MRI compatible surgical biopsy device having a tip which leaves an artifact

1. A biopsy device which is compatible for use with a magnetic resonance imaging machine, said device comprising:

a. a non-metallic elongated substantially tubular needle having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis therebetween, a cutter lumen, a non-metallic liner extending along a portion of the cutter lumen, and a side port communicating with said cutter lumen and spaced from said distal end on said elongated needle for receiving a tissue sample;

b. a sharpened closed distal tip for insertion within tissue, said sharpened distal tip attached relative to said distal end of said needle, said distal tip having a proximally opening hollow cavity which is at least partially filled with a capsule comprising a material which will leave an artifact under magnetic resonance imaging, wherein said capsule is spaced distally from said side port of said needle; and

c. a hub member engaged with the distal tip, wherein the hub member is configured to cover the proximally opening hollow cavity of the distal tip to contain the capsule within the proximally opening hollow cavity of the distal tip, wherein the proximally opening hollow cavity of the distal tip is substantially closed off relative to the cutter lumen by the hub member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said needle comprises a thermoplastic.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said needle comprises a glass fiber reinforced polymer resin.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said material which will leave an artifact under magnetic resonance imaging is selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, titanium, aluminium, copper, brass and bronze.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cutter movable within said tubular needle.

6. A biopsy device comprising:

a non-metallic elongated needle having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis therebetween, the needle comprising a cutter lumen, a vacuum lumen, and a side port spaced from said distal end of said elongated needle for receiving a tissue sample;

a sharpened distal tip for insertion within tissue, said sharpened distal tip attached relative to said distal end of said needle, said distal tip comprising a material which will leave an artifact under magnetic resonance imaging, wherein the material which will leave an artifact is spaced distally from said side port of said elongated needle;

a member engaged with the sharpened distal tip, wherein the member is located distally from the side port of the elongated needle and between the material and the cutter lumen, wherein the member separates the material form the cutter lumen; and

a cutter movable within the cutter lumen of said tubular needle.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said needle comprises a thermoplastic.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said needle comprises a glass fiber reinforced polymer resin.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said material which will leave an artifact under magnetic resonance imaging is selected from the group consisting of: gadolinium, titanium, aluminium, copper, bins and bronze.

10. A biopsy device comprising:

a non-metallic elongated substantially tubular needle having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis therebetween, and a side port spaced from said distal end on said elongated needle for receiving a tissue sample;

a sharpened closed distal tip for insertion within tissue, said sharpened distal tip attached relative to said distal end of said needle, said distal tip having a proximally opening cavity therein;

a material which will leave an artifact under imaging, wherein said material is disposed in said cavity of said distal tip and spaced distally from said side port of said needle;

a member engaged with the sharpened closed distal tip, wherein the member is configured to substantially cover the proximally opening cavity and includes a projection configured to contain the material within the proximally opening cavity; and

a cutter movable within said tubular needle.