← Back to Patent Explorer
US6050955A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Biopsy apparatus and method

Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
•
Filing: 1998-09-18
•
Granted: 2000-04-18
•
Expires: 2018-09-18
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract An apparatus and method for the biopsy of tissue specimens and, more particularly, a single insertion multiple sample percutaneous biopsy apparatus and method are provided. A tip at a distal end of a vacuum support tube is introduced into a tissue mass. The vacuum support tube is retracted exposing a basket tube bounded by a front washer and a rear washer mounted thereabout forming a tissue basket. The basket tube is supported internally by a thrust tube which provides structure to the apparatus to allow it to penetrate tissue. The thrust tube and the basket tube are in fluid communication and are provided with suction to draw tissue inward. The tissue is then severed by rotating and advancing a knife edge at the distal end of the vacuum support tube. The tissue basket is withdrawn and the tissue sample is removed by rotating the vacuum support tube. The tissue sample is sliced longitudinally, and a stripper scrapes the tissue sample from an opening in the vacuum support tube.

Inventors

  • 👤 Graham W. Bryan
  • 👤 Paul A. Matula

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 11:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0266; A61B10/0283; A61B10/0275; A61B2010/0208

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 308 words
A surgical biopsy apparatus, comprising: a base portion having a proximal and a distal end; a first elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and defining a fluid passageway therein, the proximal end of the first elongated member being slidably supported at the proximal end of the base portion and extending longitudinally therefrom, the first elongated tubular member further including: a tip portion disposed at its distal end and adapted to penetrate tissue; a plurality of openings formed adjacent its distal end and in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; a second elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member and being movable from a retracted position to an extended position wherein the distal end of the second elongated member is disposed laterally adjacent the plurality of openings of the first elongated member, the proximal end of the second elongated member being slidably supported at the proximal end of the base portion, the second elongated tubular member defining a tissue receiving portion disposed adjacent its distal end, the tissue receiving portion defining a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated member; a third elongated tubular member having a proximal and an open distal end and slidably mounted to the base portion and rotatably and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first and second members, the third elongated tubular member including: a cutting edge formed at the open distal end; and a lateral tissue discharge port, the third elongated tubular member being movable from an extended position wherein the cutting edge is disposed adjacent the tip portion of the first elongated tubular member and a retracted position wherein the lateral tissue discharge port is disposed laterally adjacent the tissue receiving portion of the second elongated tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 308 words
A surgical biopsy apparatus, comprising: a base portion having a proximal and a distal end; a first elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and defining a fluid passageway therein, the proximal end of the first elongated member being slidably supported at the proximal end of the base portion and extending longitudinally therefrom, the first elongated tubular member further including: a tip portion disposed at its distal end and adapted to penetrate tissue; a plurality of openings formed adjacent its distal end and in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; a second elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member and being movable from a retracted position to an extended position wherein the distal end of the second elongated member is disposed laterally adjacent the plurality of openings of the first elongated member, the proximal end of the second elongated member being slidably supported at the proximal end of the base portion, the second elongated tubular member defining a tissue receiving portion disposed adjacent its distal end, the tissue receiving portion defining a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated member; a third elongated tubular member having a proximal and an open distal end and slidably mounted to the base portion and rotatably and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first and second members, the third elongated tubular member including: a cutting edge formed at the open distal end; and a lateral tissue discharge port, the third elongated tubular member being movable from an extended position wherein the cutting edge is disposed adjacent the tip portion of the first elongated tubular member and a retracted position wherein the lateral tissue discharge port is disposed laterally adjacent the tissue receiving portion of the second elongated tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 43 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a suction junction fixedly supported at the proximal end of the base portion, the suction junction removably mounted to the proximal end of the first elongated tubular member and in fluid communication therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 1, further including a vacuum port assembly fixedly mounted to the proximal end of the second elongated tubular member and in fluid communication therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the third elongated tubular member further comprises a control member mounted to its proximal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control member has a circular configuration and defines a knurled outer peripheral surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the base portion further comprises a nose support, a center support and a back support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 61 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 6, further including a latch plate assembly attached to the base portion between the center and back supports, the latch plate assembly including a first latch having a cantilevered portion and a camming surface resiliently biased against the control member, the cantilevered portion releasably locking the third elongated tubular member at its distalmost position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 46 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the latch plate assembly further comprises a second latch having a cantilevered portion and a camming surface resiliently biased against the vacuum port assembly, the cantilevered portion releasably locking the vacuum port assembly at its distalmost position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the distal end of the first elongated tubular member is supported at the back support of the base portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second elongated tubular member is supported at the back support of the base portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 71 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a tissue stripping member mounted to the base portion and disposed between the nose support and the center support, the tissue stripping member including a flexible extended portion configured and dimensioned to enter the tissue discharge port of the third elongated tubular member upon alignment of the tissue discharge port with the tissue receiving portion of the second elongated tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 34 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the tissue stripping member includes a friction reducing coating formed thereon to reduce friction with body tissue coming in contact with the tissue stripping member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 26 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second elongated tubular member defines a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuum port assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 57 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second elongated tubular member further includes a front washer and a rear washer mounted thereon and defining the tissue receiving portion therebetween, the rear washer defining a plurality of transverse openings spaced radially thereabout in fluid communication with the fluid passageway of the second elongated tubular member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 35 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tip has a tapered closed distal end and a stepped proximal end configured to cooperatively engage the distal end of the first elongated tubular member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 34 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cutting element is longitudinally attached to an exterior surface of the first elongated tubular member, the cutting element positioned to sever a tissue sample.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
The surgical biopsy apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second elongated tubular member defines a slot for receiving the cutting element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 456 words
A surgical biopsy apparatus, comprising: a base portion having a proximal and a distal end, the base portion further including a nose support, a center support and a back support; a latch plate assembly attached to the base portion between the center and back supports, the latch plate assembly including a first latch and a second latch wherein each latch has a cantilevered portion and a camming surface; a first elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and removably supported in the base portion and defining a fluid passageway therein, wherein the proximal end of the first elongated member is supported by the back support of the base portion, the first elongated tubular member including: a tapered closed distal end portion adapted to penetrate tissue; a plurality of openings formed adjacent its distal end and in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; a cutting element longitudinally attached to an exterior surface of the first elongated member and extending radially outward therefrom; a suction junction is fixedly supported within the back support of the base portion, the suction junction removably mounted to the proximal end of the first elongated tubular member and in fluid communication therewith; a second elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member and being movable from a retracted position to an extended position wherein the distal end of the second elongated member is disposed laterally adjacent the plurality of openings of the first elongated member, wherein the distal end of the second elongated member is supported by the back support of the base portion, the second elongated tubular member including: a front washer and a rear washer mounted thereon and defining a tissue receiving portion therebetween, the rear washer defining a plurality of openings disposed radially thereabout and the tissue receiving portion defining a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated member; a third elongated tubular member having a proximal and an open distal end and slidably mounted in the base portion and rotatably and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first and second members, the third elongated tubular member including: a cutting edge formed at the open distal end; a lateral tissue discharge port, the third elongated tubular member being movable from an extended position wherein the cutting edge is disposed adjacent the tapered closed distal end portion of the first elongated tubular member and a retracted position wherein the lateral tissue discharge port is disposed laterally adjacent the tissue receiving portion of the second elongated tubular member; and a vacuum port assembly fixedly mounted to the proximal end of the second elongated tubular member and in fluid communication therewith.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 456 words
A surgical biopsy apparatus, comprising: a base portion having a proximal and a distal end, the base portion further including a nose support, a center support and a back support; a latch plate assembly attached to the base portion between the center and back supports, the latch plate assembly including a first latch and a second latch wherein each latch has a cantilevered portion and a camming surface; a first elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and removably supported in the base portion and defining a fluid passageway therein, wherein the proximal end of the first elongated member is supported by the back support of the base portion, the first elongated tubular member including: a tapered closed distal end portion adapted to penetrate tissue; a plurality of openings formed adjacent its distal end and in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; a cutting element longitudinally attached to an exterior surface of the first elongated member and extending radially outward therefrom; a suction junction is fixedly supported within the back support of the base portion, the suction junction removably mounted to the proximal end of the first elongated tubular member and in fluid communication therewith; a second elongated tubular member having a proximal and a distal end and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member and being movable from a retracted position to an extended position wherein the distal end of the second elongated member is disposed laterally adjacent the plurality of openings of the first elongated member, wherein the distal end of the second elongated member is supported by the back support of the base portion, the second elongated tubular member including: a front washer and a rear washer mounted thereon and defining a tissue receiving portion therebetween, the rear washer defining a plurality of openings disposed radially thereabout and the tissue receiving portion defining a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated member; a third elongated tubular member having a proximal and an open distal end and slidably mounted in the base portion and rotatably and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first and second members, the third elongated tubular member including: a cutting edge formed at the open distal end; a lateral tissue discharge port, the third elongated tubular member being movable from an extended position wherein the cutting edge is disposed adjacent the tapered closed distal end portion of the first elongated tubular member and a retracted position wherein the lateral tissue discharge port is disposed laterally adjacent the tissue receiving portion of the second elongated tubular member; and a vacuum port assembly fixedly mounted to the proximal end of the second elongated tubular member and in fluid communication therewith.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 349 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 first elongated tubular member defining a fluid passageway therein and further defining a plurality of openings formed adjacent a distal end and in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, a second elongated tubular member defining a tissue receiving portion and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated tubular member, and a third elongated tubular member having a cutting edge formed at an open distal end and defining a lateral tissue discharge port; extending the second elongated tubular member to align the plurality of openings of the first elongated tubular member and the plurality of openings of the second elongated tubular member; retracting the third elongated tubular member to expose the tissue receiving portion of the second elongated tubular member; applying suction to the fluid passageway of the first elongated tubular member in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated tubular member and thereby in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the second elongated tubular member, to pull tissue into the tissue receiving portion; severing tissue disposed within the tissue receiving portion by extending the third elongated tubular member to adjacent a closed distal tapered end portion of the first elongated tubular member, such that a cutting surface formed on the open distal end of the third elongated tubular member rotates as it passes over the tissue receiving portion; and removing the severed tissue sample from the tissue sampling site by applying suction to a fluid passageway defined in the second elongated tubular member in fluid communication with a plurality of openings defined within a rear washer of the second elongated tubular member, retracting the second elongated tubular member and thereby pulling the severed tissue sample until the tissue receiving portion is aligned with the lateral discharge port of the third elongated tubular member wherein a tissue stripping plate urges the tissue sample out of the tissue receiving portion.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 349 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 first elongated tubular member defining a fluid passageway therein and further defining a plurality of openings formed adjacent a distal end and in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, a second elongated tubular member defining a tissue receiving portion and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated tubular member, and a third elongated tubular member having a cutting edge formed at an open distal end and defining a lateral tissue discharge port; extending the second elongated tubular member to align the plurality of openings of the first elongated tubular member and the plurality of openings of the second elongated tubular member; retracting the third elongated tubular member to expose the tissue receiving portion of the second elongated tubular member; applying suction to the fluid passageway of the first elongated tubular member in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first elongated tubular member and thereby in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the second elongated tubular member, to pull tissue into the tissue receiving portion; severing tissue disposed within the tissue receiving portion by extending the third elongated tubular member to adjacent a closed distal tapered end portion of the first elongated tubular member, such that a cutting surface formed on the open distal end of the third elongated tubular member rotates as it passes over the tissue receiving portion; and removing the severed tissue sample from the tissue sampling site by applying suction to a fluid passageway defined in the second elongated tubular member in fluid communication with a plurality of openings defined within a rear washer of the second elongated tubular member, retracting the second elongated tubular member and thereby pulling the severed tissue sample until the tissue receiving portion is aligned with the lateral discharge port of the third elongated tubular member wherein a tissue stripping plate urges the tissue sample out of the tissue receiving portion.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US33258A Cited
US34056A Cited
US737293A Cited
US1585934A Cited
US1663761A Cited
US1867624A Cited
DE935625C Cited
US2729210A Cited
FR1161400A Cited
DE1817555U Cited
FR1267960A Cited
US3400708A Cited
US3477423A Cited
US3561429A Cited
US3590808A Cited
US3732858A Cited
US3606878A Cited
GB1255330A Cited
US3844272A Cited
SU400319A1 Cited
US3734099A Cited
GB1393068A Cited
US3929123A Cited
US3989033A Cited
SU520976A1 Cited
US3995619A Cited
FR2332743B1 Cited
SU707576A1 Cited
US4099518A Cited
SU648219A1 Cited
US4200106A Cited
US4203444B1 Cited
US4203444A Cited
US4210146A Cited
EP0019104A2 Cited
US4340066A Cited
US4396021A Cited
SU1192795A1 Cited
US4660267A Cited
US4600014A Cited
US4776346A Cited
SU1178422A1 Cited
USRE33258E Cited
US4651753A Cited
US4662869A Cited
US4708147A Cited
US4702260A Cited
US4702261A Cited
US4644951A Cited
US4674502A Cited
US4699154A Cited
US4711250A Cited
US4799494A Cited
US4681123A Cited
US4735215A Cited
US4733671A Cited
US4874375A Cited
US4907598A Cited
US4781202A Cited
US4953558A Cited
US4944308A Cited
US5146921A Cited
US4844088A Cited
US4881551A Cited
GB2237992A Cited
US4907599A Cited
US4989614A Cited
US5080655A Cited
US4936835A Cited
US5195988A Cited
US5254105A Cited
US4838280A Cited
EP0378692A4 Cited
US4924878A Cited
US4917100A Cited
US5226910A Cited
US5106364A Cited
US5368045A Cited
US4958625A Cited
US5535755A Cited
USRE34056E Cited
US5226909A Cited
US4976269A Cited
US5047008A Cited
FR2654609B1 Cited
US5036860A Cited
US5048538A Cited
US4940061A Cited
US4991592A Cited
US5031634A Cited
US5121751A Cited
US5243994A Cited
US5290303A Cited
US5183052A Cited
US5188118A Cited
US5282476A Cited
US5249583A Cited
US5492130A Cited
US5127419A Cited
US5199441A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-04-18 2003-10-18 2004-04-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-04-18 2007-10-18 2008-04-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-04-18 2011-10-18 2012-04-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag