Transport System for Biopsy Device

A method of operating a biopsy device for removing at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the biopsy device comprising:

• providing a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;
• moving a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle from a retracted position to an extended position to expose a cavity in the sample-receiving device, the cavity configured to receive a tissue sample;
• displacing the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received by the cavity of the sample-receiving device;
• moving a toothed flexible member along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle;
• and
• receiving the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member in a helical coiling-up groove of a housing element when the sample-receiving device is moved to the retracted position.

A method for using a biopsy device for removing at least one tissue sample from a body of a living being, the method comprising:

• providing a disposable biopsy unit configured for releasable attachment to a handle unit, the handle unit having a power source and a motor, wherein the disposable unit is attached to the handle unit, the disposable biopsy unit having a hollow needle, a sample-receiving device, a transport device, and a housing element,
• the hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end,
• the sample-receiving device being received in the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device having a cavity for receiving a tissue sample,
• the transport device configured for drivable coupling to the motor of the handle unit, the transport device including a drive gear and a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with the drive gear, the toothed flexible member having a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device and having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle,
• the housing element having a helical coiling-up groove;
• moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from a retracted position to an extended position to expose the cavity to receive a tissue sample;
• moving toothed flexible member along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position;
• and
• receiving the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member in the helical coiling-up groove of the housing element as the sample-receiving device is moved to the retracted position.

A method of sampling tissue comprising:

• providing a device that includes a handle unit comprising a power source and a motor, and a disposable unit including a hollow needle, a sample-receiving device having a cavity, a drive mechanism, a transport device;
• a sample flushing chamber, and a sample container;
• and
• operating the device by process steps including:
• inserting the hollow needle into a patient;
• receiving tissue into a cavity in the sample-receiving device disposed in the hollow needle;
• severing the tissue by using a single-shot mechanism to distally displace the hollow needle with respect to the sample receiving device;
• retracting the sample-receiving device, wherein retracting includes operating the transport device, the transport device having a drive gear engaged with a toothed flexible member and wherein the toothed flexible member is coupled to the sample-receiving device, the toothed flexible member is configured to move along the longitudinal axis to align the cavity with a sample flushing chamber;
• ejecting the tissue into the sample container by starting fluid flow through the sample flushing chamber;
• ending fluid flow;
• and
• extending the sample-receiving device.

A method of sampling tissue, comprising:

• providing a device comprising a handle unit comprising a power source and a motor;
• providing a disposable unit releasably coupled to the device, the disposable unit including:
• a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;
• a sample-receiving device disposed in the hollow needle, the sample-receiving device configured to move in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the sample-receiving device has a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample;
• a drive mechanism configured to distally move the hollow needle relative to the sample-receiving device;
• a transport device coupled to the motor, the transport device including a drive gear and a toothed flexible member engaged with the drive gear, coupled to the sample-receiving device, and configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle, the toothed flexible member extending past the hollow needle;
• and
• a housing element having a helical coiling-up groove configured to accommodate the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted;
• and
• activating the device to obtain a tissue sample.