Dual Action Aspiration Biopsy Needle

Abstract

A dual action biopsy needle scrapes tissue of cellular thickness from a lesion during proximal-to-distal travel of the needle along its longitudinal axis of symmetry. A first sharp edge, formed by a beveled distal end of the needle, scrapes tissue during proximal-to-distal travel of the needle. A transversely disposed slot formed in the needle near the first sharp edge provides a second sharp edge. A bottom of the slot is proximal to the opening of the slot. The second sharp edge also scrapes tissue during proximal-to-distal travel of the needle. The second sharp edge is coincident with an exterior surface of the needle. A vacuum pulls the scraped cellular material into the lumen of the needle.

1 . An aspiration biopsy needle, comprising: a needle of elongate, hollow construction having a proximal end and a beveled distal end; said needle having a uniform diameter along an extent of said needle; said beveled distal end being open and therefore forming a first sharp edge adapted to scrape cellular material when said needle is inserted into tissue, said needle being displaced from a proximal to a distal position during insertion; a slot formed in said needle near said beveled distal end; said slot being transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of said needle; said slot also being angled relative to a transverse axis of said needle such that a bottom of said slot is positioned proximal to an opening of said slot; said opening of said slot being in open communication with an exterior surface of said needle; said slot including a second sharp edge adapted to scrape tissue of cellular size when said needle is displaced from a proximal position to a distal position; said second sharp edge being flush with said external surface of said needle; means for communicating a vacuum to said proximal end of said needle so that cellular material removed by said first sharp edge and said second sharp edge during proximal-to-distal travel of said needle is pulled into a lumen of said needle; and said needle being configured to deposit said cellular material from said lumen onto a slide to be stained and subjected to microscopic inspection in the absence of any need to mechanically slice said cellular material.  
   
   
       2 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein said slot has a circumferential extent of about one half the circumference of said needle.  
   
   
       3 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein a material to which cellular material clings is applied to said first and second sharp edges.  
   
   
       4 . An aspiration biopsy needle, comprising: a needle of elongate, hollow construction having a proximal end and a beveled distal end; said needle having a uniform diameter along an extent of said needle; said beveled distal end being open and therefore forming a first sharp edge adapted to scrape cellular material when said needle is inserted into tissue, said needle being displaced from a proximal to a distal position during insertion; a slot formed in said needle near said beveled distal end; said slot being transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of said needle; said slot also being angled relative to a transverse axis of said needle such that a bottom of said slot is positioned proximal to an opening of said slot; said opening of said slot being in open communication with an exterior surface of said needle; said slot including a second sharp edge adapted to scrape tissue of cellular size when said needle is displaced from a proximal position to a distal position; said second sharp edge being elevated relative to said external surface of said needle; means for communicating a vacuum to said proximal end of said needle so that cellular material removed by said first sharp edge and said elevated second sharp edge during proximal-to-distal travel of said needle is pulled into a lumen of said needle; and said needle being configured to deposit said cellular material from said lumen onto a slide to be stained and subjected to microscopic inspection in the absence of any need to mechanically slice said cellular material.  
   
   
       5 . The needle of  claim 4 , wherein said slot has a circumferential extent of about one half the circumference of said needle.  
   
   
       6 . The needle of  claim 4 , wherein a material to which cellular material clings is applied to said first and second sharp edges.  
   
   
       7 . An aspiration biopsy needle, comprising: a needle of elongate, hollow construction having a proximal end and a beveled distal end; said needle having a uniform diameter along an extent of said needle; said beveled distal end being open and therefore forming a first sharp edge adapted to scrape cellular material when said needle is inserted into tissue, said needle being displaced from a proximal to a distal position during insertion; a slot formed in said needle near said beveled distal end; said slot being transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of said needle; said slot also being angled relative to a transverse axis of said needle such that a bottom of said slot is positioned proximal to an opening of said slot; said opening of said slot being in open communication with an exterior surface of said needle; said slot including a second sharp edge adapted to scrape tissue of cellular size when said needle is displaced from a proximal position to a distal position; said second sharp edge being recessed relative to said external surface of said needle; means for communicating a vacuum to said proximal end of said needle so that cellular material removed by said first sharp edge and said recessed second sharp edge during proximal-to-distal travel of said needle is pulled into a lumen of said needle; and said needle being configured to deposit said cellular material from said lumen onto a slide to be stained and subjected to microscopic inspection in the absence of any need to mechanically slice said cellular material.  
   
   
       8 . The needle of  claim 7 , wherein said slot has a circumferential extent of about one half the circumference of said needle.  
   
   
       9 . The needle of  claim 7 , wherein a material to which cellular material clings is applied to said first and second sharp edges.