Tissue sample flushing system for biopsy device

Abstract

A method of operating a biopsy device includes providing a hollow needle with a distal end portion; providing a sample-receiving device movable in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position; providing a liquid supply unit for supplying a flushing liquid; operatively disconnecting the liquid supply unit from a cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the extended position; moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position, the sample-receiving device carrying a tissue sample; operatively connecting the liquid supply unit to the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the retracted position; and supplying the flushing liquid to the cavity of the sample-receiving device to eject the tissue sample from the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the retracted position.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a biopsy device, comprising:
 providing a hollow needle with a distal end portion having a cutting mechanism configured to sever a tissue sample;   providing a sample-receiving device having a cavity for receiving the tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being movable in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position;   providing a liquid supply unit for supplying a flushing liquid;   operatively disconnecting the liquid supply unit from the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the extended position;   moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position, the sample-receiving device carrying the tissue sample;   operatively connecting the liquid supply unit to the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the retracted position; and   supplying the flushing liquid to the cavity of the sample-receiving device to eject the tissue sample from the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the retracted position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the act of supplying includes actuating a pump for pumping the flushing liquid from the liquid supply unit to the cavity of the sample-receiving device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the liquid supply unit comprises a liquid supply chamber and a plunger, and wherein the act of supplying includes moving the plunger in the chamber to move the flushing liquid from the liquid supply unit to the cavity of the sample-receiving device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 providing a handle unit; and   releasably securing the liquid supply unit to the handle unit.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 providing a flushing chamber; and   aligning the flushing chamber with the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the retracted position.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a sample-collecting container defining at least one opening for receiving the tissue sample, wherein the opening communicates with the cavity of the sample-receiving device, when the sample-receiving device is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one opening for receiving the tissue sample comprises a plurality of receptacles for receiving individual tissue samples. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , comprising changing a relative position of the receptacles relative to the sample-receiving device, so that different tissue samples harvested at different times can be flushed into separate receptacles of the plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 operating a first user-operable firing mechanism to cause the hollow needle and the sample-receiving device to be longitudinally displaced in a distal direction, so as to penetrate body tissue at or near the suspect tissue mass; and   operating a second user-operable firing mechanism to cause the hollow needle to be longitudinally displaced in a distal direction from a first position, in which the sample-receiving device projects from the distal end of the hollow needle, to a second position, in which the hollow needle essentially accommodates the cavity of the sample-receiving device, so as to sever the tissue sample from remaining body tissue at the harvesting site.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising arresting the sample-receiving device in the retracted position. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising automatically detecting a distance between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     
     
         29 . A method of operating a biopsy device, comprising:
 providing a hollow needle with a distal end portion adapted to be introduced into the body;   providing a cutting mechanism for severing a tissue sample;   providing a sample-receiving device with a cavity for receiving the severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being receivable in the hollow needle and movable therein between an extended position and a retracted position;   providing a transport device for moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle; and   providing a liquid supply unit to supply a flushing liquid, the liquid supply unit being operatively connected to the cavity of the sample-receiving device through a hollow liquid transport member so as to allow tissue sample ejection by liquid flushing when the sample-receiving device is in the retracted position.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the act of providing a transport device includes providing a bendable elongate element connected to the sample receiving device. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising operating a vacuum pump to generate a suction effect in the cavity of the sample-receiving device. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 operating a first user-operable firing mechanism located within the hand-held unit to cause the hollow needle and the sample-receiving device to be longitudinally displaced in a distal direction, so as to penetrate body tissue at or near the suspect tissue mass; and   operating a second user-operable firing mechanism located within the hand-held unit to cause the hollow needle to be longitudinally displaced in a distal direction from a first position, in which the sample-receiving device projects from the distal end of the hollow needle, to a second position, in which the hollow needle essentially accommodates the cavity of the sample-receiving device, so as to sever the tissue sample from remaining body tissue at the harvesting site.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising arresting the sample-receiving device in the retracted position. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising automatically detecting a distance between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     
     
         35 . A method of operating a hand-held biopsy device, comprising:
 providing a hollow needle with a distal end portion, the hollow needle having a cutting edge configured to sever a tissue sample;   providing a sample-receiving device having a cavity to receive a tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being movable in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position,   providing a transport device including a flexible rack gear to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the extended position and the retracted position; and   rotating a drive gear drivably engaged with the flexible rack gear to move the transport device and to coil the flexible rack gear when the sample-receiving device is moved from the extended position to the retracted position.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising providing a liquid supply unit to supply a flushing liquid, the liquid supply unit being operatively connected to the cavity of the sample-receiving device to facilitate tissue sample ejection by liquid flushing when the sample-receiving device is positioned at the retracted position.