Single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device usable with various transport systems and integrated markers

1. A biopsy device comprising:

a biopsy sample extraction needle with a sample extraction end, a recovery end, and a transport channel linking the sample extraction and recovery ends;

a pump;

a multi-way valve in fluid communication with the biopsy sample extraction needle and the pump wherein the multi-way valve has a plurality of positions;

and

a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid, the fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with the transport channel and the pump,

the pump and the multi-way valve configured to switch between multiple system configurations, including:

a first configuration wherein the multi-way valve has a first position that directly connects the pump to an ambient vent and the pump can reduce the pressure in at least the sample extraction end of the biopsy sample extraction needle;

a second configuration wherein the multi-way valve has a second position that directly connects the pump to the fluid reservoir and the pump can draw the fluid from the fluid reservoir;

and

a third configuration wherein the multi-way valve has a third position that directly connects the pump to the sample extraction end of the biopsy sample extraction needle and the pump can supply the fluid to the sample extraction end to flush the fluid along the transport channel from the sample extraction end to the recovery end in a manner capable of transporting a sample along the transport channel, wherein in the third configuration the pump is also configured to simultaneously pull a vacuum on the recovery end while supplying the fluid to the sample extraction end.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a fourth system configuration wherein the multi-way valve has the third position and the pump can flush air along the transport channel from the recovery end to the sample extraction end.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the pump comprises a first port connected to the multi-way valve and a second port connected to the recovery end.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a sump in fluid communication with the second port and with the recovery end.

5. The device of claim 2 further comprising a fifth system configuration wherein the multi-way valve has the second position and the pump is configured to pump fluid from a first port of the pump into the reservoir.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the pump comprises the first port connected to the unitary multi-way valve and a second port connected to the recovery end.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising a sump in fluid communication with the second port and with the recovery end.

8. The device of claim 5 further comprising a sump in fluid communication with the pump and with the recovery end.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the pump comprises a first port connected to the multi-way valve and a second port connected to the recovery end.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a sump in fluid communication with the second port and with the recovery end.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the second position and the third position are not the same.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the second position and the third position are not the same.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising a fourth system configuration wherein the multi-way valve has the third position and the pump can flush air along the transport channel from the recovery end to the sample extraction end.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the pump comprises a first port connected to the multi-way valve and a second port connected to the recovery end.

15. The device of claim 14 further comprising a sump in fluid communication with the second port and with the recovery end.