Devices and methods for reducing fluid in the imaging field of a tissue handling apparatus for improving biopsy system imaging quality

A method of acquiring a tissue specimen image on a tissue biopsy system including a biopsy device and an imaging unit, the method comprising:

• excising a tissue specimen via the biopsy device;
• transferring the excised tissue specimen from the biopsy device to the imaging unit via a tube line, the imaging unit having an imaging device defining an imaging field;
• receiving the excised tissue specimen at a tissue holder assembly disposed within the imaging unit, the tissue holder assembly including a base having a bottom member and a cylindrical sidewall and a central hub extending upward from the bottom member, the central hub defining a longitudinal axis, a cover configured to removably couple to the base forming an interior chamber therein, and a tissue holder disposed within the interior chamber, wherein the tube line is coupled to the cover at an inlet port, and wherein the tissue holder defines a plurality of tissue storage compartments, the excised tissue specimen received in a first tissue storage compartment of the plurality of tissue storage compartments that is at a loading position within the tissue holder assembly;
• rotating the tissue holder around the longitudinal axis within the interior chamber such that the first tissue storage compartment having the excised tissue specimen is in an imaging position within the tissue holder assembly, wherein the base of the tissue holder assembly includes a raised surface relative to the longitudinal axis that abuts the central hub, the raised surface extends radially outward from the central hub toward the cylindrical sidewall and circumferentially through an arc such that a sector shape is defined, and the raised surface is disposed within the imaging field of the imaging device, and wherein the imaging position includes the first tissue storage compartment being positioned above the raised surface;
• and
• acquiring the tissue specimen image of the excised tissue specimen with the imaging device.

A tissue biopsy system comprising:

• an imaging unit including an imaging device defining an imaging field;
• a biopsy device configured to excise a tissue specimen;
• a tube line coupled to the biopsy device at one end and configured to transfer the excised tissue specimen;
• and
• a tissue holder assembly disposed within the imaging unit and including:
• a base having a bottom member and both a cylindrical sidewall and a central hub extending upward from the bottom member, the central hub defining a longitudinal axis, the base including a raised surface relative to the longitudinal axis that abuts the central hub and extends radially outward from the central hub toward the cylindrical sidewall, the raised surface also extending circumferentially through an arc such that a sector shape is defined, and the raised surface disposed within the imaging field of the imaging device;
• a cover configured to removably couple to the base forming an interior chamber therein, the tube line coupled to the cover at an inlet port;
• and
• a tissue holder defining a plurality of tissue storage compartments,
• wherein the tissue holder is rotatable around the longitudinal axis within the interior chamber, wherein the tissue holder is rotatable so as to position a first storage compartment of the plurality of tissue storage compartments in a loading position radially aligned with the inlet port to receive the excised tissue specimen, and wherein the tissue holder is rotatable so as to position the first tissue storage compartment in an imaging position above the raised surface of the base.