System for improved tissue handling and in line analysis of the tissue

Abstract

A system for analysis of biopsy samples includes a tissue sample transport mechanism linking a biopsy sample excision tool to a tissue sample holder disposed in a staging area of an analysis unit. The tissue sample is automatically transported from the excision tool to the specimen holder, where the tissue sample is analyzed in the staging area of the analysis unit. The transport mechanism may include tubing and a vacuum source. The tissue sample holder may be configured to slow or temporarily stop a tissue sample for individual analysis, or collect multiple tissue samples for analysis as a group. A tissue sample sorting mechanism may be employed that allows separation of specimens that can be correlated to the analysis.

1 . A method of controlling a biopsy device, the biopsy device comprising a cutting cannula and an outer cannula, the outer cannula defining a biopsy cutting window adjacent a closed distal end thereof, an outer cannula lumen, an air vent port and a saline vent port, the air vent port and the saline vent port being in selective fluid communication with the outer cannula, the cutting cannula defining an open distal end and a cutter lumen, the cutting cannula being slideably disposed within the outer cannula, the method comprising:
 applying vacuum through a proximal end of the cutter lumen;   retracting the cutting cannula proximally;   drawing saline into the outer cannula through the saline vent port while the cutting cannula is retracted proximally; and   drawing air into the outer cannula through the air vent port after drawing saline into the outer cannula through the saline vent port during the retracting step.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting a vacuum pressure in the biopsy device, wherein the retracting step begins after a predetermined minimum vacuum pressure has been met. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the air vent port and the saline vent port are closed until the minimum vacuum pressure is met. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the biopsy cutting window is closed until the minimum vacuum pressure is met. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retracting the cutting cannula proximally while the saline vent is open. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drawing air step begins after the drawing saline step begins. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the saline vent is closed before the drawing air step begins. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drawing air step begins 1.5 seconds after the retracting step begins. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 closing the air vent port; and   drawing saline into the outer cannula through the saline vent port after closing the air vent port.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the closing step begins 1.25 seconds after the drawing air step begins. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the closing step begins 2.75 seconds after the retracting step begins. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising detecting a vacuum pressure in the biopsy device, wherein the retracting step begins after a predetermined minimum vacuum pressure has been met. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the air vent port and the saline vent port are closed until the minimum vacuum pressure is met. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biopsy cutting window is closed until the minimum vacuum pressure is met. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising retracting the cutting cannula proximally while the saline vent is open. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the drawing air step begins after the drawing saline step begins. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the saline vent is closed before the drawing air step begins. 
     
     
         18 . A method of controlling a biopsy device, the biopsy device comprising a cutting cannula and an outer cannula, the outer cannula defining a biopsy cutting window adjacent a closed distal end thereof, an outer cannula lumen, an air vent port and a saline vent port, the air vent port and the saline vent port being in selective fluid communication with the outer cannula, the cutting cannula defining an open distal end and a cutter lumen, the cutting cannula being slideably disposed within the outer cannula, the method comprising:
 applying vacuum through a proximal end of the cutter lumen;   retracting the cutting cannula proximally;   drawing air into the outer cannula through the air vent port;   closing the air vent port; and   drawing saline into the outer cannula through the saline vent port after closing the air vent port.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the air vent port is closed 1.75 seconds after the retracting step. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the drawing saline step begins when the air vent port is closed.