Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of obtaining a biopsy specimen from an organ such as a spleen, thyroid or the like, said method comprising penetrating and progressively advancing the distal end portion of an elongate hollow biopsy instrument assembly into a patient, but with the proximal end of the instrument assEmbly located exteriorly of the patient, the instrument assembly including a biopsy needle having a tissue-collecting medium located interiorly thereof, and an obstructing medium positioned interiorly of the tissue-collecting medium and obstructing the open end of the biopsy needle assembly, continuing the advancement of the distal end portion of the needle assembly until the distal end portion of the assembly is disposed in close proximal relation to the organ from which the tissue is to be removed, removing the obstructing medium from the assembly, and thereafter advancing the needle and tissue-collecting medium as a unit into the tissue whereby a tissue specimen is cut and collected in the tissue-collecting medium, retracting the tissue-collecting medium from the needle through the proximal end thereof, inserting a heat transfer medium into the needle and exteriorly of the distal end thereof, the heat transfer medium having a temperature substantially higher or substantially lower than the body temperature of the patient to perform cauterization of the tissue, retracting the needle and heat transfer medium from the biopsy track whereby the heat transfer medium serves to stop bleeding of the tissue, and continuing retractive movement of the needle and its heat transfer medium from the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of obtaining a biopsy specimen from an organ such as a spleen, thyroid or the like, said method comprising penetrating and progressively advancing the distal end portion of an elongate hollow biopsy instrument assembly into a patient, but with the proximal end of the instrument assEmbly located exteriorly of the patient, the instrument assembly including a biopsy needle having a tissue-collecting medium located interiorly thereof, and an obstructing medium positioned interiorly of the tissue-collecting medium and obstructing the open end of the biopsy needle assembly, continuing the advancement of the distal end portion of the needle assembly until the distal end portion of the assembly is disposed in close proximal relation to the organ from which the tissue is to be removed, removing the obstructing medium from the assembly, and thereafter advancing the needle and tissue-collecting medium as a unit into the tissue whereby a tissue specimen is cut and collected in the tissue-collecting medium, retracting the tissue-collecting medium from the needle through the proximal end thereof, inserting a heat transfer medium into the needle and exteriorly of the distal end thereof, the heat transfer medium having a temperature substantially higher or substantially lower than the body temperature of the patient to perform cauterization of the tissue, retracting the needle and heat transfer medium from the biopsy track whereby the heat transfer medium serves to stop bleeding of the tissue, and continuing retractive movement of the needle and its heat transfer medium from the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the tissue specimen collected in the tissue-collecting medium is progressively urged into an expanding collection zone during removal of the specimen from the patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said heat transfer medium heats the tissue defining the biopsy track to a differential temperature level sufficient to cauterize the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said heat transfer medium cools the tissue defining the biopsy track to a differential temperature level sufficient to completely stop any bleeding of the tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
248 words
A biopsy needle device comprising, an elongate hollow biopsy needle having open distal and proximal ends, said distal end defining a cutting edge, said needle being of uniform cylindrical configuration throughout the major portion of its length, and having a distal end portion tapered generally uniformly toward the tip of the distal end, an elongate hollow sleeve member positioned within said needle and corresponding in length and shape to said needle, said sleeve member having a bore formed therein and being of uniformly cylindrical configuration throughout the major portion of its length and defining a biopsy tissue receiving and retaining cavity adjacent the distal end thereof, and having a distal end portion with inner and outer diameters tapered generally uniformly toward the tip of the distal end and defining an opening to said bore, an elongate stylet positioned within said sleeve and having a length dimension slightly greater than said sleeve and an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of said sleeve at the distal end thereof so that said stylet obstructs the distal end of the needle and sleeve to facilitate insertion of the needle, sleeve member, and stylet as a unit into a patient, whereby when said stylet is removed from the needle and sleeve after insertion into a tissue, and upon manipulation of the needle, the distal cutting edge of the needle will cut a tissue sample and the tissue sample will be collected in the tapered distal end portion of the sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
248 words
A biopsy needle device comprising, an elongate hollow biopsy needle having open distal and proximal ends, said distal end defining a cutting edge, said needle being of uniform cylindrical configuration throughout the major portion of its length, and having a distal end portion tapered generally uniformly toward the tip of the distal end, an elongate hollow sleeve member positioned within said needle and corresponding in length and shape to said needle, said sleeve member having a bore formed therein and being of uniformly cylindrical configuration throughout the major portion of its length and defining a biopsy tissue receiving and retaining cavity adjacent the distal end thereof, and having a distal end portion with inner and outer diameters tapered generally uniformly toward the tip of the distal end and defining an opening to said bore, an elongate stylet positioned within said sleeve and having a length dimension slightly greater than said sleeve and an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of said sleeve at the distal end thereof so that said stylet obstructs the distal end of the needle and sleeve to facilitate insertion of the needle, sleeve member, and stylet as a unit into a patient, whereby when said stylet is removed from the needle and sleeve after insertion into a tissue, and upon manipulation of the needle, the distal cutting edge of the needle will cut a tissue sample and the tissue sample will be collected in the tapered distal end portion of the sleeve.