Surgical biopsy system with remote control for selecting an operational mode

Abstract

A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A biopsy system comprising:
 (a) a handpiece comprising a probe configured for insertion into a tissue mass and a cutter movable with respect to the probe, wherein the handpiece further comprises a user interface comprising a manually operable user input feature; and   (b) a display operably associated with the handpiece, wherein at least a portion of the display is operable to depict a position of the cutter at multiple positions, wherein the display comprises at least one icon configured to depict activation of the manually operable user input feature of the user interface of the handpiece.   
     
     
         32 . The biopsy system of  claim 31  wherein the handpiece is operable in a first mode for moving the cutter to sever a tissue sample, and wherein the handpiece is operable in a second mode for positioning the cutter independently of severing a tissue sample. 
     
     
         33 . The biopsy system of  claim 32  wherein the display is operable to provide user selection of the first mode and the second mode. 
     
     
         34 . The biopsy system of  claim 32  wherein the handpiece is operable in the second mode for moving the cutter in a forward direction. 
     
     
         35 . The biopsy system of  claim 32  wherein the handpiece is operable in the second mode for moving the cutter in a reverse direction. 
     
     
         36 . The biopsy system of  claim 32  wherein the handpiece is operable in the second mode for moving the cutter in either a forward or reverse direction. 
     
     
         37 . The biopsy system of  claim 31  wherein the display is separate from the handpiece. 
     
     
         38 . A biopsy system comprising:
 (a) a biopsy device comprising a probe configured for insertion into a tissue mass and a cutter movable with respect to the probe for severing a tissue sample received by the probe;   (b) a display separate from the biopsy device, wherein the display is operable to toggle between an options screen and at least one operations screen, wherein the at least one operations screen comprises at least one textual message region, wherein the options screen is configured to receive a plurality of user inputs regarding the biopsy device,—wherein the display is operable to receive user input to select an operational mode of the biopsy device, wherein the display is operable to display variable positions of the cutter; and   (c) a source of vacuum operatively associated with the biopsy device;   wherein the biopsy device is operable in a sampling mode;   wherein the biopsy device is operable in a separate, second mode for providing vacuum to at least one of the cutter and the probe.   
     
     
         39 . The biopsy system of  claim 38  wherein the biopsy device is operable in an operational mode for providing vacuum through the cutter. 
     
     
         40 . The biopsy system of  claim 38  wherein the biopsy device is operable in an operational mode for providing pulsed vacuum through the cutter. 
     
     
         41 . A method of operating a biopsy device, the method comprising:
 (a) inserting a probe into a tissue mass;   (b) positioning a cutter relative to the probe without severing tissue;   (c) providing vacuum through at least one of the probe and the cutter;   (d) moving the cutter relative to the probe to sever tissue received by the probe;   (e) displaying the position of the cutter relative to the probe at multiple points; and   (f) receiving a manual input through a manually operable user input feature of a handpiece of the biopsy device;   (g) displaying activation of the manually operable user input feature of the handpiece of the biopsy device.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of pulsing vacuum through at least one of the cutter and the probe. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of displaying the position of the cutter. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of displaying the position of the cutter in real time. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of displaying the position of the cutter on a display spaced from the cutter. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of repeatedly opening and closing vacuum communication to at least one of the probe and cutter. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of providing pulsed vacuum through the cutter. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of translating the cutter in at least one of a forward or reverse direction to position the cutter prior to the step of moving the cutter to sever tissue. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of translating the cutter in both a forward and reverse direction relative to the probe prior to the step of severing tissue.