Apparatus for automated biopsy and collection of soft tissue

A biopsy instrument comprising:

• an elongated primary hollow tube with a closed distal end;
• a tissue receiving port near said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube, wherein said tissue receiving port is configured to receive tissue;
• a vacuum chamber attached to said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube;
• at least one communicating hole between said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube and said vacuum chamber to pull tissue into said elongated primary hollow tube;
• an elongate inner cannula disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongated primary hollow tube, said elongate inner cannula having a distal cutting end for cutting the portion of tissue which has been pulled into said elongated primary hollow tube by vacuum pressure communicated from said vacuum chamber when said elongate inner cannula slides past said tissue receiving port, thereby depositing the portion of cut tissue within said elongate inner cannula proximal to said distal cutting end;
• an inner cannula driver connected to said elongate inner cannula and configured to move said elongate inner cannula axially within said elongated primary hollow tube, and
• an elongate knock-out pin disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongate inner cannula.

A biopsy instrument comprising:

• an elongated primary hollow tube with a closed distal end;
• a tissue receiving port near said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube, wherein said tissue receiving port is configured to receive tissue;
• a vacuum chamber attached to said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube;
• at least one communicating hole between said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube and said vacuum chamber to pull tissue into said elongated primary hollow tube;
• an elongate inner cannula disposed coaxially and slidably within said elongated primary hollow tube, said elongate inner cannula having a distal cutting end for cutting the portion of tissue which has been pulled into said elongated primary hollow tube by vacuum pressure communicated from said vacuum chamber when said elongate inner cannula slides past said tissue receiving port, thereby depositing the portion of cut tissue within said elongate inner cannula proximal to said distal cutting end;
• and
• an elongate inner cannula driving system coupled to a proximal portion of the elongate inner cannula, wherein said elongate inner cannula driving system controls the rotational motion of said elongate inner cannula about a longitudinal axis and the linear motion of said elongate inner cannula along said longitudinal axis.

A biopsy instrument comprising:

• an elongated primary hollow tube having a closed distal end, a lumen, and an open proximal end;
• a tissue receiving port near said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube, wherein said tissue receiving port is configured to receive tissue;
• a vacuum chamber attached to said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube, the vacuum chamber being disposed outside of said lumen;
• and
• at least one communicating hole between said distal end of said elongated primary hollow tube and said vacuum chamber to pull tissue into said elongated primary hollow tube;
• wherein vacuum pressure may be supplied to the distal end of the elongated primary hollow tube through said lumen and from said vacuum chamber, and a severed portion of said tissue may be transported proximally through said lumen.