Marker device and method of deploying a cavity marker using a surgical biopsy device

A biopsy marker introduction device for deploying a biopsy marker through a biopsy instrument having a probe defining a cutter lumen including a probe lateral distal opening and a probe proximal opening, and a hollow cutter distally advanceable and proximally retractable through the cuter lumen, wherein the cutter has a sharp open distal end configured to sever tissue, the biopsy marker introduction device comprising:

• an introducer tube configured to be received in the cutter lumen and having a tube lateral distal opening;
• a marker slidingly received in the introducer tube;
• and
• a marker deployment rod at least partially disposed in the introducer tube proximal to the marker and slidingly received in the introducer tube, the marker deployment rod having a cutter seat configured for abutment with the sharp open distal end of the cutter to deploy the marker through the tube lateral distal opening,
• wherein the introducer tube and the tube lateral distal opening are configured such that when the introducer tube is inserted into the cutter lumen, the tube lateral distal opening and the probe lateral distal opening can be aligned at least in part, and wherein the marker deployment rod has a length adapted for cooperation with the cutter such that when the tube, marker and marker deployment rod are inserted into the cutter lumen, distally advancing the cutter will drive the marker deployment rod and cause the marker to be urged through the tube lateral distal opening and the probe lateral distal opening.

A biopsy system for obtaining a biopsy sample, the biopsy system comprising:

• a biopsy probe including a cutter lumen that communicates between a probe lateral distal opening and a probe proximal opening;
• a biopsy handle holding the biopsy probe, having an actuator for cutting the biopsy sample through the biopsy probe;
• a hollow cutter operably connected to the actuator, and distally advanceable and proximally retractable through the cutter lumen, wherein the cutter has a sharp open distal end configured to sever tissue;
• and
• a marker introduction device comprising:
• an introducer tube configured to be received in the cutter lumen and having a tube lateral distal opening,
• a marker slidingly received in the tube, and
• a pusher proximal to the marker and slidingly received in the tube, and having a proximal cutter seat having a diameter greater than that of the cutter, the cutter seat configured for abutment with the sharp open distal end of the cutter;
• wherein the introducer tube and the tube lateral distal opening are configured such that when the tube is inserted into the cutter lumen, the tube lateral distal opening and the probe lateral distal opening can be aligned at least in part, and wherein the pusher has a length adapted for cooperation with the cutter such that when the tube, marker and pusher are inserted into the cutter lumen, distally advancing the cutter will drive the pusher and cause the marker to be urged through the tube lateral distal opening and the probe lateral distal opening.