Biopsy Device with Sample Storage

Abstract

A biopsy device includes a cannula and an inner divider wall disposed in the cannula. The inner divider wall defines a plurality of cannula fluid openings. The outer wall of the cannula and the inner divider wall together define a cutter receiving lumen and a cannula vacuum lumen. The cannula fluid openings provide fluid communication between the cutter receiving lumen and the cannula vacuum lumen. A cutter is translatable with respect to the cannula for severing tissue drawn into the cannula. The cutter is operable to cover and/or uncover the cannula fluid openings. A proximal portion of the cutter is spaced away from the inner divider wall. A distal portion of the cutter is configured to slide adjacent to the inner divider wall.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A biopsy device comprising:
 (a) a cannula, wherein the cannula comprises:
 (i) an outer wall having a non-circular cross section along at least a portion of the length of the outer wall, wherein the outer wall defines a tissue receiving port, and 
 (ii) an inner divider wall disposed at a distal end of the cannula and terminating at a proximal edge, wherein the outer wall surrounds the inner divider wall and extends proximally past the proximal edge of the inner divider wall; and 
   (b) a cutter translatable with respect to the cannula for severing tissue drawn into the cannula.   
     
     
         2 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the cannula defines a cutter receiving lumen and a cannula vacuum lumen, wherein the inner divider wall defines a plurality of fluid openings disposed between the cutter receiving lumen and the cannula vacuum lumen, wherein the cutter is operable to selectively cover and uncover the cannula fluid openings. 
     
     
         3 . The biopsy device of  claim 2  wherein a distal fluid passageway is disposed between a distal end of the cutter receiving lumen and a distal end of the cannula vacuum lumen, wherein the distal fluid passageway is positioned to remain open after the cutter is advanced to a distal position at the distal end of the cutter receiving lumen. 
     
     
         4 . The biopsy device of  claim 2  further comprising a tissue storage assembly configured to hold tissue samples severed by the cutter. 
     
     
         5 . The biopsy device of  claim 4  wherein the tissue storage assembly is configured to hold the tissue samples in end to end configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the cutter is disposed within the cannula. 
     
     
         7 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the cannula further comprises a closed distal tip. 
     
     
         8 . The biopsy device of  claim 7  wherein the closed distal tip is sharp. 
     
     
         9 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the non-circular cross section defines an oval shape. 
     
     
         10 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the cutter comprises a tube having a sharp distal end. 
     
     
         11 . A biopsy device comprising:
 (a) a cannula, wherein the cannula comprises:
 (i) an outer wall having a non-circular cross-section along at least a portion of the length of the outer wall, wherein the outer wall defines a lateral tissue receiving port, and 
 (ii) an inner divider wall disposed at a distal end of the outer wall and terminating at a proximal edge, wherein the outer wall surrounds the inner divider wall and extends proximally past the proximal edge of the inner divider wall; and 
   (b) a hollow cutter disposed for translation with respect to the cannula for severing tissue samples from tissue received in the tissue receiving port, wherein the hollow cutter is positioned adjacent to the divider wall.   
     
     
         12 . The biopsy device of  claim 11  further comprising a tissue storage assembly disposed proximally of the tissue receiving port for holding tissue samples severed by the cutter. 
     
     
         13 . The biopsy device of  claim 12  further comprising a fluid pressure assembly operable to provide a fluid pressure differential for transporting tissue samples severed from tissue drawn into the tissue receiving port to the tissue storage assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The biopsy device of  claim 12  wherein a distal end of the tissue storage assembly is operable to removably couple with a proximal end of the biopsy device 
     
     
         15 . The biopsy device of  claim 12  wherein the tissue storage assembly comprises at least one transparent portion configured to permit viewing of the tissue samples. 
     
     
         16 . The biopsy device of  claim 12  wherein the tissue storage assembly comprises at least two generally parallel lumens. 
     
     
         17 . The biopsy device of  claim 16  comprising a plurality of fluid passageways for providing fluid communication between the at least two generally parallel lumens of the tissue storage assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The biopsy device of  claim 11  further comprising a saline source in fluid communication with the cannula. 
     
     
         19 . A biopsy device comprising:
 (a) a cannula, wherein the cannula comprises:
 (i) an outer wall having a non-circular cross-section along at least a portion of the length of the outer wall, wherein the outer wall defines a tissue receiving port and has an inner surface, 
 (ii) a first lumen, 
 (iii) a second lumen having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and 
 (iv) an inner divider wall disposed at a distal end of the cannula and terminating at a proximal edge, wherein the distal portion of the second lumen extends distally past the proximal edge of the inner divider wall and is defined by the inner divider wall and the inner surface of the outer wall; and 
   (b) a hollow cutter disposed for translation with respect to the cannula for severing tissue drawn into the tissue receiving port, wherein the proximal portion of the second lumen extends proximally past the proximal edge of the inner divider wall and is defined by the cutter and the inner surface of the outer wall.   
     
     
         20 . The biopsy device of  claim 19  further comprising a tissue storage assembly in communication with the cutter, wherein the tissue storage assembly is configured to store tissue samples, wherein the tissue storage assembly is further configured to permit removal of tissue samples from the tissue sample holder prior to severing additional tissue samples.