Surgical biopsy device having a flexible cutter

Abstract

A biopsy probe for the collection of at least one soft tissue sample from a surgical patient. The biopsy probe has a frame and an elongated piercing element having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the frame and a sharpened distal end for piercing tissue. The piercing element has a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The probe also includes an elongated cutter disposed coaxially and slidably within the lumen of the piercing element. The cutter has a distal end for cutting a tissue sample, a proximal end and a body connecting the distal and proximal ends, wherein at least a portion of the body comprises a flexible member.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A biopsy device comprising: 
 an elongated piercing element having a closed distal tip, a proximal end, and a lumen extending at least partially through the elongated piercing element; and    an elongated cutter having a first part disposed within the lumen of the elongated piercing element, and a second part of the cutter extending proximally from the proximal end of the elongated piercing element, wherein at least a portion of the second part of the cutter extending proximally from the elongated piercing element is flexible for taking on a curved shape.    
     
     
         23 . The biopsy device of  claim 22  wherein at least a portion of the second part of the cutter is disposed within a curved passageway.  
     
     
         24 . The biopsy device of  claim 22  wherein a portion of the elongated cutter extends along an arcuate path.  
     
     
         25 . The biopsy device of  claim 22  wherein a portion of the elongated cutter follows a nonlinear path through an arc of at least about  90  degrees.  
     
     
         26 . The biopsy device of  claim 22 , wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the elongated piercing element.  
     
     
         27 . The biopsy device of  claim 22  wherein the elongated piercing element comprises a lateral tissue receiving port, wherein the elongated cutter has a distal cutting end supported for generally straight line travel past the lateral tissue receiving port, and wherein the elongated cutter takes on a nonlinear curvature proximal of the lateral tissue receiving port.  
     
     
         28 . A medical device for obtaining a tissue sample, the device comprising: 
 a generally straight, elongated piercing element having a proximal end, a closed distal end with a piercing tip for piercing tissue, a generally straight lumen, and a lateral tissue receiving port spaced proximally of the closed distal end and communicating with the lumen;    an elongated cutter having a proximal end, a distal end for cutting tissue, and a body connecting the distal and proximal ends, wherein the distal end of the cutter is positionable within the lumen of the piercing element, wherein the cutter extends proximally from the lumen of the piercing element, and wherein at least a portion of the cutter extending proximally from the lumen of the piercing element is flexible and capable of taking on a curved shape; and    a member disposed proximally of the proximal end of the elongated piercing element, the member having a curved passageway therein for receiving a flexible portion of the cutter.