Mri compatible biopsy device with detachable probe

Abstract

A biopsy device comprises a probe assembly and an obturator. The probe assembly comprises a cannula having a closed distal end configured to penetrate tissue, an open proximal end, a first lumen in fluid communication with the open proximal end, and a side aperture located proximal to the closed distal end. The side aperture is in fluid communication with the first lumen. The obturator is removably insertable in the first lumen through the open proximal end. The obturator is configured to substantially block the side aperture when the obturator is inserted in the first lumen. The probe assembly may be inserted in a patient's tissue (e.g., breast) with the obturator disposed in the cannula to block the side aperture. The obturator may then be removed, and a cutter may be advanced through the cannula to sever tissue protruding through the side aperture.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a probe assembly comprising an elongated cannula, wherein the cannula is insertable into tissue, the cannula comprising:
 (i) a distal end, 
 (ii) an open proximal end, 
 (iii) a lumen in fluid communication with the open proximal end, 
 (iv) a side aperture located proximal to the closed distal end, wherein the side aperture is in fluid communication with the lumen, and 
 (v) a thumbwheel, wherein the thumbwheel is aligned with the open proximal end, wherein the thumbwheel is operable to rotate the cannula; 
   (b) an obturator, wherein the obturator is removably insertable in the lumen through the open proximal end, wherein the obturator is configured to substantially block the side aperture when the obturator is inserted in the lumen, wherein the obturator is configured to close the open proximal end of the cannula when the obturator is inserted in the lumen, wherein the obturator is operable to be inserted in the lumen when the cannula is inserted into tissue, wherein the obturator is operable to be removed from the lumen after the cannula is inserted into tissue and while the cannula remains inserted into tissue; and   (c) a handpiece, wherein a distal end of the handpiece is configured to be removably coupled with a proximal end of the probe assembly, wherein the handpiece is configured to couple to the proximal end of the probe assembly when the obturator is removed from the lumen.   
     
     
         22 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the cannula further comprises a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen, wherein the second lumen is further in fluid communication with the open proximal end. 
     
     
         23 . The biopsy device of  claim 22 , wherein a distal portion of the obturator includes through holes. 
     
     
         24 . The biopsy device of  claim 22 , wherein the cannula further comprises an inner longitudinal wall extending proximally from the closed distal end of the cannula, wherein the longitudinal wall separates at least part of the first lumen from at least part of the second lumen. 
     
     
         25 . The biopsy device of  claim 24 , wherein the first lumen has a length, wherein the longitudinal wall has a length, wherein the length of the longitudinal wall is less than the length of the first lumen. 
     
     
         26 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the obturator is further configured to substantially seal the first lumen when the obturator is inserted in the first lumen. 
     
     
         27 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the handpiece comprises a locking device configured to selectively lock the handpiece to the probe assembly, wherein the locking device is further configured to prevent the handpiece from unlocking from the probe assembly when the cutter is disposed in the cannula. 
     
     
         28 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the handpiece further comprises a cutter, wherein the cutter is operable to translate within the first lumen when the body is attached to the probe assembly, wherein the cutter is configured to fully retract within the handpiece. 
     
     
         29 . The biopsy device of  claim 28 , further comprising a vacuum extraction system operable to selectively withdraw a piece of tissue severed by the cutter through the cannula. 
     
     
         30 . The biopsy device of  claim 21 , wherein the distal end of the cannula is closed. 
     
     
         31 . The biopsy device of  claim 30 , wherein the closed distal end of the cannula comprises a sharp tip. 
     
     
         32 . A biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a probe assembly comprising an elongated cannula, the cannula comprising:
 (i) a distal end, 
 (ii) an open proximal end comprising a thumbwheel fixedly secured to the open proximal end, 
 (iii) a lumen in fluid communication with the open proximal end, and 
 (iv) a side aperture located proximal to the distal end, wherein the side aperture is in fluid communication with the lumen; 
   (b) an obturator, wherein the obturator is removably insertable in the lumen through the open proximal end, wherein the obturator is configured to block the side aperture when the obturator is inserted in the lumen, wherein the obturator is configured to seal lumen when the obturator is inserted in the lumen; and   (c) a handpiece, wherein a distal end of the handpiece is configured to be removably coupled with a proximal end of the probe assembly when the obturator is removed, wherein the handpiece comprises a cutter, wherein the cutter is moveable relative to the handpiece.   
     
     
         33 . A method of performing a biopsy, the method comprising:
 (a) inserting an insertion assembly in a patient's tissue, wherein the insertion assembly is configured to penetrate the patient's tissue, the insertion assembly comprising:
 (i) a cannula having a side aperture formed in a sidewall of the cannula, and 
 (ii) an obturator slidably disposed in the cannula, wherein the obturator is positioned to block the side aperture; 
   (b) withdrawing the obturator from the cannula to unblock the side aperture, wherein the obturator is withdrawn from the cannula while the cannula remains inserted in the patient's tissue, such that tissue protrudes through the side aperture in response to the act of withdrawing the obturator from the cannula;   (c) advancing a cutter distally through the cannula to sever tissue protruding through the side aperture of the cannula; and   (d) communicating the severed tissue proximally through the cannula.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the act of inserting an insertion assembly in a patient's tissue comprises inserting the insertion assembly in a patient's breast. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising coupling a handpiece with the cannula, wherein the act of coupling a handpiece with the cannula is performed between the act of withdrawing the obturator from the cannula and the act of advancing a cutter distally through the cannula, wherein the cutter is advanced by the handpiece.