Methods and devices for biopsy and collection of soft tissue

Abstract

A biopsy device includes a needle assembly, a hollow cutter, and a tissue sample housing. The needle assembly includes a needle extending distally from a portion of the biopsy device. The needle includes a tissue receiving opening. The hollow cutter is coaxially arranged with respect to the needle and severs tissue received in the tissue receiving opening of the needle. The tissue sample housing includes a vacuum port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biopsy device comprising:
 (a) a needle assembly comprising a needle extending distally from a portion of the biopsy device, the needle including a tissue receiving opening;   (b) a hollow cutter coaxially arranged with respect to the needle, the cutter operable to severe tissue received in the tissue receiving opening of the needle; and   (c) a tissue sample housing, the tissue sample housing comprising a vacuum port.   
     
     
         2 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  further comprising a tissue sample holder supported by the tissue sample housing and removable from the tissue sample housing. 
     
     
         3 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the tissue sample housing is supported by the biopsy device proximal of the needle. 
     
     
         4 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the biopsy device is operable to provide vacuum through the tissue sample housing to the tissue receiving opening of the needle. 
     
     
         5 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the tissue sample holder comprises a tissue cassette. 
     
     
         6 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  further comprising a cutter drive gear. 
     
     
         7 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the cutter is configured to oscillate. 
     
     
         8 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the biopsy device comprises a base configured to mate with an imaging unit. 
     
     
         9 . The biopsy device of  claim 8  wherein the base is configured to mate with a rail of an imaging unit. 
     
     
         10 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the needle is rotatable with respect to the tissue sample housing. 
     
     
         11 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the biopsy device comprises a linear actuator operable to advance the needle along an axis of the needle. 
     
     
         12 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  comprising a thumbwheel operable to rotate the needle. 
     
     
         13 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the biopsy device is operable to communicate vacuum through the hollow cutter. 
     
     
         14 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the needle comprises a tip having a plurality of facets. 
     
     
         15 . The biopsy device of  claim 1  wherein the tip comprises at least three facets. 
     
     
         16 . A biopsy device comprising:
 (a) a needle assembly comprising a needle extending distally from a portion of the biopsy device, the needle including a tissue receiving opening;   (b) a hollow cutter coaxially arranged with respect to the needle, the cutter operable to severe tissue received in the tissue receiving opening of the needle;   (c) a tissue sample housing comprising a vacuum port; and   (d) a saline port;   wherein the biopsy device is operable to communicate saline through the hollow cutter.   
     
     
         17 . A method of performing a biopsy, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) advancing a needle supported by a biopsy device into a tissue mass;   (b) generating a vacuum within the needle to prolapse tissue into a portion of the needle;   (c) moving a hollow cutter relative to the needle to sever a first tissue sample;   (d) storing the first tissue sample in a tissue sample holder associated with the biopsy device;   (e) rotating the needle of the biopsy device within the tissue mass;   (f) moving the cutter relative to the needle to sever a second tissue sample without removing the needle from the tissue mass; and   (g) directing a flow of saline through the cutter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of advancing the needle comprises actuating a linear actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of advancing the needle comprises actuating a linear actuator comprising at least one of a spring, a motor, a solenoid, and a pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  comprising closing a tissue receiving opening of the needle prior to the step of directing a flow of saline through the cutter. 
     
     
         21 . A method of performing a biopsy, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) supporting a biopsy device relative to an imaging unit;   (b) advancing a needle supported by the biopsy device into a tissue mass imaged by the imaging unit;   (c) moving a hollow cutter relative to the needle to sever a first tissue sample;   (d) rotating the needle of the biopsy device within the tissue mass;   (e) moving the cutter relative to the needle to sever a second tissue sample without removing the needle from the tissue mass;   (f) closing a tissue receiving opening of the needle; and   (g) directing liquid through the cutter after the step of closing the tissue receiving opening of the needle.   
     
     
         22 . A biopsy instrument comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (b) a needle extending distally from the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing, the needle having a piercing tip comprising at least three facets, and the needle having a tissue receiving opening proximal of the piercing tip; and   (c) a hollow cutter movable with respect to the needle to sever tissue received by the needle; and   wherein the biopsy instrument is operable to communicate vacuum through the hollow cutter.