Pinch valve

#The present invention relates to a pneumatic circuit, and particularly to a pneumatic circuit for use in the operation of an at least partially air-powered tool. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pneumatic circuit useful in the pneumatic operation of a medical device.

#The present disclosure relates to one or more of the following features, elements or combinations thereof. A pneumatic control system is provided for use with a medical device, illustratively a suction biopsy device. The suction biopsy device has a cannula for insertion into a body to a point adjacent to a mass to be examined, and a rotating cutter device is housed within.

#A rinse or illustratively saline solution is provided for assisting in the removal of the mass to be examined. A suction is provided for assisting in the removal of the mass to be examined.

#The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

#FIG. 1 is a top perspective partial view of a Breast Biopsy System having a hand wand, the Biopsy System including a pneumatic circuit internally, the circuit configured to operate the Biopsy System and hand wand;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 1;

#One embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the form of a Breast Biopsy System 2 having a hand wand 4. Biopsy System 2 illustratively includes a console 6 having an access door 8 and a control panel 9 positioned toward the top of the console 6. Biopsy System 2 includes an internal pneumatic circuit 10 (shown in FIGS. 8-12 and schematically in FIGS. 16-18) that is configured to operate a medical device 70, illustratively hand wand 4, as will be discussed in more detail below. It should be understood that as used herein, medical device 70 can be any medical device that is powered at least in part by pneumatic pressure. The illustrative medical device 70 comprises a hand wand 4, and such terms are used interchangeably throughout.

#Biopsy System 2, and particularly hand wand 4, illustratively function in the following manner. A patient having a mass 142 to be removed receives a local anesthetic and the mass is identified and located in the patient. Location methods may include ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-Ray, or any other method known in the medical industry. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3A-B, hand wand 4 illustratively includes a hollowed needle or cannula 130 extending therefrom, the cannula 130 having a sharp distal end 136 for facilitating piercing into the patient's body, and the cannula 130 further having a cutter 134 positioned therein for rotational and axial movement relative to the cannula 130. Cutter 134 is illustratively a cylindrical blade, but other configurations are within the scope of the disclosure. Distal end 136 is illustratively a frusto-conical stainless steel tip press-fitted on the end of cannula 130, the tip having a plastic cutting board (not shown) housed within for receiving cutter 134 when cutter 134 is at its full stroke position.

#An aperture 132 is illustratively formed in the cylindrical wall of cannula 130 at its distal end. During operation, as shown in FIGS. 3A-B, a physician inserts cannula 130 into the patient (i.e. the cannula is inserted into a woman's breast) such that aperture 132 is positioned proximal to a mass 142 to be removed. While the cannula is being inserted into the patient's body, the cylindrical cutter 134 is positioned inside cannula 130 such that cutter 134 substantially closes off aperture 132. Pneumatic circuit 10 directs compressed air to pneumatic cylinder 26 in order to position cutter 134 at its full stroke position.