Excisional biopsy devices and methods

Abstract

An excisional biopsy system includes a tubular member that has a proximal end and a distal end in which one or more windows are defined. A first removable probe has a proximal portion that includes a cutting tool extender and a distal portion that includes a cutting tool. The first removable probe may be configured to fit at least partially within the tubular member to enable the cutting tool to selectively bow out of and to retract within one of the windows when the cutting tool extender is activated. A second removable probe has a proximal section that includes a tissue collection device extender and a distal section that includes a tissue collection device. The second removable probe may also be configured to fit at least partially within the tubular member to enable the tissue collection device to extend out of and to retract within one of the windows when the tissue collection device extender is activated. A third removable probe may also be provided. The third removable probe may also be configured to fit at least partially within the tubular member and may include an imaging device, such as an ultrasound transducer, mounted therein. By selectively activating the cutting tool and the tissue collection device while rotating the excisional device, a tissue specimen may be cut from the surrounding tissue and collected for later analysis.

1 - 77 . (canceled)  
     
     
         78 . A device configured to remove a specimen of breast tissue that is cut from surrounding breast tissue, comprising: 
 a shaft, and    a tissue collection element coupled to the shaft, the tissue collection element including a thin flexible membrane, the tissue collection device being movable from a retracted position to an expanded position, the thin flexible membrane being configured to encapsulate the cut specimen while maintaining the cut specimen intact and isolating the captured specimen from contact with the surrounding breast tissue.    
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein the tissue collection element includes a flexible element to which the thin flexible membrane is attached and wherein the flexible element is configured to selectively bow away from and retract toward the shaft.  
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein the thin flexible membrane forms a bag.  
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 80 , wherein the bag is configured to selectively open to capture the cut specimen and close to encapsulate the cut specimen as the tissue collection element bows away from and retracts toward the shaft, respectively.  
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein the tissue collection element is configured to expand to a size at least equal to the size of the cut specimen.