Single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device with linear drive

Abstract

A single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device for insertion into a host includes an outer cutting cannula that has an inner lumen, a cutting distal end, and a proximal sample receiving port. The device includes a stylet extending at least partially within the inner lumen of the outer cutting cannula and along a longitudinal axis of the outer cutting cannula. A sheath extends at least partially within the inner lumen of the outer cutting cannula. A stylet tip is attached to a stylet rail. Each of the sheath and the stylet rail extends along the longitudinal axis. The stylet tip extends in the distal direction beyond the distal end of the outer cutting cannula. A drive unit is configured to translate each of the cutting cannula, the sheath, and the stylet relative to the stylet tip in proximal and distal directions. The stylet rail remains stationary relative to the drive unit.

1 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device for insertion into a host, comprising:
 an outer cutting cannula having an inner lumen and extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the outer cutting cannula having a cutting distal end, the outer cutting cannula having a proximal sample receiving port, the configured to translate in a proximal direction and a distal direction;   a stylet extending along the longitudinal axis, the stylet extends at least partially within the inner lumen of the outer cutting cannula, the stylet configured to translate in the proximal direction and the distal direction;   a sheath extending along the longitudinal axis, the sheath extends at least partially within the inner lumen of the outer cutting cannula, the sheath configured to translate in the proximal direction and the distal direction;   a stylet tip attached to a stylet rail, the stylet tip extends in the distal direction beyond the distal end of the outer cutting cannula, the stylet rail extends along the longitudinal axis; and   a drive unit configured to translate the outer cutting cannula, the sheath, and the stylet relative to the stylet tip, the stylet rail remains stationary relative to the drive unit.   
     
     
         60 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 59 , wherein the stylet rail is disposed between the stylet and the sheath. 
     
     
         61 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 59 , wherein the stylet rail extends at least partially within the outer cutting cannula. 
     
     
         62 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 59 , wherein the sheath comprises a beveled distal end. 
     
     
         63 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 59 , wherein the sheath is configured to translate along the stylet rail. 
     
     
         64 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 59 , further comprising a second stylet rail. 
     
     
         65 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 59 , further comprising:
 a bulkhead having a bulkhead distal end, a bulkhead proximal end, a length that extends from the bulkhead distal end to the bulkhead proximal end, and a vacuum passage extending along the longitudinal axis through the length of the bulkhead.   
     
     
         66 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 65 , wherein the bulkhead is disposed inside the stylet. 
     
     
         67 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 66 , wherein, collectively, the stylet tip, the stylet, and the bulkhead are configured to form a longitudinal port. 
     
     
         68 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 67 , wherein the drive unit is configured to translate and rotate the outer cutting cannula to expose the longitudinal port. 
     
     
         69 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 67 , wherein the drive unit is configured to distally advance the sheath to enclose the longitudinal port. 
     
     
         70 . A single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device for insertion into a host, comprising:
 an outer cutting cannula having an inner lumen and extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the outer cutting cannula having a cutting distal end, the outer cutting cannula having a proximal sample receiving port, the configured to translate in a proximal direction and a distal direction;   a stylet extending along the longitudinal axis, the stylet extends at least partially within the inner lumen of the outer cutting cannula, the stylet configured to translate in the proximal direction and the distal direction;   a sheath extending along the longitudinal axis, the sheath extends at least partially within the inner lumen of the outer cutting cannula, the sheath configured to translate in the proximal direction and the distal direction;   a first stylet rail;   a second stylet rail;   a stylet tip attached to the first stylet rail and the second stylet rail, the stylet tip extends in the distal direction beyond the distal end of the outer cutting cannula, the first stylet rail and the second stylet rail extends along the longitudinal axis; and   a drive unit configured to translate the outer cutting cannula, the sheath, and the stylet relative to the stylet tip, the first stylet rail, and the second stylet rail,   wherein the stylet tip, the first stylet rail, and the second stylet rail are stationary relative to the drive unit.   
     
     
         71 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 70 , wherein the first stylet rail is disposed between the stylet and the sheath and the second stylet rail is disposed between the stylet and the sheath. 
     
     
         72 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 70 , wherein the first and second stylet rails extend at least partially within the outer cutting cannula. 
     
     
         73 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 70 , wherein the sheath is configured to translate along the first and second stylet rails. 
     
     
         74 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 70 , further comprising:
 a bulkhead having a bulkhead distal end, a bulkhead proximal end, a length that extends from the bulkhead distal end to the bulkhead proximal end, and a vacuum passage extending along the longitudinal axis through the length of the bulkhead.   
     
     
         75 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 74 , wherein the bulkhead is disposed inside the stylet. 
     
     
         76 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 74 , wherein a combination of the stylet tip, the stylet, and the bulkhead forms a longitudinal port. 
     
     
         77 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 76 , wherein the drive unit is configured to translate and rotate the outer cutting cannula to expose the longitudinal port. 
     
     
         78 . The single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device of  claim 76 , wherein the drive unit is configured to distally advance the sheath to enclose the longitudinal port.