated piercing element attached to the distal end of the frame. The piercing element has distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The piercing element has a sharpened member at its distal end for piercing tissue, and a port proximal thereto which exposes the lumen. The device further includes an elongated cutter and tissue remover disposed coaxially and slidably within the lumen of the piercing element for harvesting a tissue mass disposed within the port of the piercing element and depositing the tissue mass proximal to the port for retrieval.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods and to reduce the insertion force of a medical needle using reciprocal rotation motion about the longitudinal axis. The device of the invention converts continuous rotational motion to reciprocal rotational motion for the beveled needle. A needle using reciprocal rotational motion creates a slit in the tissue, sufficient in size to equal the maximum circumference of the needle prior to insertion of the needle. The insertion force will decrease as the speed of the reciprocal rotational motion decreases until a steady state insertion force is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing tissue and/or other material from a patient is provided. The apparatus generally includes a handpiece and a tissue removal mechanism connected thereto. The tissue removal mechanism includes a cannula having an open distal tip and an outer diameter of less than about 5 mm or less than about 2 mm. The mechanism further includes a rotatable element having a distal portion with helical threading. The distal portion of the rotatable element extends beyond the open distal tip of the cannula in order to allow tissue to prolapse between turns of the helical threading. The apparatus is designed to draw soft tissue into the cannula upon rotation of the rotatable element without the need for supplemental sources of aspiration.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow tubular shaped biopsy needle having a hollow elliptical cross section shaped lumen therethrough, and the method for fabricating the needle and the apparatus for operating the needle. The structure of the biopsy needle of this invention is simple and easy to fabricate, and thus the production cost can be reduced. In comparison of the smaller diameter of this invented biopsy needle to the diameter of the other biopsy needles, the size of the extracted sample will be bigger and wounds of the patient can be less. The apparatus of this invention will help to reduce the operating force during extracting tissue samples, and helps rotation and straight movements of the needle.

Abstract: A novel handle assembly has an opening that allows for the insertion of a needle set. The needle set is an integral unit and consists of an outer hollow cannula and an inner pointed tip stylet. The stylet and the cannula are capable of being urged forward separately into the biopsy area in a defined motion in relation to each other. The handle assembly includes a housing, and a slidable extension. In operation, the stylet and the cannula are inserted into the housing. The extension is moved rearward until the cannula is in a spring loaded position and a first locking member has engaged a second locking member. An adjustable wheel on the extension is turned to set the stylet to a predetermined distance for insertion into the biopsy area. The stylet and the cannula are inserted into a patient near the biopsy area. The stylet is then urged into the biopsy area to the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A handheld biopsy device is provided for the collection of soft tissue samples from a surgical patient. In a preferred embodiment, the biopsy device comprises a handpiece, a fluid collection system, and a power transmission source. The handpiece is configured for grasping by a single hand, and being independently manipulatable by hand for movement of the instrument toward and away from the patient. An elongated piercer extends from the distal end of the handpiece. The piercer has a sharpened distal end for entering the tissue and a port located proximal to the sharpened distal end for receiving a portion of tissue mass. An elongated cutter is disposed coaxially relative to a piercer lumen of the piercer. A distal blade of the cutter slides distally past the port of the piercer to severe the tissue portion drawn into the port by vacuum. The cutter is retracted to a most proximal position for removal of the tissue portion from a cutter lumen of the cutter.

Abstract: A driver apparatus is provided for use with a biopsy instrument, the driver apparatus including a housing and an insertion mechanism including a carriage movably associated with the housing and adapted to support the biopsy instrument to affect longitudinal movement of at least a portion of the biopsy instrument. A linear motion control mechanism is also included that is adapted to move a tissue cutting element of the biopsy instrument from a first position to a second position relative to a tissue receiving portion of the biopsy instrument. Further, a tissue retract mechanism is included which facilitates removal of a tissue specimen from the biopsy instrument without removing the entire biopsy instrument from a surgical site.

Abstract: A needle biopsy system (10) includes a biopsy needle (210), and a needle support assembly (200). The needle support assembly (200) holds the biopsy needle (210) and manipulates the biopsy needle (210) in response to received control signals. A needle simulator (250) having an input device (252) generates the control signals in response to manipulation of the input device (252) by an operator. The operator, in turn, receives feedback from the needle simulator (250) in accordance with forces experienced by the biopsy needle (210). In a preferred embodiment, the feedback received by the operator includes tactile sensations experienced by the operator as the operator manipulates the input device (252). The tactile sensations mimic those the operator would have received had the operator directly manipulated the biopsy needle (210). Optionally, a curved needle guide (280) is employed to restrict the biopsy needle's progression longitudinally therethrough.

Abstract: A driver apparatus is provided for use with a biopsy instrument, the driver apparatus including a housing and an insertion mechanism including a carriage movably associated with the housing and adapted to support the biopsy instrument to affect longitudinal movement of at least a portion of the biopsy instrument. A linear motion control mechanism is also included that is adapted to move a tissue cutting element of the biopsy instrument from a first position to a second position relative to a tissue receiving portion of the biopsy instrument. Further, a tissue retract mechanism is included which facilitates removal of a tissue specimen from the biopsy instrument without removing the entire biopsy instrument from a surgical site.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient using a biopsy instrument. The biopsy instrument comprises an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen extending therethrough. The biopsy instrument further comprises a cutter rotatably and translationally positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving and transferring the tissue portion into the piercer lumen.

Abstract: A novel automated handle assembly has an opening that allows for insertion of a needle set. The needle set is an integral unit and consists of an outer hollow cannula and an inner pointed tip stylet. The stylet and the cannula are capable of being urged forward separately into the biopsy area in a defined motion in relation to each other. The handle assembly includes a housing, a cannula extension and a stylet extension. In operation, the stylet and the cannula are inserted into the housing. The extensions are slidable and moved rearward separately until the stylet and the cannula are in a spring loaded position wherein first locking members have engaged second locking members on both the stylet and the cannula. The stylet and the cannula are inserted into a patient near the biopsy area. The stylet is then urged into the biopsy area. The stylet extension is pushed forward by a user's thumb and the stylet is fired so that the tissue is pierced.

Abstract: The present invention is a control apparatus for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient using a surgical biopsy device. The biopsy device comprises an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen extending therethrough, and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving and transferring the tissue sample into the piercer lumen. The biopsy device further comprises a rotation motor for rotating the cutter and a translation motor for translating the cutter in the axial direction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the control apparatus comprises a computing device for the coordinated control of the rotation and translation motors. The control apparatus further comprises a first sensor operationally connected to the rotation motor for supplying a rotation signal to the computing device for measuring the rotational speed of the cutter.

Abstract: A breast biopsy device is provided which includes a localization needle having a guide wire preloaded into the biopsy device. The device includes a stylet having a blade for transecting and separating healthy tissue on route to the biopsy site. The use of the stylet blade reduces the trauma to healthy breast tissue. The device further includes a cannula blade and a garrote for forming a cut transverse to the core cut by the cannula blade. A lockout feature prevents the garrote from deploying until after a cutting plane of the garrote has been advanced beyond the end of the guide wire.

Abstract: Device for taking a tissue sample, characterized in that it consists of the combination of a longitudinal receiving element (1), a knife (2) which can rotate around it and which can moreover be axially moved, and a driving device (10) which provides for at least the rotating movement of the knife (2), whereby this receiving element (1) has such a section that, between said receiving element (1) and the knife (2) applied over it, is formed at least one receiving space (3) in which tissue (15) can penetrate and can be collected, whereby the knife (2) works in conjunction with the outside of the longitudinal element (1) to cut off tissue collected in the receiving space (3) as the knife (2) is applied in a rotating manner over the longitudinal element (1).

Abstract: A motorized biopsy needle positioner employed in a mammographic needle biopsy system receives coordinate information representative of an identified point of interest within a patient's captive breast under examination and automatically positions a biopsy needle in accordance with that coordinate information to permit insertion of the biopsy needle to the identified point of interest. An offset mode of operation of the motorized biopsy needle positioner automatically positions the biopsy needle in accordance with coordinate information representative of an offset point within the patient's breast that is offset from the previously identified point of interest to permit insertion of the biopsy needle to that offset point. A manual mode of operation of the motorized biopsy needle positioner permits the user to actuate directional keys of a user control unit to position the biopsy needle in one or more directions, as specified by the actuated directional keys.

Abstract: An abdominal decompression apparatus reduces intra-abdominal pressure in patients by application of negative pressure to the patient's abdomen. Preferably, the negative pressure is applied continuously at low negative pressures (e.g., -20 to -40 mm Hg) for extended periods of time (e.g., 6-12 hours). Changes in the patient's intra-abdominal pressure can be monitored using measurements of the patient's bladder pressure, and treatments can be designed to achieve desired decreases in bladder pressure. To alleviate pain and permit maximum decrease in intra-abdominal pressure, a countertraction mechanism is connected to the shell which encloses the patient's abdomen, and counters the negative pressure induced downward movement of the shell on the patient's chest. The countertraction mechanism is sufficient to reduce or eliminate the negative pressure induced downward movement but is less than an amount which would cause loss of vacuum pressure within said shell.

Abstract: A biopsy device and method are provided for removing samples of tissue from a patient's body. The device comprises a hollow outer needle with an opening, a rotatable inner needle with a cutting surface and a driving mechanism within a handle assembly. The needles are inserted into the patient's body and the inner needle is rotated so as to expose the cutting surface. The driving mechanism is activated and the inner needle is oscillated along its longitudinal axis at a desired frequency. The inner needle is then rotated and tissue is pinched between the cutting surface and the outer needle. The combination of the pinching force and the oscillating motion severs a uniform sample of tissue. The tissue is captured between the cutting surface of the inner needle and the inner surface of the outer needle. The driving mechanism is then deactivated and the device is removed from the patient's body. The needle portion of the device may be removed from the handle assembly and discarded.

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