Biopsy device having endoscope

Abstract

A biopsy device having an endoscope comprises a biopsy instrument, suitable for collecting at least one tissue sample from a body lumen, such as a mammary duct, and a cutter introducer sized for receiving the biopsy instrument and introducing the biopsy instrument into a mammary duct to retrieve a tissue sample therefrom.

1 . A biopsy device suitable for collection of a tissue sample from a biopsy site in a body lumen, the biopsy device comprising: 
 a cutter introducer comprising an elongated, hollow sheath, the sheath rotatable about a longitudinal axis having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, wherein the distal end portion defines an aperture for receiving a tissue mass, and a hollow handle about the proximal end portion of the sheath;    a biopsy instrument comprising an elongated cutter for severing the tissue sample, received through the aperture, the cutter element being sized for removable insertion in the cutter introducer; and    an endoscope, the endoscope being sized for removable insertion in the elongated cutter and having a distal end portion movably positionable proximate the aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter is motor driven and the motor is actuated by a switch.  
   
   
       3 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , further comprising an ejector assembly, the ejector assembly including the endoscope which is suitable for ejecting the tissue sample from the cutter.  
   
   
       4 . The biopsy device of  claim 3 , wherein the ejector assembly further comprises a detent member to restrict axial movement of the ejector assembly relative to the biopsy instrument.  
   
   
       5 . The biopsy device of  claim 4 , wherein the detent member comprises a rotatable hub.  
   
   
       6 . The biopsy device of  claim 4 , wherein the detent member comprises a rocker arm.  
   
   
       7 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath further includes spaced depth indicators thereon.  
   
   
       8 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , further comprising a port member suitable for permitting the introduction of a solution to the biopsy site.  
   
   
       9 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises a hook portion.  
   
   
       10 . The biopsy device of  claim 9 , wherein sheath has an inner diameter and the hook portion has a hook depth in a range of ⅓ to ½ the inner diameter.  
   
   
       11 . The biopsy device of  claim 9 , wherein the aperture has a length greater than 0.197 inches (0.5 centimeter).  
   
   
       12 . A biopsy device suitable for collection of at least one tissue sample from a biopsy site in a lumen, the biopsy device comprising: 
 a holster;    a housing reciprocably mounted with the holster;    a cutter drive motor in the housing;    a power source operably associated with the cutter drive motor;    a switch operably associated with the motor and the power source for energizing the cutter drive motor;    a hollow cutter driven by the cutter drive motor and rotatably mounted in the housing;    an endoscope removably mounted to the housing and slidably receivable within the hollow cutter; and    a coupling mount on the holster for removably receiving a biopsy introducer, the introducer comprising an elongated, apertured hollow sheath having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, wherein the distal end portion defines an aperture for receiving the tissue sample.    
   
   
       13 . The biopsy device of  claim 12 , wherein the power source is situated within the housing.  
   
   
       14 . The biopsy device of  claim 13 , wherein the power source is a battery.  
   
   
       15 . The biopsy device of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling mount is a boss terminating in an distal, radially outwardly extending flange.  
   
   
       16 . The biopsy device of  claim 12 , further comprising an ejector assembly, the ejector assembly including the endoscope which is suitable for ejecting the tissue sample from the cutter.  
   
   
       17 . The biopsy device of  claim 16 , wherein the ejector assembly comprises a detent member to restrict axial movement of the ejector assembly relative to the housing.  
   
   
       18 . The biopsy device of  claim 17 , wherein the detent member comprises a rotatable hub.  
   
   
       19 . The biopsy device of  claim 17 , wherein the detent member comprises a rocker arm.  
   
   
       20 . A biopsy device suitable for collection of at least one tissue sample from a biopsy site in a lumen, the biopsy device comprising an introducer and an instrument: 
 the instrument further comprising: 
 a holster and a housing reciprocably mounted to the holster;  
 a cutter drive motor in the housing;  
 a power source operably associated with the cutter drive motor, the cutter drive motor and power source being operatively connected to a switch for energizing the cutter drive motor;  
 an elongated hollow cutter driven by the cutter drive motor and rotatably mounted in the housing;  
 an ejector assembly suitable for ejecting the tissue sample from the cutter, the ejector assembly including an endoscope piston removably mounted with the housing and slidably receivable within the hollow cutter; and  
 a coupling mount on the holster for removably receiving the introducer;  
   the introducer further comprising an elongated, hollow sheath having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, wherein the distal end portion defines an aperture for receiving the tissue sample, the aperture comprising a hook portion, the sheath suitable for removably receiving the cutter therein.    
   
   
       21 . The biopsy device of  claim 20 , wherein sheath has an inner diameter and the hook portion has a hook depth in a range of ⅓ to ½ the inner diameter.  
   
   
       22 . The biopsy device of  claim 20 , wherein the aperture has a length greater than 0.197 inches (0.5 centimeter).