Surgical biopsy device having a flexible cutter

Abstract

A biopsy probe for the collection of at least one soft tissue sample from a surgical patient. The biopsy probe has a frame and an elongated piercing element having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the frame and a sharpened distal end for piercing tissue. The piercing element has a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The probe also includes an elongated cutter disposed coaxially and slidably within the lumen of the piercing element. The cutter has a distal end for cutting a tissue sample, a proximal end and a body connecting the distal and proximal ends, wherein at least a portion of the body comprises a flexible member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates, in general, to devices for tissue sampling and, more particularly, to improved biopsy probes for acquiring subcutaneous biopsies and for removing lesions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancerous tumors, pre-malignant conditions, and other disorders has long been an area of intense investigation. Non-invasive methods for examining tissue are palpation, X-ray, MRI, CT, and ultrasound imaging. When the physician suspects that a tissue may contain cancerous cells, a biopsy may be done either in an open procedure or in a percutaneous procedure. For an open procedure, a scalpel is used by the surgeon to create a large incision in the tissue in order to provide direct viewing and access to the tissue mass of interest. Removal of the entire mass (excisional biopsy), or a part of the mass (incisional biopsy) is done. For a percutaneous biopsy, a needle-like instrument is used throug...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The type of biopsy used depends mainly on various factors present in the patient, and no single procedure is ideal for all cases.

However, these types of spring-powered devices must re-puncture the breast or organ each time a sample is taken.

Operator error can often be an issue with the above described devices.

This creates a problem for the manufacturers of devices, like the MAMMOTOME, which is intended to be mounted between the x-ray source and image plate of the x-ray imaging machine.

However, on some of the more popular upright style x-ray imaging machines the SID has been found to be as little as 29 centimeters, obviously too small in which to mount the MAMMOTOME.

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