Surgical device for the collection of soft tissue

Abstract

A handheld biopsy device is provided for the collection of soft tissue samples from a surgical patient. In a preferred embodiment, the biopsy device comprises a handpiece, a fluid collection system, and a power transmission source. The handpiece is configured for grasping by a single hand, and being independentyl manipulatable by hand for movement of the instrument toward and away from the patient. An elongated piercer extends from the distal end of the handpiece. The piercer has a sharpened distal end for entering the tissue and a port located proximal to the sharpened distal end for receiving a portion of tissue mass. An elongated cutter is disposed coaxially relative to a piercer lumen of the piercer. A distal blade of the cutter slides distally past the port of the piercer to severe the tissue portion drawn into the port by vacuum. The cutter is retracted to a most proximal position for removal of the tissue portion from a cutter lumen of the cutter. The handpiece further comprises a holster for detachably connecting a cutter rotational transmission and a cutter axial transmission to the power transmission source.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A biopsy device for the collection and retrieval of at least one soft tissue portion from a surgical patient, said biopsy device comprising:
 a handpiece configured for grasping by a single hand of a user and being independently manipulatable by the single hand of the user without an external support, the handpiece comprising a probe assembly and a receiver, wherein the probe assembly is detachably connected to the receiver;   the probe assembly comprising: an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen, a closed distal tip configured for piercing tissue, and a tissue receiving port disposed proximal of the closed distal tip and communicating with the piercer lumen;   an elongated cutter having a cutting distal end, a proximal end, and a cutter lumen therethrough, the cutter being disposed coaxially and slidably relative to the piercer;   a cutter transmission disposed within the handpiece and operationally connected to the elongated cutter for effecting movement of the cutter; and   wherein the handpiece includes a first electrically driven motor and said first motor is operationally engaged with said cutter transmission to effect rotation of said cutter.   
     
     
         14 . The biopsy device of  claim 13  further comprising a tubular tissue remover having a proximal end and a distal end, said remover disposed in said cutter lumen of said cutter and having a strainer on the distal end thereof and disposed proximally of said port, said strainer for obstructing said cutter lumen so that the portion of cut tissue severed by said cutter is prevented from moving proximally through said cutter lumen. 
     
     
         15 . The biopsy device of  claim 14  further comprising a first vacuum tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end of said first vacuum tube is connected in fluid communication to the proximal end of said tubular tissue remover. 
     
     
         16 . The biopsy device of  claim 13  further comprising a vacuum tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and a portion of said vacuum tube is contained within said handpiece, wherein the proximal end of said vacuum tube is releasably attached to a fluid collection system, and the distal end of said vacuum tube is in fluid communication with said piercer lumen. 
     
     
         17 . The biopsy device of  claim 16  wherein said vacuum tube is made of a material which permits visualization of the flow of fluid therethrough. 
     
     
         18 . The biopsy device of  claim 13  wherein the receiver comprises a holster. 
     
     
         19 . The biopsy device of  claim 13  wherein the receiver comprises a holster, and the holster includes a control cord for operatively connecting the handpiece to a control unit. 
     
     
         20 . The biopsy device of  claim 13  wherein the handpiece includes a second electrically driven motor and said second motor is operationally engaged with said cutter transmission to effect axial movement of said cutter. 
     
     
         21 . The biopsy device of  claim 13  wherein the handpiece has a tissue sampling surface for the retrieval of the portion of the cut tissue from within said cutter lumen of said biopsy device. 
     
     
         22 . A biopsy device for the collection and retrieval of at least one soft tissue portion from a surgical patient, said biopsy device comprising:
 a handpiece configured for grasping by a single hand of a user and being independently manipulatable by the single hand of the user without an external support, the handpiece comprising a probe assembly and a receiver, wherein the probe assembly is detachably connected to the receiver;   the probe assembly comprising: an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen, a closed distal tip configured for piercing tissue, and a tissue receiving port disposed proximal of the closed distal tip and communicating with the piercer lumen;   an elongated cutter having a cutting distal end, a proximal end, and a cutter lumen therethrough, the cutter being disposed coaxially and slidably relative to the piercer;   a cutter transmission disposed within the handpiece and operationally connected to the elongated cutter for effecting translational movement of the cutter.