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 front-end collection biopsy device, comprising:
 a substantially tubular elongate structure extending about a central axis, the structure comprising:
 a distal cutting end having an outer dimension in a range of a 22 gauge needle to a 27 gauge needle and adapted for circumferential cutting of a tissue sample such that an acquired tissue sample has a diameter that is substantially equal to an inner diameter of a distal collection portion; and 
 a step-out of a diameter of the substantially tubular elongate structure along the central axis distal to a proximal portion having second inner diameter at a location in a range of from about 1 mm to about 10 mm proximal relative to a distal-most portion of the distal cutting end. 
   
     
     
         12 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the distal cutting end comprises at least two projections. 
     
     
         13 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two projections are sharpened. 
     
     
         14 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the distal cutting end comprises at least three projections. 
     
     
         15 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least three projections are sharpened. 
     
     
         16 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the step-out is at a location in a range of from about 2 mm to about 8 mm proximal relative to a distal-most portion of the distal cutting end. 
     
     
         17 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the step-out is at a location in a range of from about 3 mm to about 7 mm proximal relative to a distal-most portion of the distal cutting end. 
     
     
         18 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the acquired tissue sample is substantially intact. 
     
     
         19 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer dimension is the diameter of a 27 gauge needle. 
     
     
         20 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer dimension is the diameter of a 25 gauge needle. 
     
     
         21 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer dimension is the diameter of a 23 gauge needle. 
     
     
         22 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer dimension is the diameter of a 22 gauge needle. 
     
     
         23 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal portion has a length along the central axis sufficient to contain a plurality of biopsy specimens of acquired tissue. 
     
     
         24 . The front-end collection biopsy device of  claim 23 , wherein each of the plurality of biopsy specimens of acquired tissue has a diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the distal collection portion. 
     
     
         25 . A method of conducting a biopsy, the method comprising:
 contacting a front-end collection biopsy device with a tissue, the front-end collection biopsy device comprising:
 a substantially tubular elongate structure extending about a central axis, the structure comprising:
 a distal cutting end having an outer dimension in a range of a 22 gauge needle to a 27 gauge needle and adapted for circumferential cutting of a tissue sample such that an acquired tissue sample has a diameter that is substantially equal to an inner diameter of a distal collection portion; and 
 a step-out of a diameter of the substantially tubular elongate structure along the central axis distal to a proximal portion having second inner diameter at a location in a range of from about 1 mm to about 10 mm proximal relative to a distal-most portion of the distal cutting end; and 
 
 storing a portion of the acquired tissue in the device. 
   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the distal cutting end comprises at least two projections. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the distal cutting end comprises at least three projections. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the step-out is at a location in a range of from about 2 mm to about 8 mm proximal relative to a distal-most portion of the distal cutting end. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the acquired tissue sample is substantially intact. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the proximal portion has a length along the central axis sufficient to contain a plurality of biopsy specimens of acquired tissue.