Biopsy system

Abstract

A biopsy system includes various features. A tissue sample holder kit of the system comprises a rotatable member with chambers configured to receive tissue receiving features of a tissue sample tray. A biopsy device of the system includes user input features and user feedback features disposed on a body. A user interface of the system includes a graphical representation of a tissues ample holder. A biopsy site marker applier of the system includes markings associated with different biopsy device configurations. The biopsy system may undergo a multi-step initialization process. In operation, the biopsy system may execute pneumatic control algorithms including the use of vacuum, saline, and atmospheric air.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A biopsy system, comprising:
 (a) a biopsy device, the biopsy device including:
 (i) a needle, 
 (ii) a cutter movable relative to the needle to sever a tissue sample, 
 (iii) a first processing module, and 
 (iv) a tissue sensor in communication with the first processing module, the tissue sensor being configured to sense a tissue sample severed by the cutter; and 
   (b) a remote unit separate from the biopsy device, the remote unit including:
 (i) a second processing module, the second processing module being in communication with the first processing module, and 
 (ii) an indicator in communication with the second processing module, the second processing module being operable to drive the indicator based on information from the tissue sensor. 
   
     
     
         22 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the tissue sensor including an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a laser sensor, or a capacitive sensor, or a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         23 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the biopsy device further including a tissue sample holder in communication with the cutter, the tissue sample holder including a plurality of chambers configured to separately receive tissue samples captured by the cutter. 
     
     
         24 . The biopsy system of  claim 23 , the tissue sensor including a vacuum sensor, the vacuum sensor being configured to sense the acquisition of a tissue sample within the tissue sample holder through variation in vacuum strength. 
     
     
         25 . The biopsy system of  claim 23 , the tissue sensor being positioned adjacent to a lumen extending from the cutter to the tissue sample holder. 
     
     
         26 . The biopsy system of  claim 23 , the tissue sensor being configured to sense whether a tissue sample has been captured within the tissue sample holder. 
     
     
         27 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the tissue sensor being in communication with the second processing module via the first processing module, the second processing module being configured to distinguish between tissue samples and fluids via the tissue sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the tissue sensor being further configured to sense one or more qualities of a tissue sample severed by the cutter. 
     
     
         29 . The biopsy system of  claim 28 , the one or more qualities including one or more of the tissue sample length, the tissue sample mass, or the tissue sample color. 
     
     
         30 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the tissue sensor including an ultrasonic sensor positioned adjacent to a tissue sample holder or to a lumen through which tissue samples are communicated to reach the tissue sample holder. 
     
     
         31 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the biopsy device further including a tissue sample holder and a lumen adjacent to the tissue sample holder, the lumen being configured to communicate tissue samples to the tissue sample holder from the cutter, at least a portion of the tissue sensor being positioned within the lumen. 
     
     
         32 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the indicator including an audible indicator, the first processing module or the second processing module being operable to drive the audible indicator to emit audible sound based on information from the tissue sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the indicator including a visual indicator, the second processing module being operable to drive the visual indicator to provide a visual indication based on information from the tissue sensor. 
     
     
         34 . The biopsy system of  claim 33 , the visual indicator including at least one LED, or a graphical display, or both. 
     
     
         35 . The biopsy system of  claim 21 , the biopsy device further including a transmitter in communication with the first processing module, the remote unit further including a receiver in communication with the second processing module, the transmitter being configured to wirelessly communicate with the receiver to communicatively couple the first processing module with the second processing module. 
     
     
         36 . A biopsy system, comprising:
 (a) a biopsy device, the biopsy device including:
 (i) a needle, 
 (ii) a cutter movable relative to the needle to sever one or more tissue samples, the cutter defining a lumen configured to transport the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter, 
 (iii) a first processing module, and 
 (iv) a sensor in communication with the first processing module, the sensor being in communication with the lumen defined by the cutter; and 
   (b) a remote unit separate from the biopsy device, the remote unit including:
 (i) a second processing module, the second processing module being in communication with the first processing module, and 
 (ii) a display in communication with the second processing module, the display being operable to illuminate an indicator based on information from the sensor communicated via the second processing module. 
   
     
     
         37 . The biopsy system of  claim 36 , further comprising a tissue sample holder in communication with the cutter, the tissue sample holder including a plurality of chambers configured to separately receive each tissue sample of the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter, the sensor being positioned between the tissue sample holder and the needle. 
     
     
         38 . The biopsy system of  claim 36 , further comprising a tissue sample holder in communication with the cutter, the tissue sample holder including a plurality of chambers configured to separately receive each tissue sample of the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter, the sensor being positioned between the tissue sample holder and the needle, wherein the second indicator is operable to drive the display based on information from the sensor to show which chambers of the plurality of chambers are occupied by each tissue sample of the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter. 
     
     
         39 . The biopsy system of  claim 36 , the sensor being positioned proximally of the needle. 
     
     
         40 . A biopsy system, comprising:
 (a) a biopsy device, including:
 (i) a needle, 
 (ii) a cutter configured to move relative to the needle to sever a tissue sample, the cutter defining a transport lumen, 
 (iii) a tissue sample holder configured to receive the tissue sample from the cutter via the transport lumen, and 
 (iv) a sensor in communication with the transport lumen and configured to detect the presence of the tissue sample; and 
   (b) a control module including a display, the display being in communication with the sensor to communicate the presence of the tissue sample within the transport lumen to an operator.