Tetherless biopsy device
A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter operable to sever tissue protruding through a lateral aperture of the needle. A vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the cutter. A fluid pump is in fluid communication with the needle. A fluid pump actuation assembly is operable to actuate the fluid pump to deliver a bolus of fluid to the needle based on movement of the cutter. A valve assembly responsive to cutter movement is operable to selectively couple the needle with the fluid pump, couple the needle with atmospheric air, or seal the needle relative to the fluid pump and atmospheric air. The fluid from the fluid pump and atmospheric air cooperate with the vacuum to urge severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter. Components operable to actuate the cutter and the fluid pump include coaxial lead screws having different pitch diameters.
1. A biopsy device comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a cannula extending distally from the body, wherein the cannula has a distal end and a lateral tissue receiving port positioned proximal to the distal end;
(c) a cutter translatable relative to the cannula to sever tissue protruding through the lateral tissue receiving port;
(d) a cutter actuation assembly configured to translate the cutter relative to the cannula; and
(e) a valve assembly slidable in response to translation of the cutter, wherein the valve assembly is translatable distally from a proximal position to a first distal position, wherein the valve assembly is translatable further distally from the first distal position to a second distal position, wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively communicate fluid to the cannula in the first distal position, wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively vent the cannula to atmosphere in the second distal position.
2. The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively seal the cannula in the proximal position.
3. The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the biopsy device comprises a fluid pump.
4. The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the cannula comprises a first lumen and a second lumen, wherein the cutter is configured to translate within the first lumen.
5. The biopsy device of claim 4 , wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively vent the second lumen to atmosphere.
6. The biopsy device of claim 1 further comprising a tissue sample holder, wherein the tissue sample holder is configured to hold the tissue severed by the cutter.
7. The biopsy device of claim 6 , wherein the tissue sample holder is removably supported by the body of the biopsy device.
8. The biopsy device of claim 6 , wherein the tissue sample holder comprises a vacuum port.
9. The biopsy device of claim 8 further comprising a vacuum source coupled with the vacuum port of the tissue sample holder, wherein the vacuum source is configured to provide vacuum to the cannula.
10. The biopsy device of claim 1 further comprising a motor, wherein the motor is operable to translate the cutter.
11. The biopsy device of claim 10 , wherein the cutter is further configured to rotate relative to the cannula, wherein the motor is operable to rotate the cutter.
12. The biopsy device of claim 11 further comprising a vacuum source configured to provide vacuum to the cannula, wherein the motor is operable to actuate the vacuum source.
13. The biopsy device of claim 10 , wherein the motor is positioned within the body of the biopsy device.
14. The biopsy device of claim 13 further comprising a power source positioned within the body of the biopsy device, wherein the power source is configured to provide power to the motor.
15. The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a probe portion and a holster portion, wherein the probe portion is selectively removable from the holster portion.
16. The biopsy device of claim 15 , wherein the cutter actuation assembly is positioned within the holster portion, wherein the cutter is positioned within the probe portion.
17. A biopsy device comprising:
(a) probe portion, wherein the probe portion comprises:
(i) a cannula having a distal end and a lateral tissue receiving port positioned proximal to the distal end,
(ii) a cutter translatable relative to the cannula to sever tissue protruding through the lateral tissue receiving port,
(iii) a valve assembly translatable in response to translation of the cutter, wherein the valve assembly is translatable to selectively vent the cannula to atmosphere, and
(iv) a fluid pump actuation assembly, wherein the fluid pump actuation assembly is operable to actuate a fluid pump to deliver fluid to the cannula; and
(b) a holster portion removably couplable with the probe portion, wherein the holster portion comprises a motor operable to actuate the cutter, the valve assembly, and the fluid pump actuation assembly.
18. The biopsy device of claim 17 , wherein the holster comprises a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the cannula.
19. The biopsy device of claim 18 , wherein the motor is operable to actuate the vacuum pump.
20. A method of operating a biopsy device, wherein the biopsy device comprises a cannula having a lateral tissue receiving port, a cutter translatable relative to the cannula, and a valve assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting the cannula within a patient;
(b) prolapsing tissue within the lateral tissue receiving port;
(c) translating the cutter distally to sever tissue received by the cannula;
(d) translating the valve assembly distally to communicate a fluid to the cannula; and
(e) continuing to translate the valve assembly distally to seal the cannula relative to the fluid and to communicate atmospheric air to the cannula.