Biopsy needle assembly

Abstract

A biopsy needle assembly for excising a tissue specimen from a target tissue includes a mandrel with a core bed having an inner surface forming a projection for engaging the tissue specimen. One or more projections are located between the edges of the core bed. The projections are formed from the inner surface or extend from the inner surface. The mandrel moves within a cannula whereby the core bed is extended beyond the tip of the cannula into a target tissue. The projection engages the target tissue holding the tissues in place as the cannula is advanced over the core bed cutting the tissue and separating the tissue specimen within the core bed from the surrounding tissue.

Having thus described the disclosed subject matter, what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biopsy needle for excising a tissue specimen, the biopsy needle comprising:
 a first component, comprising:
 a body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end about a longitudinally-extending central axis, wherein the body forms a core bed adjacent the distal end for receiving a tissue specimen; 
 wherein the core bed forms a cavity with an inner surface extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, and laterally between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; and 
 wherein the inner surface forms a projection for engaging the tissue specimen. 
   
     
     
         2 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein the projection forms a ridge extending between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         3 . The needle of  claim 2 , comprising a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         4 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein the projection forms a ridge extending from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         5 . The needle of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of projections. 
     
     
         6 . The needle of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of projections are grouped adjacent the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The needle of  claim 5 , wherein:
 a first set of a plurality of projections is adjacent the first end;   a second set of a plurality of projections is adjacent the second end; and   a third set of a plurality of projections is disposed between the first set and second set.   
     
     
         8 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the inner surface defines an upwardly open lower cavity; and   the first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge form the upper edges of the lower cavity.   
     
     
         9 . The needle of  claim 8 , wherein the upwardly open cavity has a C-shaped transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The needle of  claim 8 , wherein the projection is below the central axis. 
     
     
         11 . The needle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second component, comprising:
 a tubular body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end forms a cutting face; and 
   wherein the inner component travels within the outer component.   
     
     
         12 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein the projection extends from the inner surface. 
     
     
         13 . A biopsy needle for excising a tissue specimen, the biopsy needle comprising:
 an inner component, comprising:
 a body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end about a longitudinally-extending central axis, wherein the body forms a core bed adjacent the distal end for receiving a tissue specimen; 
 wherein the core bed forms a cavity with an inner surface extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, and laterally between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; and 
 wherein the inner surface forms a ridge for engaging the tissue specimen; 
   an outer component, comprising:
 a tubular body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end forms a cutting face; and 
   wherein the inner component travels within the outer component.   
     
     
         14 . The needle of  claim 13 , wherein the inner component comprises a plurality of ridges grouped adjacent the first end. 
     
     
         15 . The needle of  claim 13 , wherein the inner surface defines an upwardly open lower cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The needle of  claim 13 , wherein the upwardly open cavity has a C-shaped transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . The needle of  claim 13 , wherein the ridge extends from the inner surface. 
     
     
         18 . The needle of  claim 13 , wherein the inner component comprises:
 a first set ridges adjacent the first end;   a second set of ridges adjacent the second end; and   a third set of ridges disposed between the first set and second set.   
     
     
         19 . A biopsy needle for excising a tissue specimen, the biopsy needle comprising:
 an inner component, comprising:
 a body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end about a longitudinally-extending central axis, wherein the body forms a core bed adjacent the distal end for receiving a tissue specimen; 
 wherein the core bed forms a cavity with an inner surface extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, and laterally between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; and 
 wherein the inner surface forms a projection extending between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge for engaging the tissue specimen; 
   an outer component, comprising:
 a tubular body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end forms a cutting face; and 
   wherein the inner component travels within the outer component.   
     
     
         20 . The needle of  claim 19 , wherein the projection extends from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         21 . The needle of  claim 19 , wherein the projection forms a ridge. 
     
     
         22 . The needle of  claim 19 , wherein the projection extends from the inner surface. 
     
     
         23 . The needle of  claim 19 , wherein the inner surface forms:
 a first set of projections adjacent the first end;   a second set of projections adjacent the second end; and   a third set of projections disposed between the first set and second set.