# US 2016/0256138 A1 · Transport System for Biopsy Device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0256138 A1 - Document ID: US20160256138A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/159,129 - Filed: 2016-05-19 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-09 - Assignees: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc. - Applicants: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc. - Inventors: Karsten Videbaek; Martin B. Jorgensen; Lasse Danborg; Lasse G. Staal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256138A1 ## CPC - A61B 10/0275: {with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet} - A61B 10/0096: {Casings for storing test samples (A61B10/0038, A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/10; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30)} - A61B 10/0266: {means for severing sample} - A61B 10/0283: {with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence)} - A61B 2010/0208: {Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms} - A61B 2010/0225: {for taking multiple samples} - A61B 2217/002: Auxiliary appliance - A61B 2560/0475: Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards - G01N 2001/315: {Basket-type carriers for tissues} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method of operating a biopsy device includes providing a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis; 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. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the helical coiling-up groove is defined by a wall element configured to form a spiral, the wall element being arranged such that contact between successive coiled-up portions of the toothed flexible member is prevented. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the toothed flexible member flexes away from the longitudinal axis of the hollow needle to coil in the helical coiling-up groove of the housing element. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein in the extended position, the sample-receiving device projects from the distal end of the needle, the distal end of the hollow needle being defined by a circumferential cutting edge, and in the retracted position the sample-receiving device is accommodated in the hollow needle. ### Claim 25 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. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the helical coiling-up groove is defined by a wall element configured to form a spiral, the wall element being arranged such that contact between successive coiled-up portions of the toothed flexible member is prevented. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the toothed flexible member flexes away from the longitudinal axis of the hollow needle to coil in the helical coiling-up groove of the housing element. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, comprising: positioning the sample-receiving device in the extended position to project the cavity from the distal end of the needle; and positioning the sample-receiving device in the retracted position to withdraw the sample-receiving device into the hollow needle, wherein the sample-receiving device has a length that is shorter than a length of the hollow needle. ### Claim 29 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. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the step of inserting the hollow needle comprises activating a double-shot mechanism. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the step of receiving tissue comprises activating a vacuum pump to draw tissue into the cavity. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein a control system controls one or more of the process steps. ### Claim 33 The method of 32, wherein the control system comprises a microprocessor programmed to execute one or more process steps in a predefined cycle. ### Claim 34 The method of 33, wherein the predefined cycle repeats one or more process steps. ### Claim 35 The method of 29, wherein the sample container comprises multiple receptacles and the step of ejecting the tissue for one cycle deposits a first tissue sample into a first receptacle and the step of ejecting the tissue for a later cycle deposits a second tissue sample into a different receptacle. ### Claim 36 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the sample-receiving device is shorter than the hollow needle. ### Claim 37 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the disposable unit is releasably secured to the handle unit. ### Claim 38 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the disposable unit has a housing element having a helical coiling-up groove for accommodating the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted as the toothed flexible member is moved along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 39 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. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The method of claim 39, comprising: aligning the cavity with a sample flushing chamber; ejecting the tissue sample into a sample container by starting fluid flowing through the sample flushing chamber; ending fluid flow; and extending the sample-receiving device.