Biopsy device for removing tissue specimens using a vacuum

A method for controlling a biopsy device, comprising:

• providing a durable drive and a disposable component configured to be driven by the durable drive, the disposable component having a biopsy needle with a sample chamber selectively covered by a sheath and a vacuum pump coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy needle, the sheath being initially in a retracted position to uncover the sample chamber so that the sample chamber is open to visual inspection, and the durable drive comprising a sensor for sensing installation of the disposable component;
• maintaining the sheath in the retracted position with the sample chamber uncovered, before installing the disposable component in the durable drive;
• installing the disposable component in the durable drive;
• sensing the installing with the sensor, and automatically operating the durable drive to position the sheath in a covered position wherein the sheath covers the sample chamber;
• and
• maintaining the sheath in the covered position that covers the sample chamber after installing the disposable component in the durable drive until after the biopsy needle is inserted into a host.

A method for installation of a disposable unit in a durable drive unit, the disposable unit having a biopsy needle and a vacuum pump coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy needle, the biopsy needle having a sample chamber and a sheath that selectively covers and uncovers the sample chamber, and the durable drive unit comprising a sensor for sensing installation of the disposable unit, the method comprising:

• providing the disposable unit with the sheath initially in a retracted position that uncovers the sample chamber to permit inspection of the sample chamber before the disposable unit is used in a biopsy operation,
• installing the disposable unit in the durable drive unit;
• sensing the installing of the disposable unit in the durable drive unit with the sensor;
• based on sensing the installing, driving the durable drive unit with the disposable unit installed, wherein the sheath is driven from the retracted position to cover the sample chamber;
• and
• maintaining the sheath in a covered position that covers the sample chamber, after driving the durable drive unit to cover the sample chamber, until after the biopsy needle is inserted into a host.

A biopsy device, comprising:

• a disposable unit including a biopsy needle and a vacuum pump coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy needle, the biopsy needle having a sample chamber and a sheath that is configured to selectively cover and uncover the sample chamber;
• and
• a durable drive unit configured to be interoperable with the disposable unit when the disposable unit is installed in the durable drive unit,
• wherein the sheath is in a retracted position with the sample chamber uncovered to permit inspection of the sample chamber prior to installation in the durable drive unit,
• the durable drive unit having a sensor configured to detect installation of the disposable unit in the durable drive unit, the durable drive unit being configured to automatically extend the sheath to cover the sample chamber when the installation of the disposable unit in the durable drive unit is detected by the sensor.

A biopsy device, comprising:

• a disposable unit including a biopsy needle and a vacuum pump coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy needle, the biopsy needle having a sample chamber and a sheath that is configured to selectively cover and uncover the sample chamber;
• and
• a durable drive unit configured to be interoperable with the disposable unit when the disposable unit is installed in the durable drive unit,
• the disposable unit being provided with the sheath in a retracted position with the sample chamber uncovered to permit inspection of the sample chamber prior to installation in the durable drive unit, the durable drive unit is configured with an insertion mode in which the sheath is driven to cover the sample chamber prior to insertion of the biopsy needle into a host,
• the durable drive unit having a cover to enclose the disposable unit, the durable drive unit having a sensor configured to detect installation of the disposable unit in the durable drive unit, the cover being configured to push a portion of the disposable unit against the sensor to cause the disposable unit to be detected to initiate the insertion mode.

A biopsy device, comprising:

• a drive unit configured to receive a replaceable biopsy needle carrier unit;
• the replaceable biopsy needle carrier unit having a biopsy needle with a sample chamber configured for being selectively covered with a sheath and a vacuum pump coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy needle, the replaceable biopsy needle carrier unit being configured to have an insertion mode in which the sample chamber is covered by the sheath and a load mode in which the sample chamber is uncovered;
• the drive unit including a power source, a controller, and a load switch connected to the controller, the drive unit configured to engage the replaceable biopsy needle carrier unit with a gear;
• the load switch configured to transmit an initialization signal upon the connection of the replaceable biopsy needle carrier unit to the drive unit;
• and
• the controller configured to respond to the initialization signal by placing the replaceable biopsy needle carrier unit in the insertion mode.

A biopsy device, comprising:

• a disposable unit including a biopsy needle, a vacuum pump and a sheath, the biopsy needle having a sample chamber, the vacuum pump being coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy needle, and the sheath configured to selectively cover and uncover the sample chamber;
• and
• a durable drive unit with which the disposable unit is interoperable when installed in the durable drive unit, the durable drive unit having a housing and a controller contained in the housing operably coupled to the disposable unit when the disposable unit is installed in the durable drive unit,
• the sheath having a retracted position with the sample chamber uncovered, wherein the sample chamber is not covered by the sheath prior to installation in the durable drive unit,
• the durable drive unit having a sensor communicatively coupled to the controller to detect installation of the disposable unit, the durable drive unit being configured to automatically cover the uncovered sample chamber with the sheath when the installation of the disposable unit in the durable drive unit is detected by the sensor.

A biopsy device, comprising:

• a disposable unit including a biopsy needle, a vacuum pump and a length of flexible tubing;
• the biopsy needle having a cutting sheath;
• the vacuum pump including an elongate cylinder positioned adjacent the biopsy needle, the elongate cylinder having a vacuum port at an end thereof, the elongate cylinder having a piston sealed and movable in the elongate cylinder to generate a vacuum when driven;
• the length of flexible tubing interposed in fluid communication between the biopsy needle at an end thereof and to the vacuum port of the vacuum pump;
• a movable shooting device connected to the biopsy needle, such that the biopsy needle is configured to move with the shooting device relative to the elongate cylinder, the flexible tube being sufficiently flexible to accommodate the movement of the biopsy needle;
• a drive for driving the vacuum pump and the biopsy needle;
• a controller coupled to the drive;
• a switch coupled to the controller;
• and
• a housing configured to contain the switch, the controller, the drive, the movable shooting device, and at least a portion of the disposable unit, the switch being located on the housing and configured to detect an installation of the disposable unit in the housing,
• wherein the switch is configured to transmit a signal to the controller upon detection of installation of the disposable unit in the housing, and the controller is configured to respond to the signal by controlling the drive to initialize the biopsy needle to an insertion mode where the biopsy needle is configured for insertion into and subsequent sampling from a host.