Biopsy system with integrated imaging

Abstract

A biopsy system is disclosed that has a tissue removal system, an imaging system, an image display system and a common input console for these systems. The tissue removal system can have a mechanical tissue cutting blade or an electrosurgical cutting element and the tissue removal system is capable of handling both tissue cutting configurations. The imaging system is preferably an ultrasound imaging system and the image display system has a video screen for displaying diagnostic ultrasound images from an ultrasound probe. The common input console preferably has a touch screen display and a keyboard to facilitate operation of the tissue removal system, the ultrasound imaging system and the image display system from the same console.

1 . A biopsy system, comprising:
 a. a main computer module;   b. a tissue removal system which has a tissue removal control module in communication with the main computer module, a vacuum module in communication with the tissue removal control module, a first connector module which is configured to form a first communication link between a tissue removal probe and the tissue removal control module and a second communication link between the vacuum control module and the tissue removal control module;   b. an ultrasonic imaging system which has a ultrasound control module in communication with the main computer module, a connector module configured to form a communication link between an ultrasonic imaging probe and the ultrasonic control module;   c. an image display screen in communication with the main computer module configured to display an ultrasonic image display based upon data received from an ultrasound probe data and processed by the main computer module; and   d. an input console in communication with the main computer module to provide control information for the ultrasound control module of the imaging system and to provide control information for the tissue removal control module of the tissue removal system.   
   
   
       2 - 44 . (canceled) 
   
   
       45 . A method of taking a biopsy specimen from a biopsy site within a patient, comprising:
 a. providing a biopsy system having
 a main computer module, 
 a tissue removal system which has tissue removing device, a tissue removal control module in communication with the main computer module which controls the tissue removal system, a vacuum module in communication with the tissue removal control module, a first connector module which is configured to form a first communication link between a tissue removal probe and the tissue removal control module and a second communication link between the vacuum control module and the tissue removal control module; 
 an ultrasonic imaging system which has a ultrasound control module in communication with the main computer module, a connector module configured to form a communication link between an ultrasonic imaging probe and the ultrasonic control module; 
 an image display screen in communication with the main computer module configured to display an ultrasonic image display based upon data received from an ultrasound probe data and processed by the main computer module; and 
 an input console in communication with the main computer module to provide control information for the ultrasound control module of the imaging system and to provide control information for the tissue removal control module of the tissue removal system; 
   b. inserting the tissue removing device into the patient and advancing the device with the aid of the ultrasonic imaging system while observing the ultrasonic image on the image display screen;   c. operating the tissue removal device through the tissue removal module to remove a tissue specimen from surrounding tissue; and   d. applying a vacuum to the tissue site and controlling the vacuum applied through the vacuum control module.   
   
   
       46 . The biopsy method of  claim 45  wherein the main computer module communicates through a first communication link with the tissue removal control module and through a second communication link with ultrasound control module to interchange data therebetween. 
   
   
       47 . The biopsy method of  claim 46  wherein the communication between the main computer module and the tissue removal control module is through a serial cable. 
   
   
       48 . The biopsy method of  claim 45  wherein the ultrasound control module communicates with the main computer module through an interface module therebetween. 
   
   
       49 . The biopsy method of  claim 45  wherein a vacuum is developed within the tissue removal device through the vacuum module which has a vacuum line configured to engage the tissue removal probe and a flow control valve in the vacuum line which is controlled by the tissue removal control module. 
   
   
       50 . The biopsy method of  claim 49  wherein a vacuum source is in communication with the vacuum line. 
   
   
       51 . The biopsy method of  claim 45  wherein the tissue removal system, the ultrasound imaging system and the input console are mounted on a movable cart and the movable cart is moved to a location adjacent to the patient. 
   
   
       52 . The biopsy method of  claim 45  wherein the ultrasonic imaging system and the tissue removal system are operated simultaneously. 
   
   
       53 . The biopsy method of  claim 45  wherein the image display screen displays an ultrasound image based upon data received from the ultrasound probe. 
   
   
       54 . The biopsy method of  claim 1  wherein the input console provides control information for the ultrasound control module of the imaging system and provides control information for the tissue removal control module of the tissue removal system.