Reusable biopsy gun and a lockable biopsy needle for use therewith

Abstract

The invention relates to a biopsy needle wherein the cannula and stylet may be arranged in a locked position, preventing longitudinal movement relative to each other and a reusable biopsy gun comprising means for moving the biopsy needle from its locked position to an unlocked position where the cannula and stylet may be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to each other. The invention furthermore relates to a kit comprising at least one biopsy needle and a biopsy gun as described.

1 . A biopsy needle comprising a stylet extending along an axis A-A between a proximal stylet end and a distal stylet end, the biopsy needle further comprising a cannula extending along the axis A-A between a proximal cannula end and a distal cannula end at least partly enclosing the stylet, wherein the stylet and the cannula are rotatable relative to each other around the axis A-A between
 a locked position, wherein relative movement between the stylet and the cannula along the axis A-A is prevented and   an unlocked position, wherein relative movement between the stylet and the cannula along the axis A-A is allowed.   
     
     
         2 . A biopsy needle according to  claim 1 , wherein a stylet coupling part is arranged at the proximal end of the stylet and a cannula coupling part is arranged at the proximal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         3 . A biopsy needle according to  claim 2 , wherein the cannula coupling part is formed as a tubular coupling member having a tubular compartment for at least partly receiving the stylet coupling part, wherein the tubular compartment is formed with a track which engages with a protrusion formed on the stylet coupling part. 
     
     
         4 . A biopsy needle according to  claim 3 , wherein the track is made up of at least a first and a second leg, the first leg extending circumferentially around the axis A-A, and the second leg extending longitudinally along the axis A-A. 
     
     
         5 . A biopsy needle according to  claim 4 , wherein a coupling arrangement is provided which allows the protrusion to be moved between the first leg and the second leg via deformation of at least one of the stylet coupling part or the cannula coupling part. 
     
     
         6 . A biopsy needle according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one rib is arranged on an outer surface of either the cannula coupling part or the stylet coupling part, and at least one tab is arranged on an outer surface of the other coupling part. 
     
     
         7 . A biopsy gun for loading, arming and firing a biopsy needle for receiving a biopsy sample, wherein the biopsy gun comprises a cannula slide adapted for engaging with a cannula of a biopsy needle and a stylet slide adapted for engaging with a stylet of a biopsy needle, the cannula slide and the stylet slide being slidable relative to each other along an axis C-C between a proximal end through which a biopsy needle extends out through the biopsy gun when a biopsy needle is inserted and a distal end, and where the cannula slide comprises cannula coupling means adapted for coupling with a cannula of a biopsy needle when the cannula slide and cannula are rotated relative to each other around axis C-C, and where the stylet slide comprises stylet coupling means adapted for coupling with a stylet of a biopsy needle when the stylet slide and stylet are rotated relative to each other around axis C-C. 
     
     
         8 . A biopsy gun according to  claim 7 , wherein the biopsy gun further comprises activation means for rotating a biopsy needle around the axis C-C. 
     
     
         9 . A biopsy gun according to  claim 7 , wherein the stylet slide is in the form of a stylet tube extending along axis C-C, and the cannula slide is in the form of a cannula tube extending along axis C-C, the stylet tube being at least partly slidably arranged inside the cannula tube. 
     
     
         10 . A biopsy gun according to  claim 9 , wherein the proximal end of the stylet tube is formed with stylet coupling means in the form of at least one L-shaped stylet groove having a first leg extending longitudinally along axis C-C and a second leg extending transversely to the axis C-C, and wherein the proximal end of the cannula tube is formed with cannula coupling means in the form of at least one L-shaped cannula groove having a first leg extending longitudinally along axis C-C, and a second leg extending transversely to the axis C-C. 
     
     
         11 . A biopsy gun according to  claim 8 , wherein the activation means are in the form of a rotatable head arranged at the proximal end of the biopsy gun. 
     
     
         12 . A biopsy gun according to  claim 11 , wherein the rotatable head comprises a first through-going channel extending along axis C-C for receiving the biopsy needle. 
     
     
         13 . A biopsy gun according to  claim 11 , wherein the rotatable head is detachably arranged on the biopsy gun. 
     
     
         14 . A biopsy gun for use with the biopsy needle according to  claim 1 , wherein the biopsy gun comprises activation means for at least moving the biopsy needle from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
     
     
         15 . A kit comprising a biopsy needle according to  claim 1 , and a biopsy gun according to  claim 7 .