Biopsy probe mechanism having multiple echogenic features

A method of providing a biopsy apparatus for use in conjunction with an ultrasound device, comprising:

• providing a driver assembly;
• and
• providing a biopsy probe mechanism coupled to the driver assembly, the driver assembly providing operative control over the biopsy probe mechanism, the biopsy probe mechanism including:
• an elongate sample receiving member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sample receiving notch located proximal to the distal end, the elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and a cutting cannula arranged coaxially with the elongate sample receiving member, and including a first echogenic feature established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature established on the cutting cannula, and
• the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula having a first position in which the first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature to facilitate creation of a single echogenic reflection, and
• when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are moved relative to one another from the first position, the first echogenic feature and the second echogenic feature are out of longitudinal alignment to facilitate creation of separate individual echogenic reflections with respect to the first echogenic feature and the second echogenic feature,
• the elongate sample receiving member having a third echogenic feature, with one of the first echogenic feature and the third echogenic feature being located distal to the sample receiving notch and the other of the first echogenic feature and the third echogenic feature being located proximal to the sample receiving notch, and
• wherein the cutting cannula has a fourth echogenic feature spaced apart from the second echogenic feature, such that when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the first position, the third echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenic feature to facilitate creation of a single echogenic reflection, and
• when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are not in the first position, the third echogenic feature is out of longitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenic feature to facilitate creation of separate individual echogenic reflections with respect to the third echogenic feature and the fourth echogenic feature.

A method of providing a biopsy probe mechanism, comprising:

• providing an elongate sample receiving member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and having a sample receiving notch, the sample receiving notch being located proximal to the distal end;
• coaxially arranging a cutting cannula with the elongate sample receiving member, the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula being movable relative to one another along the longitudinal axis;
• establishing a first echogenic feature on the elongate sample receiving member;
• establishing a second echogenic feature on the cutting cannula;
• establishing a third echogenic feature on the elongate sample receiving member spaced apart from the first echogenic feature, with one of the first echogenic feature and the third echogenic feature being located distal to the sample receiving notch and the other of the first echogenic feature and the third echogenic feature being located proximal to the sample receiving notch;
• establishing a fourth echogenic feature on the cutting cannula at a location spaced apart from the second echogenic feature;
• and
• defining a first position of the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula in which the first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature, and in which the third echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenic feature,
• and when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are moved relative to one another from the first position, the first echogenic feature and the second echogenic feature are out of longitudinal alignment, and the third echogenic feature and the fourth echogenic feature are out of longitudinal alignment.