Vacuum sensor and pressure pump for tetherless biopsy device
View Patent ↗A biopsy device may include a needle, a cutter, and a handpiece. A vacuum pump in the handpiece may provide a vacuum to the needle and/or to the cutter. A pressure pump in the handpiece may also provide pressurized air to the needle and/or to the cutter. A motor in the handpiece may drive the vacuum pump, the pressure pump, and/or the cutter. A vacuum sensor may sense a vacuum level within the biopsy device, and cause initiation of operational cycles in response to sensed vacuum levels. Portions of a valving mechanism and a clutching mechanism may be integrally formed. A clutching and valving mechanism may be driven by a first battery-powered motor; and a cutter, pressure pump, and vacuum pump by a second battery-powered motor. A biopsy device may thus provide vacuum, pressurized air, and power from within a handpiece, such that the biopsy device is tetherless.
1. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
(a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises:
(i) a tissue piercing tip,
(ii) a first lumen configured to receive a cutter,
(iii) a second lumen, wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen, and
(iv) a transverse tissue receiving aperture in fluid communication with the first lumen;
(b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends from the handpiece;
(c) a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is positioned within the handpiece;
(d) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the first lumen of the needle;
(e) a motor, wherein the motor is configured to drive the cutter and the vacuum pump;
(f) a valving mechanism configured to selectively redirect fluid communication to the second lumen, wherein the valving mechanism is located within the handpiece, wherein the valving mechanism comprises a manifold and a valving member within the manifold, wherein at least a portion of the manifold is in communication with the vacuum pump; and
(g) a clutching mechanism, wherein the clutching mechanism is configured to selectively engage the motor with the cutter, wherein the clutching mechanism comprises a first portion integral with the valving member.
2. The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the needle further comprises a needle hub, wherein the needle hub comprises a port in fluid communication with the second lumen.
3. The biopsy device of claim 2 , further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the port of the needle hub.
4. The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the clutching mechanism comprises a forked member configured to selectively move a drive gear.
5. The biopsy device of claim 1 , further comprising a second motor, wherein the clutching mechanism and the valving mechanism are driven by a second motor.
6. The biopsy device of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure pump, wherein the pressure pump is positioned within the handpiece
7. The biopsy device of claim 6 , wherein the motor is further configured to drive the pressure pump.
8. A biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises:
(a) a needle, wherein the needle comprises:
(i) a tissue piercing tip,
(ii) a first lumen configured to receive a cutter,
(iii) a transverse tissue receiving aperture in fluid communication with the first lumen, and
(iv) a second lumen, wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen;
(b) a handpiece, wherein the needle extends from the handpiece;
(c) a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is positioned within the handpiece;
(d) a cutter, wherein the cutter is rotatable and translatable within the first lumen of the needle;
(e) a sensor, wherein the sensor is positioned within the handpiece, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a level of vacuum within at least a portion of the biopsy device;
(f) a valving mechanism configured to selectively redirect fluid communication to the second lumen, wherein the valving mechanism is located within the handpiece, wherein the valving mechanism comprises a manifold and a valving member within the manifold, wherein at least a portion of the manifold is in communication with the vacuum pump;
(g) a motor; and
(h) a clutching mechanism, wherein the clutching mechanism is configured to selectively engage the motor with the cutter, wherein the clutching mechanism comprises a first portion integral with the valving member.
9. The biopsy device of claim 8 , wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of ports, wherein the valving member is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between two or more of the ports as a function of longitudinal position of the valving member within the manifold.
10. The biopsy device of claim 8 , wherein the first portion comprises a fork member, wherein the valving member extends distally from the fork member.
11. The biopsy device of claim 8 , wherein the cutter defines a cutter lumen, wherein the vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the cutter lumen, wherein the vacuum sensor is configured to sense a level of vacuum within the cutter lumen.
12. The biopsy device of claim 8 , further comprising a tissue sample chamber, wherein the vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the tissue sample chamber.
13. The biopsy device of claim 12 , wherein the sensor is within the tissue sample chamber.
14. The biopsy device of claim 8 , further comprising a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to respond to an indication from the sensor that the vacuum level is below a certain level.