Method for excising core tissue sample

Abstract

Apparatus for safely and accurately positioning the fingertip of a physician (or technician) performing a biopsy procedure, e.g., to excise a core tissue samples of the male prostate or other internal organs, to avoid injury (e.g., a needle stick) from the sharpened distal end of a biopsy needle assembly. Such apparatus comprises an open tubular member defining an elongated passageway through which a biopsy needle assembly, when actuated, can be made to pass and to extend a predetermined distance along an external path in order to effect the core sampling of a biological mass of interest. The tubular housing supports a safety flange at its distal end, such flange having a flat surface adapted to be engaged by the fingertip of the physician prior to actuation of the biopsy needle assembly. Preferably, the engaged surface of the safety flange defines a physical fiducial adapted to be sensed by the user's fingertip, such fiducial being located a predetermined safe distance from the external path traveled by the needle assembly, whereby the physician is assured that his or her fingertip is safely spaced from the needle assembly when actuated, and the distal end of the tubular housing is precisely positioned relative to a biological mass of interest.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Patent Application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14 / 756,173, filed on Aug. 11, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 070,482, filed on Aug. 26, 2014, and entitled “Apparatus for Safely and Accurately Excising Core Tissue Samples from Palpated Nodules or Surface Lesions,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for taking core tissue samples of, for example, the male prostate or other internal organs at locations corresponding to surface irregularities that can be palpated by the fingertip of a physician (or technician). More specifically, it relates to apparatus for decreasing the risk of finger puncture and improving the accuracy of the biopsy of lesions of interest.[0004]Discussion of The Prior Art...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution enhances safety by preventing needle sticks and improves the accuracy of core sample excision by allowing precise control over the needle's placement and orientation, reducing the risk of unintended tissue biopsy and ensuring the needle remains on axis during the procedure.

Problems solved by technology

A “needle stick’ is not only painful to the recipient, but it also can result in the transmission of serious diseases to the examiner biopsying the lesion.

Generally, the closer this spacing, the higher the accuracy of the biopsy and, unfortunately, the greater the risk of an accidental finger stick by the needle.

In such case, movement of the stylet tip to penetrate a nodule of interest without knowing exactly where the fingertip is located may also cause a needle stick of the physician's fingertip.

Also, because of this uncertainty, the accuracy of the biopsy may be compromised, causing an unintended portion of the prostate to be biopsied.

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