Microbiopsy device

Abstract

An improved microbiopsy needle tip is described. The improvement is attributable to the presence of one or more combinations of features, including the use of a Franseen-type needle cutting tip, the provision of a “step-out” in which the collection portion of the biopsy device has a larger diameter than the procuring portion of the device, frictional force on the core of tissue exerted by the distal portion of the needle, which force is provided by the diameter of the distal collection portion of the device having substantially the same diameter as that of the procured core of tissue, the mechanical effects of scaling the needle to small dimensions; and the use of a needle that can be curved to as to sample multiple biopsy sites in close proximity without retracting the needle from the patient.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A microbiopsy needle tip, comprising:
 a tubular elongate structure having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having an outer diameter OD in the range from an outer diameter of a 22 gauge needle to an outer diameter of a 27 gauge needle and defining an aperture having a circular cross section centered on a central axis of said tubular elongate structure, said aperture having an inner diameter ID 1  at said distal end and an inner diameter ID 2  at a distance in a proximal direction along said central axis, wherein said inner diameter ID 2  is larger than said inner diameter ID 1 ;   said distal end having at least three sharpened points projecting axially therefrom and having at least three points of attachment to said tubular elongate structure, wherein at each of the at least three points of attachment two of said at least three sharpened points meet, said at least three sharpened points confined dimensionally within an annulus defined by said outer diameter OD and said inner diameter ID 1 , said at least three sharpened points defining cutting surfaces, said cutting surfaces joining at said at least three points of attachment to said tubular elongate structure, said tubular elongate structure having a distal collection portion with said inner diameter ID 1 ;   said tubular elongate structure having a step-out, wherein said tubular elongate structure has said inner diameter ID 2  for a distance along said central axis in a proximal direction so as to define a proximal collection portion with said inner diameter ID 2 ;   said microbiopsy needle tip being capable of procuring a biopsy specimen of intact tissue having a diameter substantially equal to said inner diameter ID 1  and retaining said biopsy specimen within said proximal collection portion for later recovery, wherein said distal collection portion is characterized by a length of less than 10 mm.   
     
     
         12 . A microbiopsy needle tip, comprising:
 a tubular elongate structure having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having an outer diameter OD in the range from an outer diameter of a 22 gauge needle to an outer diameter of a 27 gauge needle and defining an aperture having a circular cross section centered on a central axis of said tubular elongate structure, said aperture having an inner diameter ID 1  at said distal end and an inner diameter ID 2  at a distance in a proximal direction along said central axis, wherein said inner diameter ID 2  is larger than said inner diameter ID 1 ;   said distal end having at least three sharpened points projecting axially therefrom and having at least three points of attachment to said tubular elongate structure, wherein at each of the at least three points of attachment two of said at least three sharpened points meet, said at least three sharpened points confined dimensionally within an annulus defined by said outer diameter OD and said inner diameter ID 1 , said at least three sharpened points defining cutting surfaces, said cutting surfaces joining at said at least three points of attachment to said tubular elongate structure, said tubular elongate structure having a distal collection portion with said inner diameter ID 1 ;   said tubular elongate structure having a step-out, wherein said tubular elongate structure has said inner diameter ID 2  for a distance along said central axis in a proximal direction so as to define a proximal collection portion with said inner diameter ID 2 ;   said microbiopsy needle tip being capable of procuring a biopsy specimen of intact tissue having a diameter substantially equal to said inner diameter ID 1  and retaining said biopsy specimen within said proximal collection portion for later recovery, wherein   said tubular elongate structure comprises a proximal-facing bevel tip deposed between said distal collection portion with said inner diameter ID 1  and said proximal collection portion with said inner diameter ID 2 , and   said distal collection portion is characterized by a length of less than 10 mm.   
     
     
         13 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 11 , wherein said outer diameter OD is the outer diameter of a 25 gauge needle. 
     
     
         14 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 13 , wherein said distal collection portion is characterized by a length between 1 mm and 4 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 11 , wherein said aperture extends along said central axis of said tubular elongate structure from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         16 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 11 , wherein said tubular elongate structure is capable of being curved so as to sample multiple biopsy sites in close proximity without retracting and reintroducing said microbiopsy needle tip. 
     
     
         17 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 12 , wherein said outer diameter OD is the outer diameter of a 25 gauge needle. 
     
     
         18 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 17 , wherein said distal collection portion is characterized by a length between 1 mm and 4 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 12 , wherein the aperture extends along said central axis of said tubular elongate structure from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         20 . The microbiopsy needle tip of  claim 12 , wherein said tubular elongate structure is capable of being curved so as to sample multiple biopsy sites in close proximity without retracting and reintroducing said microbiopsy needle tip.