Biopsy device with discrete tissue chambers

Abstract

A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. The probe includes a needle and a hollow cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a housing having a plurality of chambers that are respectively configured to receive a tray. The housing is releasably engageable with the probe. Each tray is configured to receive a tissue sample communicated through the cutter lumen. Each tray is removable from the housing, such as along an axial direction. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively index each chamber to the cutter lumen. A tray retainer is operable to selectively secure the trays relative to the housing. The trays may be flexible, resilient, or rigid.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A tissue sample receiving assembly configured to engage a biopsy device and receive a plurality of tissue samples severed by the biopsy device, the tissue sample receiving assembly comprising:
 a member comprising a plurality of chambers, each chamber defined by an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of sidewalls;   at least one tissue receiving tray releasably carried by the member;   wherein the at least one tissue receiving tray defines a plurality of tissue sample chambers, the tissue sample chambers interconnected with one another at a proximal end of the tissue receiving tray; and   wherein at least the distal end of each tissue sample chamber of each tissue receiving tray is insertable into a corresponding chamber of the member.   
     
     
         22 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 21  wherein the distal end of each tissue sample chamber is configured to be axially received within a corresponding chamber of the member. 
     
     
         23 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 21  wherein the member is configured to convey fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 21  wherein the member is configured to redirect fluid. 
     
     
         25 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 21  wherein the member is configured to engage a biopsy device and rotate with respect to the biopsy device. 
     
     
         26 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 21  wherein the member comprises a manifold. 
     
     
         27 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 21  further comprising a generally transparent cover configured to cover the member. 
     
     
         28 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 27  wherein the at least one tissue receiving tray is configured to be received by and removed from the tissue sample receiving assembly without removing the member or the cover from the biopsy device. 
     
     
         29 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 27  wherein the at least one tissue receiving tray has a first configuration as carried by the member, and wherein the at least one tissue receiving tray is deformable to a relatively flatter configuration upon removal from the member. 
     
     
         30 . A tissue sample receiving assembly configured to engage a biopsy device and receive a plurality of tissue samples severed by the biopsy device, the tissue sample receiving assembly comprising:
 a housing defining a plurality of chambers extending in an axial direction, each chamber having a proximal end and distal end;   at least one tissue sample tray, wherein a distal portion of the tissue sample tray is insertable into at least one of the chambers of the housing.   
     
     
         31 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 30  wherein the tissue receiving tray has proximal end and a plurality of tissue sample chambers extending from the proximal end of the tissue receiving tray, and wherein each tissue sample chamber is configured to be axially received in the proximal end of a corresponding chamber of the housing. 
     
     
         32 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 30  further comprising a generally transparent cover configured to cover at least a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         33 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 32  wherein the housing is rotatable within the cover. 
     
     
         34 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 32  wherein the at least one tissue sample tray is configured to be removable from the housing with the cover covering at least a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         35 . The tissue sample receiving assembly of  claim 30  wherein the at least one tray comprises a proximal end and a plurality of tissue sample chambers extending distally from the proximal end, wherein each tissue sample chamber is defined by:
 a pair of sidewalls; and 
 a floor comprising a plurality of apertures. 
 
     
     
         36 . A biopsy device comprising:
 a probe insertable in tissue;   a cutter movable axially with respect to the probe for severing tissue receive by the probe, the cutter having a proximal end and distal end;   a tissue sample receiving assembly comprising:   a member supported by the biopsy device and disposed proximally of the proximal end of the cutter, the member defining a plurality of chambers, each chamber having a proximal end and a distal end;   at least one tissue receiving component releasably received by the member, wherein the at least one tissue receiving component comprises a plurality of tissue sample chambers; wherein each tissue sample chamber is configured to be axially received in the proximal end of a chamber of the member; and   wherein the biopsy device is configured to transport tissue samples severed by the cutter through the cutter and into a tissue sample chamber.   
     
     
         37 . The biopsy device of  claim 36  wherein the member is rotatable. 
     
     
         38 . The biopsy device of  claim 36  wherein the member is a manifold configured to redirect fluid flow. 
     
     
         39 . The biopsy device of  claim 36  wherein member is configured to be indexed to permit positioning of each chamber to be aligned with the cutter. 
     
     
         40 . The biopsy device of  claim 36  wherein the at least one tissue receiving component is configured to be removed axially from the member while the member is supported by the biopsy device.