# US RE46,135 E1 · Vacuum syringe assisted biopsy device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US RE46,135 E1 - Document ID: USRE46135E1 - Status: Granted - Kind: E1 - Application number: 13/507,652 - Filed: 2012-07-16 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2005-08-05 - Assignees: Devicor Medical Products, Inc. - Applicants: John A. Hibner - Inventors: John A. Hibner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE46135E1 ## CPC - A61B 10/0275: {with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable handpiece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable handpiece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. The motor also actuates a vacuum syringe in coordination with movement of the cutter tube to provide vacuum assistance in prolapsing tissue and retracting tissue samples. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A biopsy device, comprising: a probe cannula defining an internal passage; a proximal portion attached to the probe cannula positionable to insert the probe cannula into tissue; a cutter reciprocally received by the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula; a pneumatic container attached with the proximal portion and operably configured to communicate a low pneumatic pressure contained within the pneumatic container with the probe cannula; a motor contained in the proximal portion operatively coupled to translate the cutter, wherein the motor is further operatively coupled to reduce pneumatic pressure in the pneumatic container; and a frame assembly positioned within the biopsy device adjacent the proximal portion and attached to the probe cannula, wherein the frame assembly is longitudinally movable within the biopsy device, wherein the motor is further operably configured to impart a longitudinal to reciprocating motion to the frame assembly during insertion of the probe cannula into tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic container comprises a vacuum syringe comprising a vacuum cylinder and a plunger, the motor operatively coupled to the plunger. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the probe cannula comprises a cylindrical probe tube having a side aperture sized to admit prolapsed tissue, the cutter comprising a cutter tube axially offset within the probe tube to closely reciprocate past the side aperture. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the probe cannula comprises a cutter lumen having a side aperture, the cutter comprising a cutter tube sized to reciprocate within the cutter lumen, further comprising a lateral lumen distally communicating with the side aperture and defining the internal passage. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, further comprising a straw assembly positioned proximal to the cutter tube, the motor further operatively configured to longitudinally translate the straw assembly through the cutter tube to retract a severed tissue sample. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The biopsy device of claim 5, further comprising a straw carriage received on a translation shaft coupled to the straw assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, further comprising a cutter carriage received on a translation shaft coupled to the cutter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The biopsy device of claim 7, wherein the pneumatic container comprises a vacuum cylinder and plunger, the biopsy device further comprising a vacuum pump shuttle retracted by movement of the cutter carriage to position the plunger in the vacuum cylinder to create a low pressure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The biopsy device of claim 7, further comprising a vacuum assistance valve operably switched by the cutter carriage to communicate a low pressure from the pneumatic container to the probe cannula. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, further comprising a handpiece cover containing a motor driven carriage assembly and comprising a probe assembly, the probe assembly further comprising a cover engageable to the handpiece cover and attached to the probe cannula, the pneumatic container attached to a selected one of the handpiece cover and the probe assembly cover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the probe cannula comprises a cylindrical probe tube having a side aperture sized to admit prolapsed tissue, the cutter comprising a cutter tube axially offset within the probe tube to closely reciprocate past the side aperture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the probe cannula comprises a cutter lumen having a side aperture, the cutter comprising a cutter tube sized to translate within the cutter lumen, further comprising a lateral lumen distally communicating with the side aperture and defining the internal passage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, further comprising a motor driven carriage assembly and a straw assembly positioned proximal to the cutter, the motor driven carriage assembly further operatively configured to longitudinally translate the straw assembly through the cutter to retract a severed tissue sample. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The biopsy device of claim 13, further comprising a translation shaft rotated by the motor, and a straw carriage received on the translation shaft coupled to the straw assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The biopsy device of claim 1, further comprising a motor driven carriage assembly and a translation shaft rotated by the motor, wherein a cutter carriage is received on the translation shaft coupled to the cutter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The biopsy device of claim 15, wherein the pneumatic container comprises a vacuum syringe comprising a vacuum cylinder and a plunger, wherein the biopsy device further comprises a vacuum pump shuttle retracted by movement of the cutter carriage to position the plunger in the vacuum cylinder to create a low pressure. ### Claim 17 A biopsy device, comprising: a biopsy needle including a lateral tissue receiving feature; a low pneumatic pressure source in fluid communication with the biopsy needle, wherein the low pneumatic pressure source is operably configured to communicate a low pneumatic pressure to the biopsy needle; a cutter longitudinally translatable relative to the biopsy needle, wherein the cutter is operable to sever tissue prolapsed into the lateral tissue receiving feature of the biopsy needle; a valve assembly in communication with the biopsy needle, wherein the valve assembly is operable to selectively communicate atmospheric air to the biopsy needle based on the longitudinal position of the cutter; a motor operable to translate the cutter, wherein the motor is further operable to actuate the low pneumatic pressure source while simultaneously driving the cutter; and a frame assembly positioned within the biopsy device and attached to the biopsy needle, wherein the frame assembly is longitudinally movable within the biopsy device, wherein the motor is further operably configured to impart a longitudinal reciprocating motion to the frame assembly during insertion of the biopsy needle into tissue. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The biopsy device of claim 17, wherein the lateral tissue receiving feature is an aperture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The biopsy device of claim 17, wherein the cutter is longitudinally translatable within the biopsy needle.