Biopsy device

1. A biopsy device suitable for use with a magnetic resonance imaging machine, said device comprising an elongated needle for receiving tissue therein, the needle comprising:

(a) a housing; and

(b) a needle assembly extending distally from the housing, the needle assembly comprising:

(i) a distal needle segment sized and shaped to be inserted in a patient, the distal needle segment having a proximal end and comprising a lateral tissue receiving port disposed distally of the proximal end, the lateral tissue receiving port positionable within the patient, the distal needle segment formed of a non-metallic, first material that does not interfere with MRI imaging of a portion of the distal needle segment associated with the tissue receiving port;

(ii) a tissue piercing associated with a distal end of the distal needle segment, wherein the lateral tissue receiving port of the distal needle segment is disposed proximal of the piercing tip; and

(iii) a proximal needle segment disposed proximally of the tissue receiving port, the proximal needle segment formed at least in part of a metallic, second material different from said first material;

wherein the proximal needle segment and the distal needle segment provide at least one substantially continuous lumen, wherein the proximal needle segment and the distal needle segment are longitudinally joined along a common axis; and

wherein a portion of the proximal needle segment extends distally of the proximal end of the distal needle segment.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the distal needle segment is molded over a portion of the proximal needle segment.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the second material is selected from the group comprising aluminum, aluminum alloys, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys, and combinations thereof.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the proximal needle segment and the distal needle segment provide a generally continuous cutter lumen and a generally continuous vacuum lumen, wherein the cutter lumen and the vacuum lumen extend generally side by side along at least a portion of the length of the cutter lumen.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal piercing tip comprises a non-metallic material.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal piercing tip comprises a material selected from the group comprising ceramics and glasses.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the proximal needle segment and the distal needle segment provide a continuous, smooth cutter lumen.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the proximal needle segment and the distal needle segment provide a continuous vacuum lumen.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the needle comprises at least passage extending from the vacuum lumen to an outer surface of the needle.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the distal needle segment comprises a plurality of passages extending from the vacuum lumen to the outer surface of the needle.

11. A biopsy device suitable for use with a magnetic resonance imaging machine, said device comprising:

(a) a housing; and

(b) a needle assembly extending distally from the housing, the needle assembly comprising:

(i) a distal needle segment sized and shaped to be inserted in a patient and comprising a lateral tissue receiving port communicating with a distal cutter lumen portion, the lateral tissue receiving port positionable within the patient, and the distal needle segment formed of a first non-metallic material;

(ii) a piercing tip associated with a distal end of the distal needle segment, wherein the lateral tissue receiving port of the distal needle segment is disposed proximal of the piercing tip; and

(iii) a proximal needle segment formed at least in part of a metal, the proximal needle segment comprising a proximal cutter lumen portion, and wherein said metal is spaced proximally at least about 0.5 inch from a proximal edge of said tissue receiving port;

wherein the distal needle segment is coupled with the proximal needle segment, wherein the distal cutter lumen portion is longitudinally coupled with the proximal cutter lumen portion along a common axis.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said metal is spaced between about 0.5 inch and about 2.5 inches from a proximal edge of said tissue receiving port.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein said metal is spaced between about 0.5 inch and about 1.5 inch from a proximal edge of said tissue receiving port.

14. A biopsy device suitable for use with a magnetic resonance imaging machine, said device comprising an elongated needle for receiving tissue therethrough, the needle comprising:

(a) a housing; and

(b) a needle assembly extending distally from the housing, the needle assembly comprising:

(i) a distal needle segment formed of a non-metallic material and having a lateral tissue receiving port communicating with a distal cutter lumen segment; wherein the distal needle segment has a proximal end:

(ii) a metallic proximal needle segment coupled with the distal needle segment and disposed proximally of the tissue receiving port, wherein the metallic proximal needle segment provides a proximal cutter lumen segment communicating with the distal cutter lumen segment, wherein the proximal needle segment has a distal end and a proximal end; and

(iii) a mounting component coupled to the metallic proximal needle segment and located substantially near the proximal end of the metallic proximal needle segment, wherein the mounting component couples the needle assembly to the housing;

wherein the distal end of the proximal needle segment is positioned distally of the proximal end of the distal needle segment.

15. The biopsy device of claim 14 wherein a portion of the distal needle segment is molded over a portion of the proximal needle segment.

16. A biopsy device suitable for use with a magnetic resonance imaging machine, the device comprising:

a handpiece;

an outer needle extending from the handpiece, the needle comprising a proximal needle segment extending outwardly from the handpiece, and a distal needle segment supported by the proximal needle segment and spaced from the handpiece by the proximal needle segment, the distal needle segment comprising a lateral tissue receiving opening;

an inner cutter having a distal end adapted to translate within the outer needle to sever tissue received in the lateral tissue receiving opening;

a tissue piercing tip associated with a distal end of the distal needle segment;

wherein the distal needle segment is formed of a non-metallic, first material suitable for use with MRI imaging of a portion of the distal needle segment associated with the tissue receiving port; and

wherein the proximal needle segment is formed at least in part of a metallic, second material different from said first material.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the proximal needle segment and the distal needle segment provide at least one substantially continuous cutter lumen through which the distal end of the cutter translates.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein a portion of the proximal needle segment extends distally of a proximal end of the distal needle segment.