Biopsy Device

Abstract

A biopsy device such as a core sampling biopsy device compatible with use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment by being driven by either a pneumatic rotary motor or a piezoelectric drive motor is disclosed. The core sampling biopsy device obtains a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port. The inner cutter may be advanced in the cutter lumen past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample.

1 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 a piercing tube having an aperture proximate to a distal end thereof for receiving prolapsed tissue;   a cutter tube longitudinally translatable within the piercing tube;   a cutter drive assembly operatively configured to distally translate the cutter tube in proportion to a predetermined number of rotations of the cutter tube across the aperture severing received prolapsed tissue; and   a nonferrous rotary motor coupled to an input to the cutter drive assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the nonferrous rotary motor comprises a hydraulic rotary motor. 
     
     
         3 . The biopsy device of  claim 2 , wherein the hydraulic rotary motor comprises a pneumatic rotary motor. 
     
     
         4 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , further comprises a vacuum assist assembly selectively communicated to the cutter tube to effect prolapse of tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The biopsy device of  claim 4 , further comprising a vacuum lumen communicating between a distal end of the cutter tube and the vacuum assist assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the nonferrous rotary motor comprises a piezoelectric rotary motor. 
     
     
         7 . The biopsy device of  claim 6 , further comprising a flexible drive shaft coupling the piezoelectric rotary motor to the cutter drive assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter drive assembly further comprises a single-input to dual-output gearbox assembly connected between a translation shaft and a rotation drive shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The biopsy device of  claim 8 , wherein the cutter drive assembly further comprises a translation carriage coupled between the translation shaft and the cutter tube and a rotation carriage coupled between the rotation drive shaft and the cutter tube. 
     
     
         10 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 a piercing tube having an aperture proximate to a distal end thereof for receiving prolapsed tissue;   a cutter tube longitudinally translatable within the piercing tube;   a cutter drive assembly operatively configured to distally translate the cutter tube in proportion to a predetermined number of rotations of the cutter tube across the aperture severing received prolapsed tissue; and   a hydraulic rotary motor coupled to an input to the cutter drive assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The biopsy device of  claim 10 , further comprises a vacuum assist assembly selectively communicated to the cutter tube to effect prolapse of tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The biopsy device of  claim 11 , further comprising a vacuum lumen communicating between a distal end of the cutter tube and the vacuum assist assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The biopsy device of  claim 10 , wherein the cutter drive assembly further comprises a single-input to dual-output gearbox assembly connected between a translation shaft and a rotation drive shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The biopsy device of  claim 13 , wherein the cutter drive assembly further comprises a translation carriage coupled between the translation shaft and the cutter tube and a rotation carriage coupled between the rotation drive shaft and the cutter tube. 
     
     
         15 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 a piercing tube having an aperture proximate to a distal end thereof for receiving prolapsed tissue;   a cutter tube longitudinally translatable within the piercing tube;   a cutter drive assembly operatively configured to distally translate the cutter tube in proportion to a predetermined number of rotations of the cutter tube across the aperture severing received prolapsed tissue; and   a piezoelectric rotary motor coupled to an input to the cutter drive assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The biopsy device of  claim 15 , further comprises a vacuum assist assembly selectively communicated to the cutter tube to effect prolapse of tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The biopsy device of  claim 16 , further comprising a vacuum lumen communicating between a distal end of the cutter tube and the vacuum assist assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The biopsy device of  claim 6 , further comprising a flexible drive shaft coupling the piezoelectric rotary motor to the cutter drive assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The biopsy device of  claim 15 , wherein the cutter drive assembly further comprises a single-input to dual-output gearbox assembly connected between the piezoelectric rotary motor and translation and rotation drive shafts. 
     
     
         20 . The biopsy device of  claim 19 , wherein the cutter drive assembly further comprises a translation carriage coupled between the translation shaft and the cutter tube and a rotation carriage coupled between the rotation drive shaft and the cutter tube.