Electrode sleeve for biopsy device

1 . A biopsy device comprising:

a hollow sleeve adapted to receive a tissue piercing element therein, the sleeve comprising an open proximal end, a distal end, and a tissue receiving opening disposed intermediate the proximal end and the distal end; and

at least one electrode disposed on the sleeve.

2 . The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein at the sleeve has an open distal end.

3 . The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein at least one electrode is associated with the tissue receiving opening.

4 . The biopsy device of claim 1 comprising at least two electrodes.

5 . The biopsy device of claim 1 comprising first and second electrodes associated with the edges of the tissue receiving opening.

6 . The sleeve of claim 1 further comprising a connector for releasably attaching the sleeve to a biopsy device.

7 . The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is operatively connected to a source of electrical energy.

8 . A biopsy device for the collection and retrieval of at least one soft tissue portion from a surgical patient, the biopsy device comprising:

a. a handle;

b. a piercer extending from the handle, the piercer having a distal tip for piercing tissue; and

c. at least one electrode disposed intermediate the handle and the distal tip.

9 . The device of claim 8 comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed intermediate the handle and the distal tip.

10 . The device of claim 8 wherein the distal tip is operatively connected to a source of electrical energy.

11 . The device of claim 8 comprising a first electrical connector for providing electrical energy to a first electrode disposed intermediate the handle and the distal tip.

12 . The device of claim 11 comprising a second electrical connector for providing electrical energy to a second electrode disposed intermediate the handle and the distal tip.

13 . The device of claim 11 comprising an electrical connector for providing electrical energy to the distal tip of the piercer.

14 . The device of claim 8 wherein at least one electrode is supported on a sleeve disposed about the piercer.

15 . A method of performing a medical procedure comprising the steps of:

providing a hollow tissue piercing element having a sharpened distal end and a tissue receiving port spaced proximally of the distal end;

providing a hollow sleeve having an open proximal end and at least one electrode;

positioning the sleeve over the piercing element; and

positioning the sleeve and the piercing element within a tissue mass.

16 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing a first, a second, and a third electrode on the sleeve;

providing current to the first electrode and to the second electrode while the third electrode is uncharged;

providing current to the first electrode and to the third electrode while the second electrode is uncharged; and

providing current to the second electrode and to the third electrode while the first electrode is uncharged.

17 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing a computer operatively attached to the electrodes; and

utilizing the computer to sequence the charging of the electrodes.

18 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:

the step of removing a portion of the tissue mass.

19 . The method of claim 16 wherein:

at least one of said first, second, and third electrode comprises a piercing element.

20 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing first, second, and third electrodes.