Biopsy device with tip protector and mounting apparatus

Abstract

A biopsy device holder includes a needle holder, a distal holder, and a proximal holder. The needle holder includes an elongated housing extending between an open proximal end and a distal end. The needle holder is adapted to releasably receive the biopsy device through the open proximal end. The elongated housing includes a coupler configured to couple the needle holder to the biopsy device. The distal holder includes an opening configured to pivotably receive the distal end of the needle holder. The proximal holder includes a longitudinal stop that engages with a portion of the needle holder to prevent the needle holder from proximal longitudinal movement. The longitudinal stop is configured to disengage the coupler of the needle holder from the biopsy device when the biopsy device is moved proximally in a longitudinal direction.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A device holder, comprising:
 (a) a needle holder, wherein the needle holder includes an elongated housing extending between an open proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to releasably receive a portion of a biopsy device through the open proximal end, wherein the elongated housing includes a coupler configured to couple the needle holder to the biopsy device;   (b) a distal holder, wherein the distal holder includes an opening configured to pivotably receive the distal end of the needle holder such that the needle holder is operable to pivot relative to the distal holder when the distal end of the needle holder is received therein; and   (c) a proximal holder, wherein the proximal holder includes a longitudinal stop that engages with a portion of the needle holder to prevent the needle holder from proximal longitudinal movement such that the longitudinal stop is configured to disengage the coupler of the needle holder from the biopsy device when the biopsy device is moved proximally in a longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         2 . The device holder of  claim 1 , the distal and proximal holders are fixedly attached to a control module cart, wherein the distal and proximal holders extend from the control module cart to a suspended position such that the distal and proximal holders are positioned along an isolated plane relative to the control module cart. 
     
     
         3 . The device holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a holster holder configured to receive a disengaged portion of the biopsy device. 
     
     
         4 . The device holder of  claim 3 , wherein the holster holder is integrally formed with at least a portion of the proximal holder or distal holder. 
     
     
         5 . The device holder of  claim 1 , wherein the distal and proximal holders are configured to rotatably swivel relative to the control module cart. 
     
     
         6 . The device holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein the top plate is positioned atop the bottom plate, wherein the top plate is configured to pivot relative to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         7 . The device holder of  claim 6 , wherein the top plate includes a ball detent configured to engage the bottom plate. 
     
     
         8 . The device holder of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom plate includes a track, wherein the track has at least two locking points configured to receive a ball detent therein. 
     
     
         9 . The device holder of  claim 6 , wherein the top plate includes a ball detent configured to engage the bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate includes a track, wherein the track has at least two locking points configured to receive the ball detent therein, wherein the ball detent is configured to snap into the at least two locking points to thereby fix the top plate at an orientation relative to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         10 . The device holder of  claim 1 , wherein the needle holder includes a flange, wherein the flange is configured to engage the proximal holder, wherein the proximal holder includes a receiver, wherein the receiver is sized and shaped to receive the flange such that the needle cover is removably engaged with the proximal holder when the flange is received within the receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The device holder of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal stop is configured to permit lateral movement of the needle holder relative to the proximal holder to permit the needle holder to be removed together with a probe of the biopsy device. 
     
     
         12 . The device holder of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal holder defines a channel, wherein the channel extends along an axis aligned with the opening of the distal holder. 
     
     
         13 . The device holder of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal holder defines a channel, wherein the channel extends along an axis aligned with the opening of the distal holder, wherein the proximal holder further defines a well, wherein the well separates the channel into a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the well is configured to engage at least a portion of the needle holder. 
     
     
         14 . The device holder of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal holder defines a channel, wherein the channel extends along an axis aligned with the opening of the distal holder, wherein the longitudinal stop of the proximal holder defines a well, wherein the well separates the channel into a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the needle holder includes a flange, wherein the well is configured to engage the flange of the needle holder. 
     
     
         15 . The device holder of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal holder defines a channel, wherein the channel extends along an axis aligned with the opening of the distal holder, wherein the longitudinal stop of the proximal holder defines a rib, wherein the rib separates the channel into a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the needle holder includes a channel, wherein the needle holder is configured to pivot relative to the rib to pivot the channel into engagement with the rib. 
     
     
         16 . A system for mounting a biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a cart, wherein the cart includes a working surface;   (b) a device holder, wherein the device holder is associated with the working surface of the cart, wherein the device holder includes a holster holder, a mount, and a stand, wherein the mount includes an opening, wherein the stand includes a channel, wherein the mount is in parallel alignment with the stand such that the opening of the mount is aligned with the channel of the stand;   (c) a probe protector, wherein the probe protector includes an elongated housing extending between a proximal opening and a distal tip; and   (d) a biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device includes a holster, a probe, and a needle;   wherein the probe protector is configured to receive the needle and a portion of the probe within the elongated housing;   wherein the holster holder is configured to receive the holster; and   wherein the mount and stand are mutually configured to releasably receive the probe protector with the needle and the probe of the biopsy device attached thereto.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the device holder extends from the working surface to a suspended position such that the probe protector received by the mount and stand is physically isolated from the working surface of the cart. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the device holder further includes a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein the top plate is positioned atop the bottom plate, wherein the top plate is configured to pivot relative to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the probe protector further includes a flange, wherein the stand includes a well, wherein the well is sized and shaped to receive the flange such that the probe protector is removably engaged with the stand when the flange is received within the well. 
     
     
         20 . A method of mounting a biopsy device onto a control module cart with a single hand, the method comprising:
 (a) inserting a holster into a holster holder, wherein the holster holder is secured to a device holder that is mounted to a portion of the control module cart;   (b) inserting at least a portion of a probe protector into a mount, wherein the mount is secured to the device holder that is mounted to a portion of the control module cart;   (c) pivoting a proximal end of the probe protector toward the control module cart until encountering a stand;   (d) engaging a flange of the probe protector with a locking well of the stand such that the probe protector is translatably fixed relative to the mount and the stand; and   (e) removing the holster from the holster holder and installing the holster onto a portion of a probe.