Biopsy device with slide-in probe

Abstract

An exemplary ultrasound biopsy device includes a probe and a holster. The probe is insertable into the holster to form a completed assembly. To assemble the probe to the holster, the probe is initially slid laterally onto the holster and then slid forward to latch the probe into engagement with the holster. The holster is coupled to a vacuum control module by one or more conduits and a power cable. The conduits and/or power cable may be retracted into the vacuum control module. The probe of the biopsy device includes a blade assembly at the distal end. The blade assembly comprises a blade that snaps onto a nosecone via a pair of resilient notched ends. A frictional fitting needle cover can be inserted over the needle and blade assembly to protect the user from the sharp blade.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A tip assembly for use with a needle of a biopsy device, the tip assembly comprising:
 (a) a nose cone, the nose cone defining a V-shaped slot; and   (b) a blade, the blade including a pair of arms and a pair of proximal protrusions extending inwardly from each respective arm toward an opposite arm, each arm including a first sharpened surface and a second sharpened surface, each protrusion being configured to snap into a V-shaped slot defined by the nose cone, the first sharpened surface and the second sharpened surface defining an angle corresponding to a respective leg of the V-shaped slot.   
     
     
         22 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the first sharpened surface and the second sharpened surface intersecting at a blade tip. 
     
     
         23 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the angle defined by the first sharpened surface and the second sharpened surface being an acute angle. 
     
     
         24 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the V-shaped slot having a flat V-shaped floor within the nose cone. 
     
     
         25 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the nose cone further including a notched recess disposed within the slot, the blade being received within the slot such that the protrusions of the blade are received within the notched recess. 
     
     
         26 . The tip assembly of  claim 25 , at least a portion of the notched recess of the nose cone being configured to be received within a first lumen of the needle. 
     
     
         27 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the protrusions of the blade being resiliently biased to engage the nose cone. 
     
     
         28 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , at least a portion of the tip assembly being welded to the needle. 
     
     
         29 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the blade including a metallic material. 
     
     
         30 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the nose cone including a plastic or ceramic component. 
     
     
         31 . The tip assembly of  claim 21 , the blade including a metallic material, the nose cone including a plastic or ceramic material. 
     
     
         32 . A tip assembly for use with a needle of a biopsy device, the tip assembly comprising:
 (a) an attachment body defining a V-shaped recess and a proximal attachment end associated with the V-shaped recess; and   (b) a blade defining a V-shape corresponding to the V-shaped recess of the attachment body, the blade including a pair of sharpened surfaces and a pair of notches, each sharpened surface projecting from a distal end of the blade to form a shape corresponding to and resemblant of the V-shape of the blade and the V-shaped recess, each sharpened surface extending from the distal end to a proximal end of the blade, each notch extending inwardly from the proximal end of the blade, each notch of the blade being configured for insertion into the attachment end of the attachment body.   
     
     
         33 . The tip assembly of  claim 32 , the attachment body further including a cylindrical protrusion, the cylindrical protrusion extending proximally from the V-shaped recess. 
     
     
         34 . The tip assembly of  claim 32 , the blade including a flat configuration. 
     
     
         35 . The tip assembly of  claim 32 , at least a portion of the blade being resilient such that the pair of notches are configured to snap into the proximal attachment end. 
     
     
         36 . The tip assembly of  claim 32 , the V-shaped recess having a uniform cross-section across a width of the V-shaped recess. 
     
     
         37 . A tip assembly for use with a needle of a biopsy device, the tip assembly comprising:
 (a) a coupler defining a distal recess and a proximal recess, the distal recess defining a V-shaped channel extending into an outer surface of the coupler; and   (b) a blade, the blade defining two sharp edges extending away from each other and forming a V-shape corresponding to an angle of each portion of the V-shaped channel, the blade further defining a recess between the two sharp edges, the blade including a pair of notches extending into the recess, each notch of the blade being configured to engage the proximal recess of the coupler when at least a portion of the blade is disposed in the V-shaped channel defined by the distal recess of the coupler.   
     
     
         38 . The tip assembly of  claim 37 , the outer surface of the coupler defining a conical shape. 
     
     
         39 . The tip assembly of  claim 37 , the outer surface of the coupler defining a conical shape terminating in a proximal end, the proximal end defining an oval-shaped portion configured to engage the needle. 
     
     
         40 . The tip assembly of  claim 37 , the recess of the blade defining a shape corresponding to the V-shape formed by the two sharp edges.