Device for Biopsy of Tumors

Abstract

A device and method of use for securing and coring of tumors within the body during a biopsy of the tumor, specifically breast tumors. An adhesion probe for securing the tumor is described. The probe secures the tumor by piercing the tumor and providing a coolant to the distal tip to cool the tip. The cooled tip adheres to the tumor. A coring instrument adapted for cutting a core sample of the tumor is described. The instrument is provided with a cannula that can cut a core sample of the tumor. The instrument is adapted for use with the probe with the probe fitting within the cannula. The instrument can be used in conjunction with the probe to secure and core a sample of the tumor for biopsy.

1 . A system for securing a mass within the breast of a human patient, said system comprising:
 an adhesion probe comprising:
 a rigid tube adapted for insertion into the body of the patient, said rigid tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal segment, and a distal segment, said proximal segment having a larger outer diameter than the distal segment; 
 said distal segment having a sharp distal tip adapted for piercing the mass; 
   a coring mechanism adapted for use with the adhesion probe, said coring mechanism having a distal end and proximal end, said coring mechanism comprising:
 a cannula adapted for insertion into the body of the patient, said cannula having lumen extending through the cannula and defining a proximal opening and a distal opening in the cannula; 
 a cannula translating means operably connected to the cannula; 
 a cannula rotating means operably connected to the cannula; 
   a high pressure gas supply tube for delivering a coolant to the distal end of the rigid tube, said gas supply tube being disposed within the rigid tube, extending to the distal end of the rigid tube, and terminating in an orifice at the distal end of the rigid tube, thereby forming an annular lumen between the inner surface of the rigid tube and the outer surface of the gas supply tube, through the annular lumen, and then be exhausted outside the body of the patient; and   a housing encasing the cannula translating means and the cannula rotating means, said housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula extending from within said housing and out through the distal end of said housing;   wherein said adhesion probe is fitted through the lumen of the cannula;   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula also has a straight cut distal edge. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a canister of coolant gas operably attached to the gas supply tube, said canister also disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cannula translating means comprises:
 a cylinder having a chamber, said cylinder having a proximal end and a distal end; 
 a piston disposed within the chamber of the cylinder, said piston being capable of longitudinal translation along the chamber of the cylinder, said piston having a bore sized to fixedly receive the cannula; 
 wherein, in a retracted position, the piston is positioned at the proximal end of the cylinder, and the distal segment of the adhesion probe extends from the distal opening of the cannula; and 
 wherein, in an extended position, the piston is positioned at the distal end of the cylinder, and the distal opening of the cannula is extended over the distal segment of the adhesion probe; 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the cannula rotating means comprises:
 a lead screw disposed within the cylinder, said screw having a first end and a second end, said lead screw having a lumen extending through said screw and defining openings at first and second ends, said lumen sized to fixedly receive the cannula, said first end attached to the piston with said lumen communicating with the bore of the piston, said lead screw being capable of translating longitudinally along the chamber of the cylinder; 
 a lead screw nut disposed at the distal end of the cylinder, said lead screw nut operably connected to the lead screw; 
 wherein the cannula is attached to the lead screw through the lumen of the lead screw; 
 wherein the cannula is attached to the lead screw through the lumen of the lead screw; 
 wherein longitudinal translation of the piston along the chamber of the cylinder is translated to the lead screw; 
 wherein when the lead screw longitudinally translates, said lead screw rotates under operation of the lead screw nut, said rotation of the lead screw translated to the cannula to rotate said cannula. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said gas supply tube is sized relative to the rigid tube such that, when coolant is supplied to the rigid tube at a pressure within a predetermined pressure range, cooling of the distal end of the rigid tube is limited to the range of 0° C. to −60° C., whereby cells in the mass are adhered to the rigid tube without ablating the cells.