Biopsy device marker deployment

1 . A biopsy device comprising:

a cannula having longitudinal axis, a cutter lumen, and a tissue receiving port communicating with the cutter lumen;

a tissue cutter adapted for translation within the cutter lumen to sever tissue received in the tissue receiving port of the cannula; and

at least one guide disposed proximal of the cannula for positioning a biopsy marker deployer with respect to the cutter lumen.

2 . The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein the guide is laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the cannula.

3 . The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a passageway.

4 . The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein the guide forms an included angle with the longitudinal axis of the cannula of less than 60 degrees.

5 . The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a guide side port in an outer surface of the biopsy device.

6 . The biopsy device of claim 5 wherein the side port is non-circular.

7 . The biopsy device of claim 1 comprising at least two guides.

8 . The biopsy device of claim 1 wherein the guide is spaced laterally and longitudinally from the cannuala.

9 . A biopsy device comprising:

a body;

a cannula extending distally from the body, the cannula having longitudinal axis, a cutter lumen, and a tissue receiving port communicating with the cutter lumen;

a tissue cutter adapted for translation within the cutter lumen to sever tissue received in the tissue receiving port of the cannula; and

at least one guide passageway disposed proximal of the cannula, wherein the guide passageway is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

10 . The biopsy device of claim 9 wherein the guide passageway comprises a side port.

11 . The biopsy device of claim 10 wherein the side port is non-circular.

12 . A biopsy method comprising the steps of:

providing a cannula having longitudinal axis, a cutter lumen, and a tissue receiving port communicating with the cutter lumen;

providing a tissue cutter adapted for translation within the cutter lumen to sever tissue received in the tissue receiving port of the cannula;

providing a marker deployer adapted to deliver at least one biopsy marker;

positioning the tissue receiving port of the cannula in tissue to be sampled;

advancing the tissue cutter distally within the cutter lumen to sever a tissue sample;

withdrawing the tissue cutter from the cutter lumen;

inserting a portion of the marker deployer through a guide angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cannula;

positioning a distal end of the marker deployer in the cutter lumen; and

deploying a biopsy marker.

13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the step of inserting a portion of the marker deployer comprises inserting a portion of the marker deployer through a passageway in a portion of a biopsy device.

14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the distal end of the marker deployer exits the passageway prior to entering the cutter lumen.