Biopsy Apparatus

Abstract

A disposable tissue removal device comprises a “tube within a tube” cutting element mounted to a handpiece. The inner cannula of the cutting element defines an inner lumen and terminates in an inwardly beveled, razor-sharp cutting edge. The inner cannula is driven by both a rotary motor and a reciprocating motor. At the end of its stroke, the inner cannula makes contact with the cutting board to completely sever the tissue. An aspiration vacuum is applied to the inner lumen to aspirate excised tissue through the inner cannula and into a collection trap that is removably mounted to the handpiece. The rotary and reciprocating motors are hydraulically powered through a foot pedal operated hydraulic circuit. The entire biopsy device is configured to be disposable. In one embodiment, the cutting element includes a cannula hub that can be connected to a fluid source, such as a valve-controlled saline bag.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A biopsy device comprising: a cannula with an orifice, the cannula being configured for insertion into a body to a point such that the orifice is adjacent to a tissue mass to be biopsied; and a vaned pneumatic rotary motor capable of continual rotation, the rotary motor having a hollow shaft disposed within the cannula, the pneumatic motor shaft having a cutter end configured to rotate relative to the orifice to selectively cut tissue from the mass; wherein the tissue cut from the mass is drawn through the hollow shaft and through the pneumatic rotary motor during operation of the biopsy device. 
     
     
         9 . The biopsy device of  claim 8 , wherein the cannula defines an axis and the cutter end, the pneumatic rotary motor shaft, and the cannula are coaxially aligned. 
     
     
         10 . The biopsy device of  claim 9 , wherein the cutter rotates about the axis. 
     
     
         11 . The biopsy device of  claim 8 , further comprising a pneumatic circuit coupled to the rotary pneumatic motor, the pneumatic circuit providing suction to the shaft for drawing the cut tissue through the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The biopsy device of  claim 11 , wherein the pneumatic circuit is further configured to provide compressed air to the pneumatic rotary motor. 
     
     
         13 . The biopsy device of  claim 8 , further comprising a pneumatic switch configured to permit an operator to selectively operate the pneumatic rotary motor by actuating the pneumatic switch. 
     
     
         14 . The biopsy device of  claim 8 , wherein the biopsy device is substantially free of magnetically sensitive objects such that it can be operated in conjunction with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging device. 
     
     
         15 . A medical device comprising: a biopsy device having a six-vane rotary motor, the biopsy device being configured to selectively cut tissue from a body during a cutting cycle; a pneumatic circuit coupled to the biopsy device for controlling the operation of the biopsy device; and a switch for activating the cutting cycle of the biopsy device, the switch and biopsy device being composed of substantially non-magnetic materials such that the biopsy device may be operated in conjunction with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging device. 
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the biopsy device comprises a pneumatic motor. 
     
     
         17 . A medical device comprising: a biopsy device having a six-vane rotary motor, the biopsy device being configured to selectively cut tissue from a body; a pneumatic circuit coupled to the biopsy device for controlling the operation of a rotary motor housed in the biopsy device; a housing for the pneumatic circuit; a vacuum port coupled to the housing and having a vacuum conduit leading to the biopsy device; and a compressed air port coupled to the housing and having a compressed air conduit leading to the biopsy device. 
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 17 , further comprising a pinch valve coupled to the housing, the pinch valve being configured to control pneumatic flow through the vacuum conduit. 
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 17 , further comprising an indicator coupled to the housing, the indicator signaling when the pneumatic circuit is operational to control the biopsy device. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 19 , wherein the indicator is pneumatically controlled by the pneumatic circuit. 
     
     
         21 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A pneumatic circuit comprising:
 a cabinet;   a compressor housed inside the cabinet, the compressor being configured to compress a gas;   a biopsy device in pneumatic communication with the compressor, the biopsy device capable of being actuated by the compressed gas from the compressor;   an exit port in pneumatic communication with the compressor and positioned inside the cabinet, wherein moisture from the pneumatic circuit passes through the exit port; and   a fan configured to produce a flow of air inside the cabinet, the flow of air facilitating the evaporation of the moisture from the cabinet.   
     
     
         42 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 41 , further comprising a media positioned to receive moisture from the exit port. 
     
     
         43 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 42 , wherein the media is a permeable material configured to absorb moisture from the pneumatic circuit. 
     
     
         44 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 42 , wherein the media is absorbent. 
     
     
         45 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 42 , wherein the media is an absorber. 
     
     
         46 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 42 , wherein the media and pneumatic circuit are housed inside the cabinet, and the media facilitates the evaporation of liquid within the cabinet. 
     
     
         47 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 41 , wherein the biopsy device comprises a pneumatic motor for creating rotational motion of a cutter blade about an axis. 
     
     
         48 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 41 , wherein the fan is positioned on an exterior wall of the cabinet. 
     
     
         49 . A method of removing moisture from a cabinet housing a pneumatic circuit, wherein the pneumatic circuit is configured to operate a medical device, the method comprising:
 using a compressor to compress air;   intermittently operating the medical device while the compressor is compressing air;   releasing moisture from the pneumatic circuit through an exit port; and   using a fan to direct a flow of air within the cabinet.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of using a media to temporarily hold the moisture. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising the step of directing the flow of air over the media. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising the step of evaporating moisture from the media. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the medical device is a biopsy device. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of dissipating heat from the pneumatic circuit. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the exit port is configured to release compressed air when the medical device is not in operation. 
     
     
         56 . A pneumatic circuit comprising:
 a compressor for compressing a gas;   a biopsy device in pneumatic communication with the compressor, the biopsy device capable of being actuated by the compressed gas from the compressor;   a media configured to absorb moisture from pneumatic circuit; and   a fan configured to direct a flow of air over the media.   
     
     
         57 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 56 , wherein the media is a permeable material configured to absorb moisture from the pneumatic circuit. 
     
     
         58 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 57 , wherein the media is absorbent. 
     
     
         59 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 56 , wherein the fan facilitates the evaporation of moisture from the media. 
     
     
         60 . The pneumatic circuit of  claim 56 , wherein the media and pneumatic circuit are housed in a cabinet, and the fan facilitates the evaporation of liquid within the cabinet.