IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,871,384
Granted Patent B2
US 7,871,384 · App. 12/254,023 · Granted Jan 18, 2011

Biopsy device with variable speed cutter advance

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,871,384
App. No.
12/254,023
Granted
Jan 18, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A biopsy device having a translating and rotating cutter is disclosed. The translational speed of the cutter is varied using a variable pitch member. The variable pitch member can include a shaft having a relatively coarse threaded portion for rapid cutter advance and a relatively finer threaded portion for cutter advance during tissue severing.

Claims (32)

1. A method of controlling a biopsy device, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a tissue receiving aperture within tissue;

advancing a cutter to sever tissue received in the aperture by operating a motor to provide translation of the cutter in a distal direction from a position proximal of the tissue aperture to a position distal of the tissue receiving aperture;

retracting the cutter by operating the motor to provide translation of the cutter in a proximal direction from the position distal of the tissue receiving aperture to the position proximal of the tissue receiving aperture;

providing a current profile for the motor providing translation of the cutter, wherein the step of providing a current profile for the motor comprises providing a current profile for both advancing the cutter and retracting the cutter, wherein the current profile for advancing the cutter is different from the current profile for retracting the cutter;

measuring the current of the motor;

determining the difference between the measured current of the motor and the current profile; and

adjusting the current to the motor if the difference between the measured current and the current profile is greater than a predetermined amount; and

wherein the step of adjusting the current is operative to change the rate of translation of the cutter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the current profile includes providing a maximum current for translating the cutter prior to cutting tissue received in the aperture, and providing a current for translating the cutter during cutting tissue that is less than the maximum current.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising rotating the cutter while translating the cutter.

4. A method of controlling a biopsy device, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a tissue receiving aperture within tissue;

advancing a cutter while rotating the cutter to sever tissue received in the aperture by operating a motor to provide translation of the cutter in a distal direction from a position proximal of the tissue aperture to a position distal of the tissue receiving aperture;

retracting the cutter by operating the motor to provide translation of the cutter in a proximal direction from the position distal of the tissue receiving aperture to the position proximal of the tissue receiving aperture;

providing a current profile for the motor providing translation of the cutter;

measuring the current of the motor;

determining the difference between the measured current of the motor and the current profile; and

adjusting the current to the motor if the difference between the measured current and the current profile is greater than a predetermined amount; and

wherein the step of adjusting the current is operative to change the rate of translation of the cutter; and

wherein the step of providing a current profile comprises providing a profile for advancing the cutter that is different from a current profile for retracting the cutter.

5. A method of controlling a biopsy device, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a tissue receiving aperture within tissue;

advancing a cutter to sever tissue received in the aperture by operating a motor to provide translation of the cutter in a distal direction from a position proximal of the tissue aperture to a position distal of the tissue receiving aperture;

retracting the cutter by operating the motor to provide translation of the cutter in a proximal direction from the position distal of the tissue receiving aperture to the position proximal of the tissue receiving aperture;

providing a current profile for the motor for both advancing and retracting the cutter;

measuring the current of the motor;

determining the difference between the measured current of the motor and the current profile; and

adjusting the current to the motor if the difference between the measured current and the current profile is greater than a predetermined amount;

wherein the step of adjusting the current is operative to change the rate of translation of the cutter; and

wherein the step of providing the current profile includes providing a maximum current for translating the cutter prior to cutting tissue received in the aperture, and providing a current for translating the cutter during cutting tissue that is less than the maximum current.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising rotating the cutter while translating the cutter.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 13, 2010
From: DEVICOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 024672/0088 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2010
From: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
To: DEVICOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 024656/0606 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2009
From: THOMPSON, BENNIE; MCCOMBS, BETH; HUNT, JOHN V.; KRETCHMAN, JOHN; HIBNER, JOHN A.
To: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 022919/0505 →