US 6,120,462 A · Control method for an automated surgical biopsy device

Abstract

A method is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient using a biopsy instrument. The biopsy instrument comprises an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen extending therethrough. The biopsy instrument further comprises a cutter rotatably and translationally positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving and transferring the tissue portion into the piercer lumen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method for using the biopsy instrument comprises the steps of engaging tissue in the port; translating the cutter at a first, predetermined translational speed from a first position to a second position proximal to the port; measuring the translational speed of the cutter; translating the cutter at a second, predetermined translational speed from the second position to a third position proximal to the port; translating the cutter at a third, predetermined translational speed from the third position to a fourth position distal to the port; rotating the cutter at a predetermined rotation speed; measuring the rotational speed of the cutter; and modifying the translational speed of the cutter when the rotational speed of the cutter varies from the predetermined rotational speed by more than a first, predetermined differential rotational speed.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A method of removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient using a biopsy instrument comprising an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen extending therethrough, a cutter translationally positionable relative to said piercer, and said piercer having a port for receiving and transferring said tissue sample into said piercer lumen, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

engaging tissue in said port;
translating said cutter at a first, predetermined translational speed from a first position to a second position distal to said first position and proximal to said port;
measuring the translational speed of said cutter;
translating said cutter at a second, predetermined translational speed from said second position to a third position proximal to said port and distal to said second position;
and
translating said cutter at a third, predetermined translational speed from said third position to a fourth position distal to said port.

3 more elements

A method of removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient using a biopsy instrument comprising an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen extending therethrough, a cutter rotatably and translationally positionable relative to said piercer, and said piercer having a port for receiving and transferring said tissue sample into said piercer lumen, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

engaging tissue in said port;
translating said cutter at a first, predetermined translational speed from a first position to a second position distal to said first position and proximal to said port;
measuring the translational speed of said cutter;
translating said cutter at a second, predetermined translational speed from said second position to a third position proximal to said port and distal to said second position;
translating said cutter at a third, predetermined translational speed from said third position to a fourth position distal to said port;
rotating said cutter at a predetermined rotational speed;
measuring the rotational speed of said cutter;
and
modifying the translational speed of said cutter when rotational speed of said cutter varies from said predetermined rotational speed by more than a predetermined differential rotational speed.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control method for an automated surgical biopsy device

Life of this patent

Control method for an automated surgical biopsy device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25