Fine needle biopsy with adaptor

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a biopsy needle system, an adaptor for the system, and a method of using the system. The system includes an outer needle, an inner needle, and an adaptor. The outer needle has a longitudinal passage, a length, and a hub on the proximal end of the outer needle. The inner needle has a longitudinal passage and a length that is greater than the length of the outer needle. The inner needle is configured to fit within the longitudinal passage of the outer needle. The adaptor is configured to fit within the hub of the outer needle and includes a tapered longitudinal passage that guides a distal end of the inner needle through the adaptor and into the longitudinal passage of the outer needle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biopsy needle system, the system comprising:
 an outer needle having a first longitudinal passage, a first length, and a hub on the proximal end of the outer needle;   an inner needle having a second longitudinal passage and a second length greater than the first length, wherein the inner needle is configured to fit within the first longitudinal passage of the outer needle; and   an adaptor configured to fit within the hub of the outer needle and including a tapered longitudinal passage to guide a distal end of the inner needle through the adaptor and into the first longitudinal passage of the outer needle.   
     
     
         2 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 1  wherein the tapered longitudinal passage of the adaptor is an elongated funnel shape. 
     
     
         3 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 1  wherein the adaptor includes a plastic core containing the tapered longitudinal passage, and an outer elastomeric layer to create a tight fit within the hub of the outer needle. 
     
     
         4 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 1  wherein the hub of the outer needle is a male luer fitting. 
     
     
         5 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 4  wherein the adaptor includes a female luer fitting to attach to the male luer fitting of the outer needle. 
     
     
         6 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 1  wherein the inner needle is a 25 gauge needle. 
     
     
         7 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 6  wherein the outer needle is a 19 gauge needle. 
     
     
         8 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 6  wherein the outer needle is a 20 gauge needle. 
     
     
         9 . A biopsy needle system as in  claim 1  wherein the outer needle is 1 inch in length and the inner needle is 2.5 inches in length. 
     
     
         10 . An adaptor for a biopsy needle system having an outer needle and an inner needle configured to fit within a longitudinal passage of the outer needle, the adaptor comprising:
 a cylindrical body configured to fit within a hub of the outer needle and including a tapered longitudinal passage to guide a distal end of the inner needle through the cylindrical body and into the longitudinal passage of the outer needle.   
     
     
         11 . An adaptor as in  claim 10  wherein the tapered longitudinal passage of the cylindrical body is an elongated funnel shape. 
     
     
         12 . An adaptor as in  claim 10  wherein the cylindrical body includes a plastic core containing the tapered longitudinal passage, and an outer elastomeric layer to create a tight fit within the hub of the outer needle. 
     
     
         13 . An adaptor as in  claim 10  wherein the hub of the outer needle is a male luer fitting. 
     
     
         14 . An adaptor as in  claim 13  wherein the cylindrical body includes a female luer fitting to attach to the male luer fitting of the outer needle.