Surgical biopsy instrument

Abstract

A surgical instrument in the form of a biopsy needle for removing tissue samples from a patient. The device has means for preloading to excise tissue samples of a preselected one of many possible tissue sample sizes. After preloading, the procedure is easily accomplished using a single hand. The tip is rendered less traumatic by positioning the distal end of the tissue sample notch relatively close to the very distal tip of the stylet. This is accomplished by grinding the distal tip of the stylet into an elliptical shape in a plane having a lateral projection which is away from the distal end of the tissue sample notch.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Summary of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to medical devices and more particularly relates to surgical instruments.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]The diagnostic advantages of obtaining and analyzing a tissue sample have been long known. This procedure is often termed biopsy. To be most useful, the surgical instrument or biopsy needle, utilized to obtain the tissue sample must be insertable through the skin of the patient, guidable through the body to the sample site, and capable of quickly and easily excising and removing the selected sample.[0005]An early biopsy instrument is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,979, issued to van der Gaast, incorporated herein by reference. Called a disposable surgical skin punch by the inventor, the device is capable of taking manual core samples. U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,061, issued to Terwilliger et al., incorporated herein by reference, shows an extremely complex motorized version o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention overcomes the disadvantages found in the prior art devices by providing a convenient means for adjusting length of the core sample taken along with a less traumatic approach, which does not require excess distal extension of the needle beyond the tissue sample site.

[0010]The biopsy needle is rendered less traumatic by restricting the distance between the most distal point of the stylet and the most distal face of the tissue sample notch. This means that the stylet need be advanced only slightly beyond the intended sample to accommodate the distal tip (i.e. the distance between the distal tip and the most distal face of the tissue sample notch). Rigidity and strength of the distal end of the stylet ar enhanced by grinding the point at the tip of the stylet in a plane having a lateral projection on the longitudinal axis of the stylet which is away from the location of the tissue sample notch. The canula is similarly ground to provide even greater assurance of tip stability.

Problems solved by technology

Though probably somewhat easier to operate, the cost of manufacturing such a device probably precludes disposable use, which has become a major health care consideration.

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