BIOPSY DEVICE WITH INTEGRAL VACUUM ASSIST AND TISSUE SAMPLE AND FLUID CAPTURING CANISTER

1 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . A biopsy device comprising:

(a) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture;

(b) a cutter translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula;

(c) a vacuum source in communication with the cutter;

(d) a container;

(e) a tissue sample holder located in the container, wherein the tissue sample holder is configured to capture solid tissue samples and hold the solid tissue samples therein while allowing fluid to escape the tissue sample holder;

(e) a flexible tube configured to communicate solid tissue samples from the cutter to the tissue sample holder; and

(f) a dynamic seal coupling the flexible tube to the cutter such that the cutter is configured to rotate and translate relative to the flexible tube.

22 . The biopsy device of claim 21 , further comprising an elbow adapted to receive the solid tissue samples in a first direction and direct the received solid tissue samples in a second direction lateral to the first direction.

23 . The biopsy device of claim 22 , wherein the tissue sample holder includes a straining member, wherein the straining member is positioned laterally relative to the second direction.

24 . The biopsy device of claim 21 , wherein the tissue sample holder includes a straining member, wherein the straining member defines a horizontal plane.

25 . The biopsy device of claim 24 , further comprising a second flexible tube, wherein the second flexible tube passes through the horizontal plane defined by the straining member and terminates at an end within the container.

26 . The biopsy device of claim 24 , further comprising a vacuum lumen communicating to a distal end of the probe cannula and a second flexible tube between the container and the vacuum lumen, wherein the second flexible tube is configured to communicate vacuum with the vacuum lumen.

27 . The biopsy device of claim 26 , wherein the second flexible tube is positioned above the plane defined by the straining member and terminates at a free end within the tissue sample holder.

28 . The biopsy device of claim 27 , further comprising a switching assembly responsive to the cutter, wherein the switching assembly is operatively configured to expose the vacuum lumen to the vacuum source in response to the cutter being retracted to prolapse tissue into the side aperture, wherein the switching assembly is configured to be responsive to the cutter being distally positioned to expose the vacuum lumen to an increased pressure to effect retraction of severed tissue to the container via the conduit.

29 . The biopsy device of claim 21 , wherein the container defines a fluid reservoir, wherein at least a portion of the fluid reservoir is defined by the tissue sample holder.

30 . The biopsy device of claim 29 , wherein the tissue sample holder includes a removable portion, wherein the removable portion of the tissue sample holder includes a basket, wherein the removable portion includes a straining member, wherein a vacuum port is positioned above the straining member.

31 . The biopsy device of claim 21 , wherein the dynamic seal is physically attached to a distal portion of the cutter.

32 . The biopsy device of claim 21 , further comprising a motor assembly operatively configured to translate the cutter to sever a tissue sample.

33 . A biopsy system comprising:

(a) a biopsy device including:

(i) a body,

(ii) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture, and

(iii) a cutter translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula;

(b) a sample collection assembly including:

(i) an outer container,

(ii) a lid couplable to the outer container, and

(ii) a tissue sample holder disposed within the outer container such that the tissue sample holder is configured to separate solid tissue samples from fluid as vacuum is communicated through the outer container, thereby holding tissue samples severed by the cutter; and

(c) a first tube extending from the outer container to the biopsy device such that the first tube is configured to communicate tissue samples from the biopsy device to the tissue sample holder, wherein at least a portion of the first tube includes an elbow portion configured to direct tissue samples toward the tissue sample holder.

34 . The biopsy system of claim 33 , wherein the tissue sample holder includes a floor defining a plurality of openings, the openings configured to strain solid tissue samples from fluid.

35 . The biopsy system of claim 33 , wherein the first tube terminates at a proximal end located above at least a portion of the tissue sample holder.

36 . The biopsy system of claim 33 , further comprising a vacuum conduit, wherein the tissue sample holder includes a strainer, wherein the strainer defines a straining plane, wherein the vacuum conduit includes a proximal end that is disposed below the straining plane such that the vacuum conduit is configured to draw fluid through the strainer of the tissue sample holder.

37 . A biopsy system comprising:

(a) a biopsy device including:

(i) a first body,

(ii) a second body selectively attachable to the first body,

(ii) an elongate needle extending from the second body and defining an internal passage and a side aperture, and

(iii) a cutter translatable and rotatable relative to the side aperture of the elongate needle to sever a tissue sample received in the side aperture;

(b) a sample collection assembly including:

(i) an outer container,

(ii) a lid couplable to the outer container, and

(ii) a tissue sample holder disposed within the outer container such that the tissue sample holder is configured to separate solid tissue samples from fluid as vacuum is communicated through the outer container, thereby holding tissue samples severed by the cutter, wherein the tissue sample holder includes a removable portion the configured for removal from the outer container and for insertion into a formalin container to store tissue samples; and

(c) a first tube extending from the outer container to the biopsy device such that the first tube is configured to communicate tissue samples from the biopsy device to the tissue sample holder, wherein at least a portion of the first tube includes an elbow portion configured to direct tissue samples toward the tissue sample holder.

38 . The biopsy system of claim 37 , a second tube communicating between the outer container of the sample collection assembly and a vacuum source, wherein the second tube is configured to supply vacuum to the first tube to transport tissue samples through the first tube to the tissue sample holder.

39 . The biopsy system of claim 38 , wherein the cutter and the first tube each define an inner surface coated with a hydrolubricous material configured to aid in transport of tissue samples.

40 . The biopsy system of claim 37 , wherein the first body is configured to be reused one or more times after a biopsy procedure, while the second body is configured for use in only a single biopsy procedure.