Cutter drive assembly for biopsy device

Abstract

A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter actuation mechanism. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter actuation mechanism rotates and translates the cutter relative to the body and relative to the needle. The cutter has an overmold presenting a lead screw and a hex portion. The cutter actuation mechanism comprises a first gear disposed about the hex portion of the overmold and a second gear engaged with the lead screw of the overmold by a nut that is integral with the second gear. The cutter actuation mechanism is operable to simultaneously rotate the first gear relative to the body at a first rotational speed and the second gear relative to the body at a second rotational speed. With the lead screw and the nut rotating at different rotational speeds, the lead screw rotates relative to the nut at a third rotational speed.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a body;   (b) a needle extending distally relative to the body, wherein the needle defines a first lumen and a second lumen, wherein the first lumen and second lumen are separated by a wall extending through at least a portion of the needle, wherein the needle includes an opening fluidly coupling the first lumen with the second lumen;   (c) a cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to translate relative to the needle to sever tissue; and   (d) a member operable to translate in conjunction with the cutter, relative to an external housing, through a first range of motion of the cutter, wherein the member is operable to remain in a stationary position relative to the cutter through a second range of motion, and wherein the member is movable from a venting position to a sealing position when the member translates in conjunction with the cutter.   
     
     
         22 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the member is coaxially disposed about the cutter. 
     
     
         23 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the first lumen of the needle extends along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second lumen of the needle extends along a second longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         24 . The biopsy device of  claim 23 , wherein the cutter is configured to translate along the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         25 . The biopsy device of  claim 24 , wherein the cutter is positioned in the first lumen. 
     
     
         26 . The biopsy device of  claim 24 , wherein the member is movable along the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         27 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the member is slidable relative to the cutter. 
     
     
         28 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , further comprising a cutter actuation mechanism, wherein the cutter actuation mechanism comprises a first rotating member and a second rotating member, wherein the first rotating member is configured to rotate the cutter, wherein the second rotating member is configured to translate the cutter, wherein the cutter actuation mechanism is configured such that the first rotating member and the second rotating member are operable to rotate simultaneously at different rotational speeds. 
     
     
         29 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , further comprising a needle hub secured to the needle, wherein the needle hub extends proximally into the body. 
     
     
         30 . The biopsy device of  claim 29 , wherein a vent opening is formed in the needle hub. 
     
     
         31 . The biopsy device of  claim 30 , wherein the member is slidably disposed in the needle hub. 
     
     
         32 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the cutter comprises a first stop portion and a second stop portion, wherein the first stop portion is configured to push the member proximally in response to proximal translation of the cutter, wherein the second stop portion is configured to push the member distally in response to distal translation of the cutter. 
     
     
         33 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the member defines an inner diameter, wherein the cutter defines an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the member is greater than the outer diameter of the cutter to define an air gap between the inner diameter of the member and the outer diameter of the cutter. 
     
     
         34 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the member is configured to couple the second lumen with a vent opening when the member is positioned distal to the vent opening. 
     
     
         35 . The biopsy device of  claim 34 , wherein the member includes a pair of longitudinally spaced apart o-rings, wherein the member is configured to seal the second lumen relative to the vent opening when the member is longitudinally positioned such that the vent opening is positioned between the longitudinally spaced apart o-rings. 
     
     
         36 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a body;   (b) a needle extending distally relative to the body, wherein the needle defines a first lumen and a second lumen, wherein the needle includes an opening fluidly coupling the first lumen with the second lumen;   (c) a cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to translate relative to the needle to sever tissue; and   (d) a valve member translatable in connection with the cutter, wherein the valve member is movable relative to an external housing, through a first range of motion of the cutter, wherein the valve member is operable to remain in a stationary position relative to the cutter through a second range of motion of the cutter, and wherein the valve member is movable from a venting position to a sealing position when the valve member translates in connection with the cutter.   
     
     
         37 . The biopsy device of  claim 36 , wherein the body comprises a probe and a holster, wherein the needle extends distally from the probe. 
     
     
         38 . The biopsy device of  claim 37 , wherein the valve member is disposed within the probe. 
     
     
         39 . The biopsy device of  claim 37 , wherein the probe is removably coupled to the holster. 
     
     
         40 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a body;   (b) a needle extending distally relative to the body, wherein the needle defines a first lumen and a second lumen, wherein the needle includes an opening fluidly coupling the first lumen with the second lumen;   (c) a cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to translate relative to the needle to sever tissue; and   (d) a valve member translatable in connection with the cutter, wherein the valve member is movable relative to an external housing, through a first range of motion of the cutter, wherein the valve member is operable to remain in a stationary position relative to the cutter through a second range of motion of the cutter, and wherein the valve member is in a sealing position when the valve member is in the stationary position while the cutter moves though the second range of motion.