Biopsy Device and Method

Abstract

A biopsy device is provided. The biopsy device can include a cutter which is advanced through a first portion of its stroke by differential fluid pressure acting on a piston. A mechanical drive can be used to translate and rotate the cutter during tissue severing.

1 . A biopsy device comprising:
 a hollow biopsy needle having a lateral tissue receiving port;   a hollow cutter having an open distal end, the cutter advanceable within the biopsy needle;   a pneumatic apparatus operable to advance the cutter distal end to a position proximal of the lateral tissue receiving port; and   a second apparatus different from the pneumatic apparatus, the second apparatus operable to advance the cutter distal end from a position proximal of the tissue receiving port to sever tissue received in the tissue receiving port.   
     
     
         2 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein said second apparatus rotates and advances said cutter. 
     
     
         3 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the pneumatic apparatus advances the cutter at first rate, and wherein the second apparatus advances the cutter at a second rate. 
     
     
         4 . The biopsy device of  claim 3  wherein the first rate is different from the second rate. 
     
     
         5 . The biopsy device of  claim 4  wherein the first rate is greater than the second rate. 
     
     
         6 . A biopsy device comprising:
 a hollow biopsy needle having a lateral tissue receiving port;   a hollow cutter advanceable within the biopsy needle;   a first cutter drives for advancing the cutter to a first position within the hollow biopsy needle;   a second cutter drives for advancing the cutter to a second position within the hollow biopsy needle.   
     
     
         7 . The biopsy drive of  claim 6  wherein the first drive comprises a pneumatic drive. 
     
     
         8 . The biopsy device of  claim 6  wherein the first drive comprises a piston. 
     
     
         9 . The biopsy device of  claim 6  wherein the first drive advances the cutter at a first speed, and wherein the second drive advances the cutter at a second speed less than the first speed. 
     
     
         10 . A method for operating a biopsy device comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a biopsy device having a hollow biopsy needle having a tissue receiving port and a cutter advanceable within the needle to sever tissue received in the port;   receiving tissue into the tissue receiving port;   providing a pressure differential for advancing the cutter within the biopsy needle to a first position proximal of the tissue receiving port; and   advancing the cutter to a position distal of the receiving port without using the pressure differential to advance the cutter.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  comprising advancing the cutter to the first position at a first speed, and advancing the cutter to sever tissue at a second speed less than the first speed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  comprising advancing the cutter mechanically to sever tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of rotating the cutter while advancing the cutter to sever tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising communicating vacuum through the cutter.