Clutch and valving system for tetherless biopsy device

Abstract

A biopsy device may include a needle, a cutter, and a handpiece. A vacuum pump may be provided in the handpiece for providing a vacuum to the needle and/or to the cutter. A motor may be provided in the handpiece to drive the vacuum pump and/or the cutter. A biopsy device may also include a valving mechanism within the handpiece for selectively communicating a vacuum and/or atmospheric air to the needle. A clutching mechanism may selectively provide communication between a motor and the cutter. Portions of a valving mechanism and a clutching mechanism may be integrally formed. A clutching and valving mechanism may be driven by a first motor; and a cutter and vacuum pump by a second motor. A biopsy device may include batteries for powering motors. A biopsy device may thus provide vacuum and power from within a handpiece, such that the biopsy device is tetherless.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
 (a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises:
 (i) a closed tip, 
 (ii) a first lumen, and 
 (iii) a transverse tissue receiving aperture in communication with the first lumen, wherein the transverse tissue receiving aperture is proximal to the closed tip; 
   (b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends distally from the handpiece, wherein the handpiece defines a housing;   (c) a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is positioned within the housing of the handpiece;   (d) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the first lumen of the needle to sever tissue protruding through the transverse tissue receiving aperture, wherein the cutter defines a cutter lumen, wherein the vacuum pump is in communication with the cutter lumen; and   (e) a motor positioned within the housing of the handpiece, wherein the motor is operable to drive the cutter.   
     
     
         22 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , further comprising a battery supported by the handpiece, wherein the battery is operable to power the motor. 
     
     
         23 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , further comprising a tissue sample holder supported by the handpiece, wherein the tissue sample holder is positioned to receive severed tissue samples drawn proximally through the cutter lumen by communication of vacuum from the vacuum pump. 
     
     
         24 . The biopsy device of  claim 23 , wherein the tissue sample holder comprises a cup and a cap, wherein the cup is secured to a proximal end of the handpiece, wherein the cap is removably secured to the cup. 
     
     
         25 . The biopsy device of  claim 23 , wherein the tissue sample holder defines an interior, wherein the vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the interior defined by the tissue sample holder. 
     
     
         26 . The biopsy device of  claim 25 , wherein the vacuum pump is operable to communicate vacuum to the cutter lumen via the interior of the tissue sample holder. 
     
     
         27 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the motor is further operable to drive the vacuum pump. 
     
     
         28 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the motor is operable to translate the cutter. 
     
     
         29 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the motor is operable to rotate the cutter. 
     
     
         30 . The biopsy device of  claim 31 , wherein the motor is operable to simultaneously rotate the cutter, translate the cutter, and drive the vacuum pump. 
     
     
         31 . The biopsy device of  claim 31 , wherein the needle further comprises a second lumen, wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen. 
     
     
         32 . The biopsy device of  claim 31 , further comprising a valving assembly and a conduit in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the valving assembly comprises a manifold, wherein the conduit is further in fluid communication with the manifold. 
     
     
         33 . The biopsy device of  claim 32 , wherein the valving assembly further comprises a valving member configured to translate longitudinally within the manifold, wherein the valving member is confiugured to redirect fluid communication within the manifold as a function of the longitudinal position of the valving member within the manifold, wherein the longitudinal position of the valving member within the manifold is based at least in part on the longitudinal position of the cutter within the first lumen. 
     
     
         34 . The biopsy device of  claim 31 , further comprising a clutching mechanism, wherein the clutching mechanism is configured to selectively provide communication from the motor to the cutter. 
     
     
         35 . The biopsy device of  claim 31 , wherein the closed tip of the needle is configured to pierce tissue. 
     
     
         36 . A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
 (a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises:
 (i) a closed tip, and 
 (ii) a transverse tissue receiving aperture proximal to the closed tip; 
   (b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends distally from the handpiece;   (c) a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is positioned within the handpiece;   (d) a motor positioned within the handpiece, wherein the motor is operable to drive the vacuum pump;   (e) a battery supported by the handpiece, wherein the battery is operable to power the motor; and   (f) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable relative to the needle to sever tissue protruding through the transverse tissue receiving aperture, wherein the cutter defines a cutter lumen, wherein the vacuum pump is operable to draw severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter lumen.   
     
     
         37 . The biopsy device of  claim 36 , wherein the needle defines a first lumen in fluid communication with the transverse tissue receiving aperture, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the first lumen of the needle to sever tissue protruding through the transverse tissue receiving aperture. 
     
     
         38 . The biopsy device of  claim 36 , wherein the handpiece comprises a probe portion removably coupled with a holster portion. 
     
     
         39 . The biopsy device of  claim 38 , wherein the probe portion includes the needle, wherein the holster portion includes the vacuum pump, the motor, and the battery. 
     
     
         40 . A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
 (a) a probe portion, wherein the probe portion comprises:
 (i) a needle having a tip and a transverse tissue receiving aperture, 
 (ii) a cutter, wherein the cutter defines a cutter lumen, and 
 (iii) a cutter drive assembly; and 
   (b) a holster portion, wherein the holster portion comprises:
 (i) a vacuum pump configured to communicate with the cutter lumen, 
 (ii) a motor operable to drive the vacuum pump, and 
 (iii) a drive member coupled with the motor, wherein the drive member is configured to couple with the cutter drive assembly such that the single motor is operable to drive the cutter drive assembly via the drive member; 
   wherein the probe portion and the holster portion are configured to couple together to form a handheld assembly.