Transmission assembly for a surgical biopsy device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved cable driven surgical biopsy device wherein a transmission assembly is disposed at a proximal end of the biopsy device. The transmission assembly being adapted to convert rotational motion of a cable entering the biopsy device of a substantially right angle into rotational energy to drive the axial cutter in the biopsy device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A biopsy instrument comprising: 
 a base assembly including a firing mechanism;    a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: 
 a cutter assembly comprising: 
 a cutter;  
 a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter;  
 
 a piercer assembly comprising: 
 a piercer;  
 a probe mount;  
 
   a drive assembly detachably mounted to said cutter assembly, said drive assembly comprising: 
 a flexible drive shaft;  
 a transmission comprising: 
 a first bevel gear operatively connected to a distal end of said flexible drive shaft;  
 a second bevel gear intermeshed with said first bevel gear and operatively connected to said gear mechanism.  
 
   
     
     
         2 . A biopsy instrument comprising: 
 a base assembly including a firing mechanism;    a probe assembly detachably mounted to said base assembly, said probe assembly comprising: 
 a cutter assembly comprising: 
 a cutter;  
 a first drive gear;  
 a gear mechanism adapted to move said cutter wherein said gear mechanism includes a second drive gear adapted to mesh with said first drive gear;  
 
 a piercer assembly comprising: 
 a piercer including a cutter lumen adapted to receive said cutter;  
 a probe mount adapted to slideably connect said piercer to said cutter assembly;  
 
   a drive assembly detachable mounted to said cutter assembly, said drive assembly comprising: 
 a flexible drive shaft adapted to be connected at its proximal end to a control unit including a motor;  
 a transmission adapted to transmit motion from a distal end of said flexible drive shaft to said gear mechanism, said transmission comprising: 
 a first bevel gear operatively connected to a distal end of said flexible drive shaft;  
 a second bevel gear intermeshed with said first bevel gear at a first angle with respect to said first bevel gear and operatively connected to a releasable drive mechanism adapted to slideably connect with a proximal end of said gear mechanism.  
 
   
     
     
         3 . A medical instrument according to  claim 2 , said medical instrument further comprising a coupling alignment sleeve operatively connected to said releasable drive mechanism.  
     
     
         4 . A transmission assembly for a medical instrument said transmission assembly comprising: 
 a mounting bracket;    a transmission plate;    a rotation coupling assembly comprising: 
 a rotation gear;  
 a rotation drive coupling;  
   a translation coupling assembly comprising: 
 a translation gear;  
 a translation drive coupling;  
   a thumbwheel rotation assembly comprising: 
 a port drive coupling;  
 a first port gear;  
 a second port gear;  
 a knob post;  
   an electrical cable strain relief;    a clamping plate assembly comprising: 
 a rotational bevel gear;  
 a translational bevel gear;  
 a rotation shaft;  
 a translation shaft;  
   an encoder assembly comprising: 
 a first bearing assembly comprising: 
 a bearing;  
 an encoder;  
 
   a flex relief.    
     
     
         5 . The transmission assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a gear adapter with and elongated adapter slot operatively connected to said rotation bevel gear.