IP Library Granted Patent US 12,465,338
Granted Patent B2
US 12,465,338 · App. 17/648,263 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Vacuum-assisted soft tissue biopsy device

Inventors: Nathan Otis Nelson (South Jordan, UT); John Robert Durham (Cottonwood Heights, UT); Michael Hallisey (Old Saybrook, CT)
A61B10/0275A61B10/0283
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,465,338
App. No.
17/648,263
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Devices and methods used to obtain a tissue sample utilizing a vacuum assist are disclosed. The devices include a handle, an inner cannula, and an outer cannula. The devices include a vacuum tube in communication with a sample notch of the inner cannula. The handle is actuated to drive the inner cannula into a lesion such that the sample notch is disposed within the lesion. A vacuum is generated in the vacuum tube and the sample notch as the stylet is driven into the lesion. A tissue sample is sucked into the sample notch and the outer cannula is displaced over the sample notch to sever the tissue sample from the lesion.

Claims (43)

1 . A biopsy device, comprising:

a shell comprising:

a stationary shoulder;

a first actuator comprising:

a first recess; and

a second recess; and

a second actuator comprising a protrusion;

an arming slide disposed within the shell, the arming slide comprising a hub catch;

a first hub comprising:

a first cantilever arm comprising a first trigger catch and configured to operatively engage with the stationary shoulder; and

a first load catch configured to engage with the hub catch;

a second hub comprising:

a second cantilever arm comprising a second trigger catch configured to operatively engage with the stationary shoulder; and

a second load catch configured to engage with the hub catch;

a vacuum member comprising:

a tube defining a vacuum chamber; and

a piston slidably disposed within the vacuum chamber;

an inner cannula coupled to the first hub and in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber; and

an outer cannula coupled to the second hub and co-axially disposed over the inner cannula.

2 . The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein a depth of the first recess is less than a depth of the second recess.

3 . The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the hub catch comprises an inner cannula hub catch having a triangular shape and an outer cannula hub catch having a triangular shape.

4 . The biopsy device of claim 3 , wherein the first load catch is configured to receive the inner cannula hub catch and the second load catch is configured to receive the outer cannula hub catch.

5 . The biopsy device of claim 1 ,

wherein the piston is coupled to the first hub; and

wherein a vacuum is generated in the vacuum chamber when the first hub is displaced from a proximal position to a distal position.

6 . The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the inner cannula comprises:

a proximal inner cannula portion coupled to the first hub;

a distal inner cannula portion co-axially disposed over the proximal inner cannula;

a sample notch disposed in the distal inner cannula adjacent a distal end of the inner cannula; and

a trocar tip disposed in the distal end of the distal inner cannula;

wherein the sample notch is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber and is configured to receive a tissue sample.

7 . The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the outer cannula comprises a beveled tip configured to sever a tissue sample.

8 . The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the outer cannula comprises depth markings disposed along a length of the outer cannula.

9 . The biopsy device of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable penetration depth member, the adjustable penetration depth member comprising:

a threaded stop;

an adjustment wheel threadingly coupled to the threaded stop; and

an indicium coupled to indicia of the shell and configured to indicate a needle penetration depth.

10 . The biopsy device of claim 1 , wherein the arming slide comprises:

a finger grip; and

a return spring configured to return the arming slide from a proximal position to a distal position.

11 . The biopsy device of claim 1 ,

wherein the first hub further comprises a first drive spring configured to displace the first hub from a proximal position to a distal position; and

wherein the second hub further comprises a second drive spring configured to displace the second hub from a proximal position to a distal position.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2025
From: NELSON, NATHAN OTIS; DURHAM, JOHN ROBERT
To: MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 072172/0396 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2023
From: MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064599/0760 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2023
From: HALLISEY, MICHAEL J, DR.
To: KNIGHT MEDICAL LLC
Reel/Frame 062742/0809 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2023
From: KNIGHT MEDICAL LLC
To: MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062742/0840 →