US5027827A — Vacuum biopsy apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 174 words

A vacuum biopsy apparatus comprising: a syringe having a sidewall defining a chamber; a vacuum tube receivable within said syringe chamber and carrying a septum at one end thereof, said septum being shaped and dimensioned to be received within said syringe chamber with a fluid-tight fit, said vacuum tube and septum together capable of movement within said syringe chamber to thus enable said vacuum tube to serve as a syringe plunger; an inwardly projecting needle having two ends, one needle end adapted for connection to a biopsy needle and the other needle end capable of piercing said vacuum tube septum, said inwardly projecting needle when connected to a biopsy needle permitting said vacuum tube to communicate with said biopsy needle when said vacuum tube in within said syringe; and venting means on said syringe sidewall to prevent expelling air from said syringe into the needle when said vacuum tube is moved within said syringe chamber said venting means being positioned below said other needle end and being accessible to the hand of a user.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 174 words

A vacuum biopsy apparatus comprising: a syringe having a sidewall defining a chamber; a vacuum tube receivable within said syringe chamber and carrying a septum at one end thereof, said septum being shaped and dimensioned to be received within said syringe chamber with a fluid-tight fit, said vacuum tube and septum together capable of movement within said syringe chamber to thus enable said vacuum tube to serve as a syringe plunger; an inwardly projecting needle having two ends, one needle end adapted for connection to a biopsy needle and the other needle end capable of piercing said vacuum tube septum, said inwardly projecting needle when connected to a biopsy needle permitting said vacuum tube to communicate with said biopsy needle when said vacuum tube in within said syringe; and venting means on said syringe sidewall to prevent expelling air from said syringe into the needle when said vacuum tube is moved within said syringe chamber said venting means being positioned below said other needle end and being accessible to the hand of a user.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 1 wherein said syringe has an upper larger diameter segment and a lower smaller diameter segment.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 11 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 1 wherein said syringe is semi-translucent.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 1 wherein said venting means is a hole formed in the syringe sidewall.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 4 wherein said hole has a diameter of between about 0.050 inches to 0.075 inches.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 5 wherein said hole is positioned between about 0.118 and 0.125 inches from the end of the syringe which carries the mating means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 54 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 1 wherein said syringe has a first inner diameter of about 0.690 inches and a second inner diameter of about 0.656 inches, said vacuum tube has an outer diameter of about 0.600 inches, and at least a portion of said septum has an outer diameter of about 0.690 inches.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 7 wherein said septum is made of rubber.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 1 wherein said septum is made of rubber.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 41 words

The biopsy apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a first finger ring associated with said vacuum tube and a second and third finger ring associate with said syringe, said finger rings together providing a means for easily using said apparatus.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said syringe and said finger rings are formed of polypropylene.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said syringe is formed of polypropylene.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 1 and further including a luer lock connected to said inwardly projecting needle.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 182 words

A method for performing a needle aspiration biopsy comprising steps of: placing a biopsy needle in a specimen to be collected; providing a syringe having a sidewall defining a chamber, a venting means, and at one end of said syringe a luer lock carrying an inwardly projecting needle; providing a vacuum tube having a septum at one end, said septum shaped and dimensioned to be received within said syringe chamber with a fluid tight fit; connecting said luer lock to said biopsy needle; inserting the vacuum tube into the syringe chamber such that the inwardly directed needle of the syringe pierces the vacuum tube septum, thus placing the biopsy needle in communication with the interior of the vacuum tube and causing specimen to be aspirated into the vacuum tube; partially withdrawing the vacuum tube from the syringe chamber; covering the syringe venting means; then moving the vacuum tube forward in the syringe chamber so that any specimen in the biopsy needle lumen will be expelled therefrom; fully withdrawing the vacuum tube from the syringe so that the material therewithin can be studied.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 182 words

A method for performing a needle aspiration biopsy comprising steps of: placing a biopsy needle in a specimen to be collected; providing a syringe having a sidewall defining a chamber, a venting means, and at one end of said syringe a luer lock carrying an inwardly projecting needle; providing a vacuum tube having a septum at one end, said septum shaped and dimensioned to be received within said syringe chamber with a fluid tight fit; connecting said luer lock to said biopsy needle; inserting the vacuum tube into the syringe chamber such that the inwardly directed needle of the syringe pierces the vacuum tube septum, thus placing the biopsy needle in communication with the interior of the vacuum tube and causing specimen to be aspirated into the vacuum tube; partially withdrawing the vacuum tube from the syringe chamber; covering the syringe venting means; then moving the vacuum tube forward in the syringe chamber so that any specimen in the biopsy needle lumen will be expelled therefrom; fully withdrawing the vacuum tube from the syringe so that the material therewithin can be studied.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-07-01	1994-12-31	1995-07-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-07-01	1998-12-31	1999-07-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-07-01	2002-12-31	2003-07-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vacuum biopsy apparatus

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag