Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A surgical biopsy apparatus, comprising: a housing; a first elongated tubular member slidably and rotatably mounted in the housing, the first elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a fluid passageway therewithin, the first elongated tubular member including: a tissue receiver fixedly attached to the distal end of the first elongated tubular member, the tissue receiver defining a laterally disposed tissue receiving opening which includes a tissue support surface defining a plurality of transverse openings in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; a second elongated tubular member slidably and rotatably disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member, second elongated tubular member having a cutting surface formed at the distal end thereof; a third elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end, the third elongated member rotatably mounted to the housing and rotatably coaxially disposed about the first and second elongated tubular members, the third elongated tubular member including: a distal tip portion adapted to penetrate tissue; and a lateral opening formed adjacent the distal end of the third elongated tubular member, the first elongated tubular member being movable from a retracted position to an extended position wherein the lateral opening of the third elongated tubular member is substantially aligned and in fluid communication with the tissue receiving portion of the first elongated tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A surgical biopsy apparatus, comprising: a housing; a first elongated tubular member slidably and rotatably mounted in the housing, the first elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a fluid passageway therewithin, the first elongated tubular member including: a tissue receiver fixedly attached to the distal end of the first elongated tubular member, the tissue receiver defining a laterally disposed tissue receiving opening which includes a tissue support surface defining a plurality of transverse openings in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; a second elongated tubular member slidably and rotatably disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member, second elongated tubular member having a cutting surface formed at the distal end thereof; a third elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end, the third elongated member rotatably mounted to the housing and rotatably coaxially disposed about the first and second elongated tubular members, the third elongated tubular member including: a distal tip portion adapted to penetrate tissue; and a lateral opening formed adjacent the distal end of the third elongated tubular member, the first elongated tubular member being movable from a retracted position to an extended position wherein the lateral opening of the third elongated tubular member is substantially aligned and in fluid communication with the tissue receiving portion of the first elongated tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tissue receiver has a detent protruding therefrom and the distal tip portion defines a slot for receiving the detent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third elongated tubular member further includes a control member fixedly mounted to the proximal end thereof, the control member and the proximal end of the third elongated tubular member being rotatably mounted to a distal end of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a first bore configured and dimensioned to receive the second elongated tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a first bore configured and dimensioned to receive a gear shaft wherein a gear is mounted to the gear shaft and the second elongated tubular member is positioned therewithin and cooperatively engages the gear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the housing further includes an intermediate portion defining a first and a second surface for movement of the gear therebetween, the movement of the gear between the first and second surfaces allowing translation and rotation of the gear shaft and the second elongated member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a second bore configured and dimensioned for receiving the tissue receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a third bore configured and dimensioned for receiving the first elongated tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vacuum port removably mounted to the proximal end of the first elongated tubular member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing further defines a tissue receptacle portion for discharging a tissue sample.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of performing a surgical biopsy comprising the steps of: inserting a biopsy apparatus into the tissue of a patient, the biopsy apparatus including: a housing, a first elongated tubular member defining a fluid passageway therewithin and having a tissue receiver, a second elongated tubular member having a cutting surface formed at an open distal end thereof, and a third elongated tubular member having a distal tip portion and a lateral opening; applying suction to a series of openings formed along an inner surface of the tissue receiver to pull tissue into the tissue receiver; severing tissue disposed within the tissue receiver by advancing the second elongated tubular member over the first elongated tubular member such that a cutting surface formed on the distal end of the second elongated tubular member rotates as it passes over the tissue receiver; and removing the severed tissue sample from a tissue sampling site by retracting the first elongated tubular member within the second and third elongated tubular members until the tissue receiver is substantially aligned with a lateral opening formed in the housing wherein a tissue sample is urged out of the tissue receiver.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of performing a surgical biopsy comprising the steps of: inserting a biopsy apparatus into the tissue of a patient, the biopsy apparatus including: a housing, a first elongated tubular member defining a fluid passageway therewithin and having a tissue receiver, a second elongated tubular member having a cutting surface formed at an open distal end thereof, and a third elongated tubular member having a distal tip portion and a lateral opening; applying suction to a series of openings formed along an inner surface of the tissue receiver to pull tissue into the tissue receiver; severing tissue disposed within the tissue receiver by advancing the second elongated tubular member over the first elongated tubular member such that a cutting surface formed on the distal end of the second elongated tubular member rotates as it passes over the tissue receiver; and removing the severed tissue sample from a tissue sampling site by retracting the first elongated tubular member within the second and third elongated tubular members until the tissue receiver is substantially aligned with a lateral opening formed in the housing wherein a tissue sample is urged out of the tissue receiver.