Biopsy system and biopsy driver for use therewith

Abstract

The biopsy driver includes a housing, a battery power source, a motor, a trigger, and a control circuit. The control circuit has a trigger switch circuit, a resistor network circuit, and a pulse width modulation circuit. The trigger switch circuit has an off state and an on state. The resistor network circuit is coupled to an input of the pulse width modulation circuit. The pulse width modulation circuit is configured to generate a variable pulse width signal to control a rotational speed of the motor. When the trigger switch circuit is in an on state, the trigger switch circuit is configured to connect a negative terminal of the battery power source to chassis ground and select a resistance value from the resistor network circuit to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal generated by the pulse width modulation circuit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

[0002] The present invention relates to biopsy drivers and biopsy devices, and more particularly to biopsy systems and biopsy drivers for use therewith. [Background technology]

[0003] Bone biopsy surgery involves the use of a surgical device to provide access to a patient's bone tissue, such as cortical bone or bone marrow. Such surgical devices may include a handheld power drill that can utilize an electric or pneumatic motor to rotate a cutting element of an intraosseous device, such as a biopsy needle. In some applications, the biopsy needle is releasably connected to the drive shaft of the power drill to allow for easy replacement of the biopsy needle during the bone biopsy procedure. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one form, the present invention is directed to a biopsy driver including a housing, a battery power supply, a motor, a trigger, and a control circuit. The battery power supply is contained within the housing. The battery power supply has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The negative terminal is selectively coupled to or decoupled from chassis ground, for example, by the control circuit. The motor is contained within the housing. The motor has a drive shaft. The motor has a first power input terminal and a second power input terminal. The trigger is coupled to the housing and accessible from the exterior of the housing. The control circuit is attached to the housing and electrically coupled to the motor. The control circuit has a trigger switch circuit, a resistor network circuit, and a pulse width modulation circuit. The trigger switch circuit has an off state and an on state. The resistor network circuit is coupled to an input of the pulse width modulation circuit. The pulse width modulation circuit is configured to generate a variable pulse width signal to control the rotational speed of the motor. When the trigger switch circuit is in an on state, the trigger switch circuit is configured to connect the negative terminal of the battery power source to chassis ground and to select a resistance value from the resistor network circuit to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal generated by the pulse width modulation circuit.

[0005] In another form, the present invention is directed to a biopsy driver including a housing, a battery power source, a motor, a trigger, and a control circuit. The battery power source is contained within the housing. The battery power source has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The negative terminal is selectively coupled to chassis ground, for example, by the control circuit. The motor is contained within the housing. The motor has a drive shaft. The motor has a first power input terminal and a second power input terminal. The trigger is coupled to the housing and accessible from the exterior of the housing. The control circuit is mounted to the housing and electrically coupled to the motor. The control circuit has a trigger switch circuit having a circuit trace arrangement and a movable contact element. The circuit trace arrangement has a plurality of elongated electrical contact arrays. The movable contact element has a plurality of contact prongs. The movable contact element is mechanically connected to the trigger. The plurality of elongated electrical contact arrays includes a first elongated electrical contact array having a first electrical contact strip connected to chassis ground. The plurality of contact prongs includes a first electrical contact prong positioned for sliding engagement with the first elongated electrical contact row, and the trigger is configured to slidably move the first electrical contact prong along the first electrical contact strip to physically move the electrical connection between the first electrical contact prong of the movable contact element and the chassis ground.

[0006]

[0006] In another form thereof, the present invention is directed to a biopsy system including an intraosseous device and a biopsy driver, which may be of any of the forms and configurations described herein.

[0007]

[0007] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become more apparent and the present invention will be better understood by referring to the following description of embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]

[0008] This is an oblique view of a biopsy system having a biopsy driver, an intraosseous device, and a coupler device having a proximal coupler portion and a distal coupler portion, with both coupler portions shown in their respective latched positions and the biopsy driver operable by a trigger. [Figure 2]

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the biopsy driver of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]

[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of the biopsy driver of FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4]

[0011] 3 is a side view of the biopsy driver of FIG. 2 with the left housing portion removed to expose the motor, battery power supply, control module with trigger, and light emitting diode. FIG. [Figure 5]

[0012] 5 is an exploded view of the control module of FIG. 4 exposing the control circuit of the biopsy driver, the control circuit having a printed circuit board and a movable contact element connected to the trigger. [Figure 6]

[0013] 6 is a block diagram of the control circuit of FIG. 5 shown coupled to the battery power supply and motor of FIG. 4. [Figure 7]

[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the opposite side of the printed circuit board, movable contact element, and trigger shown in FIG. 5, in which the trigger circuit is formed by a circuit trace configuration of the printed circuit board, the movable contact element is connected to the trigger, and the trigger and movable contact element are projected away from the printed circuit board for ease of viewing. [Figure 8]

[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram of the circuit trace components of a printed circuit board associated with the battery power source, the motor, and the resistor network and PWM circuits of the control circuit. [Figure 9]

[0016] 8 is a side view of a movable contact element mechanically connected to a trigger, corresponding to the orientation shown in FIG. 5 and opposite to the orientation shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10]

[0017] 8 is an enlarged side view of the trigger circuit of FIG. 7 with the movable contact element in a home position in the off position range. [Figure 11]

[0018] 8 is an enlarged side view of the trigger circuit of FIG. 7 with the movable contact element positioned at a maximum motor rotation speed position in the ON position range. FIG. [Figure 12]

[0019] FIG. 12 is an enlarged side view of the movable contact element of FIGS. 7 and 9-11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009]

[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set forth herein illustrates at least one embodiment of the present invention, and such exemplification should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

[0010]

[0021] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a biopsy system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]

[0022] Biopsy system 10 includes a biopsy driver 12, an intraosseous device 14, and a coupler device 16. Referring also to Figures 2-4, in this embodiment, biopsy driver 12 includes a motor 18 having a drive shaft 20. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, intraosseous device 14 is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 20 of biopsy driver 12 via coupler device 16, and intraosseous device 14 is rotationally driven by the drive shaft 20 of biopsy driver 12. Motor 18 is, for example, a direct current (DC) motor.

[0012]

[0023] In this embodiment, the drive shaft 20 of the biopsy driver 12 is releasably connectable to the proximal coupler portion 16-1 of the coupler device 16. The drive shaft 20 may have a polygonal configuration of the drive surface 20-1, which may be, for example, a hexagon configured to engage with a corresponding driven feature of the proximal coupler portion 16-1 of the coupler device 16. The coupler device 16 has a distal coupler portion 16-2 releasably connectable to the intraosseous device 14. The distal coupler portion 16-2 of the coupler device 16 includes an external operator arm 16-3 that is longitudinally movable (e.g., can be pushed or pulled) to release the intraosseous device 14, for example, to facilitate exchange of the intraosseous device 14 during a biopsy procedure. The intraosseous device 14 may be, for example, a biopsy needle assembly having a distal coupler portion configured to facilitate one or more of cutting, drilling, and / or coring bone tissue.

[0013]

[0024] In alternative embodiments, for example, the intraosseous device 14 may be configured to connect directly to the drive shaft 20 of the biopsy driver 12 .

[0014]

[0025] Motor 18 may be, for example, a brushed motor with a permanent magnet stator. Motor 18 has a first power input terminal 18-1 (e.g., a negative terminal) and a second power input terminal 18-2 (e.g., a positive terminal). First power input terminal 18-1 and second power input terminal 18-2 are respectively connected to the brushes of motor 18. Motor 18 may be, for example, a Maxon® Model DCX22S GB SL 12V motor with graphite commutating brushes and a 44:1 gear reduction planetary gearhead on drive shaft 20, available from Maxon Precision Motors, Inc. (Taunton, Massachusetts 02780, USA). The graphite commutating brushes are electrically connected to first power input terminal 18-1 and second power input terminal 18-2.

[0015]

[0026] 1-3, the biopsy driver 12 includes a housing 22. The housing may be made of an electrically insulating material, such as a non-conductive plastic. In this embodiment, the housing 22 is formed as a split case including a left housing portion 22-1 and a right housing portion 22-2.

[0016]

[0027] 4, left housing portion 22-1 has been removed to expose the components contained in and / or attached to housing 22. In addition to motor 18, housing 22 includes a battery power supply 24, a control module 26, and a light emitting diode (LED) 28, each of which is attached to housing 22. Control module 26 includes a trigger 30.

[0017]

[0028] The housing 22 includes a distal opening 22-3 and a proximal aperture 22-4. The trigger 30 extends distally through the distal opening 22-3 of the housing 22 to provide user access for operating the biopsy driver 12. In other words, the trigger 30 is slidably coupled to the housing 22 and is user accessible from the exterior of the housing 22. The LED 28 is positioned in the proximal aperture 22-4 of the housing 22 and is visible to a user of the biopsy driver 12 through the proximal aperture 22-4. The LED 28 simultaneously provides a user with a visual indication of both the rotational speed of the drive shaft 20 of the motor 18 (e.g., via brightness of the LED illumination) and the current battery charge level of the battery power source 24 (e.g., via a color change). The LED 28 includes a green element 28-1 and a red element 28-2 (see FIG. 6 ).

[0018]

[0029] The battery power supply 24 is a DC power supply having a supply voltage V+. In this embodiment, the battery power supply 24 is a non-rechargeable and non-replaceable DC power supply used by the biopsy driver 12. When the available battery capacity of the battery power supply 24 is depleted, the user discards the entire biopsy driver 12. However, in alternative embodiments, the battery power supply 24 can be replaced with a rechargeable and / or replaceable DC power supply.

[0019]

[0030] Battery power source 24 may be, for example, an 18-volt (V) DC battery pack having one or more batteries. In this embodiment, for example, battery power source 24 may include six 3-volt model CR2 lithium batteries connected in series with LR4-450F fuses to provide a nominal battery pack voltage of 18 V as the initial power supply voltage V+. Battery power source 24 includes a positive terminal 24-1 and a negative terminal 24-2. Negative terminal 24-2 of battery power source 24 is selectively coupled to or disconnected from chassis ground 44 by trigger switch circuit 54.

[0020]

[0031] The battery power supply 24 electrically interfaces with the control module 26. In other words, the battery power supply 24 is electrically coupled to each of the motor 18 and the LED 28 via the control module 26. The nominal battery capacity (full charge) of the battery power supply 24 may be, for example, approximately 850 mAh. The depletion from a full charge, i.e., the depletion of the battery charge due to use of the biopsy driver 12, is referred to herein as the current battery charge level of the battery power supply 24.

[0021]

[0032] 4 and 5, the control module 26 includes a case 32 having a left case portion 34 and a right case portion 36. Referring to FIG. 5, the control module 26 includes a control circuit 38 housed in the case 32. The control circuit 38 is mounted to the housing 22 via the case 32 and is electrically coupled to the motor 18 (see also FIG. 6). The control circuit 38 includes a printed circuit board 38-1 on which the electronic components of the control circuit 38 are mounted. The LED 28 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 38-1 via an LED lead 28-3. The printed circuit board 38-1 includes a plurality of mounting holes 38-2.

[0022]

[0033] The right case portion 36 includes a trigger channel 36-1 sized and shaped to slidably support the trigger 30. More specifically, the sliding portion 30-1 of the trigger 30 is slidably positioned within the trigger channel 36-1. A spring 40 is received in a proximal portion of the trigger channel 36-1 and is positioned between a proximal end 30-2 of the trigger 30 and a proximal wall 36-2 of the trigger channel 36-1 to bias the trigger 30 in a distal direction 42. The right case portion 36 also includes a plurality of mounting posts 36-3 configured, for example, by size, shape, and spacing, to engage corresponding mounting holes 38-2 in a printed circuit board 38-1.

[0023]

[0034] The left case portion 34 is connected to the right case portion 36 via a plurality of snap-fit ​​members 34-1 and encloses a control circuit 38 and a sliding portion 30-1 of the trigger 30, which is slidably mounted to the case 32 of the control module 26.

[0024]

[0035] 6 shows a block diagram of the control circuit 38. In this embodiment, the control circuit 38 functions as an electrical interface between the battery power source 24 and the motor 18. The control circuit 38 includes a processor circuit 50, a battery protection circuit 52, a trigger switch circuit 54, a resistor network circuit 56, a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit 58, a logic circuit 60, a motor driver circuit 62, a battery depletion circuit 64, a DC-DC converter circuit 66, and the LED 28. Optionally, the components of the controller circuit 38 may be formed as one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0025]

[0036] Control circuit 38 is configured to control the operation of motor 18, to control the brightness of LED 28 in response to the duty cycle of variable pulse width signal S1 of PWM circuit 58 to indicate the rotational speed of motor 18, and to control the color of LED 28 to indicate the current battery charge level of battery power source 24. That is, the brightness of LED 28 increases as the rotational speed of motor 18 increases, the brightness of LED 28 decreases as the rotational speed of motor 18 decreases, and the color of LED 28 changes based on threshold events related to the current battery charge level of battery power source 24.

[0026]

[0037] The processor circuit 50 may be, for example, a microcontroller unit (MCU) such as an EFM8SB1, 8-bit MCU available from Silicon Labs (Austin, Texas, USA). The processor circuit 50 includes a programmable microprocessor 68 and associated circuits, such as input / output interfaces, clocks, buffers, and a memory circuit 70. The microprocessor 68 may be, for example, an 8051 core processor. The memory circuit 70 is communicatively coupled to the processor circuit 50 via, for example, internal bus circuit traces and is non-transitory electronic memory. The memory circuit 70 may include both volatile and non-volatile electronic memory. Such volatile electronic memory may be, for example, random access memory (RAM). Such non-volatile electronic memory may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM), electronically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, etc.

[0027]

[0038] DC-DC converter circuit 66 is electrically coupled to battery depletion circuit 64 via power bus 71, which provides supply voltage V+ to DC-DC converter circuit 66. DC-DC converter circuit 66 may be in the form of an ASIC configured to convert, or step down, supply voltage V+ to a 3.3 volt supply voltage for use in powering each of processor circuit 50, PWM circuit 58, and logic circuit 60 via power bus 72.

[0028]

[0039] Processor circuit 50 is communicatively coupled to logic circuit 60 via communication links 50-1 and 50-2. Processor circuit 50 generates two control signals S2 and S3, each having an enable state and a disable state. In this embodiment, processor circuit 50 generates a PWM output enable signal S2 (active high) and a low battery warning signal S3 (active high). The low battery warning signal S3 serves as an enable signal for red element 28-2.

[0029]

[0040] Each of the low capacity threshold, end of life threshold, and remaining battery charge value is stored in memory circuit 70, e.g., flash memory. The remaining battery charge value is periodically updated with the current battery charge level of battery power source 24, as determined by processor circuit 50 and battery depletion circuit 64.

[0030]

[0041] The low capacity threshold may be, for example, a hexadecimal value corresponding to a specified charge level to warn a user of a low battery. The low capacity threshold may be, for example, 70 percent of the total initial charge of the battery power source 24. For example, if the total initial capacity / charge of the battery power source 24 is 850 milliampere-hours (mAh), or equivalent, the low capacity threshold may be 255 mAh. Alternatively, these values ​​may represent coulombs, or ampere-seconds.

[0031]

[0042] The end-of-life threshold may be, for example, a hexadecimal value corresponding to a designated charge level that will terminate operation of the biopsy driver 12. The end-of-life threshold may be used to ensure that the biopsy driver 12 is not used beyond its intended lifespan, for example, to account for wear and / or material fatigue over time. The end-of-life threshold may be, for example, 80 percent of the total initial charge of the battery power source 24. For example, if the total initial charge of the battery power source 24 is 850 mAh, the end-of-life threshold may be 170 mAh. Alternatively, these values ​​may represent coulombs.

[0032]

[0043] Processor circuit 50 is configured, via software and / or firmware resident in memory circuit 70, to execute program instructions to perform functions associated with biopsy driver 12, such as providing enable / disable signals to logic circuit 60, selectively sending variable pulse width signal S1 that controls the rotational speed of motor 18 and / or illumination of red element 28-2 of LED 28, and monitoring charge depletion of battery power source 24.

[0033]

[0044] The battery protection circuit 52 is configured, for example, at the time of manufacture, to ensure that the polarity of the battery power source 24 is correct when connected to the control circuit 38. The biopsy driver 12 will not operate until the proper polarity of the battery power source 24 relative to the battery protection circuit 52 of the control circuit 38 is achieved.

[0034]

[0045] In this embodiment, the trigger switch circuit 54 is a multi-component slide switch configuration defining three switching operations, shown schematically in FIG. 6 as having a brake switch 54-1, a ground switch 54-2, and a resistance select switch 54-3. The first power input terminal 18-1 and the second power input terminal 18-2 of the motor 18 are selectively coupled to or decoupled from each other by the brake switch 54-1. The negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24 is selectively connected to or decoupled from the chassis ground 44 by the ground switch 54-2. The output resistance of the resistor network circuit 56 is selected based on the linear position of the resistance select switch 54-3.

[0035]

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the trigger switch circuit 54 has an off state and an on state.

[0036]

[0047] When the trigger switch circuit 54 is in an off state, the trigger switch circuit 54 is configured to disconnect the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24 from chassis ground 44 and connect the first power input terminal 18-1 of the motor 18 to the second power input terminal 18-2 of the motor 18 to facilitate short-circuit braking of the motor 18. In the off state, the braking switch 54-1 is closed and the ground switch 54-2 and the resistance select switch 54-3 are both open.

[0037]

[0048] When the trigger switch circuit 54 is in an on state, the trigger switch circuit 54 connects the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power supply 24 to chassis ground 44 and is configured to select a resistance value from the resistor network circuit 56 to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal S1 generated by the PWM circuit 58. In the on state, the brake switch 54-1 is open, and the ground switch 54-2 and the resistor selection switch 54-3 are both closed. Note that the trigger switch circuit 54 is configured so that the brake switch 54-1 opens before either the ground switch 54-2 or the resistor selection switch 54-3 closes, allowing the timing of the initial closure of the ground switch 54-2 and the resistor selection switch 54-3 to be staggered.

[0038]

[0049] The trigger switch circuit 54 is discussed in more detail below.

[0050] The resistor network circuit 56 includes a plurality of resistors connected in series, such as resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 shown in FIG. 8. The plurality of resistors connected in series define a plurality of resistor sets. A resistor output 56-1 of the resistor network circuit 56 is connected to an input 58-1 of the PWM circuit 58. A resistance value selected from the resistor network circuit 56 by the resistor selection switch 54-3 of the trigger switch circuit 54 is used to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal S1 generated by the PWM circuit 58.

[0039]

[0051] The PWM circuit 58 is configured to generate a variable pulse-width signal S1 and control the rotational speed of the motor 18 based on the duty cycle of the variable pulse-width signal S1. The PWM circuit 58 has an output 58-2 electrically coupled to the green element 28-1 of the LED 28 such that the brightness (i.e., light intensity) of the green element 28-1 of the LED 28 depends on the duty cycle of the variable pulse-width signal S1. The output 58-2 of the PWM circuit 58 is also electrically coupled to each of the red element 28-2 of the LED 28 and a motor driver circuit 62 via a logic circuit 60, which selectively and independently supplies (e.g., sends) the variable pulse-width signal S1 to each of the red element 28-2 of the LED 28 and the motor driver circuit 62. Thus, the PWM circuit 58 is communicatively coupled to each of the green element 28-1 of the LED 28 and the red element 28-2 of the LED 28.

[0040]

[0052] Selection of the resistors in resistor network circuit 56 selects the duty cycle of variable pulse width signal S1 generated by PWM circuit 58. Variable pulse width signal S1 generated by PWM circuit 58 is also provided to green element 28-1 of LED 28 and to logic input 60-1 of logic circuit 60.

[0041]

[0053] Logic circuit 60 is electrically interposed between PWM circuit 58 and motor 18. Logic circuit 60, according to one embodiment, is configured to selectively send variable pulse width signal S1 to motor 18. Logic circuit 60, according to another embodiment, is configured to control illumination of red element 28-2 of LED 28.

[0042]

[0054] In this embodiment, the logic circuit 60 may be formed, for example, by two two-input AND gates. The logic circuit 60 has two outputs: a PWM output 60-2 and a logic output 60-3. One input of each of the two AND gates is electrically connected to a logic input 60-1 of the logic circuit 60. The other input of one of the two AND gates is electrically connected to a logic input 60-4 of the logic circuit 60, and the other input of the other of the two AND gates is electrically connected to a logic input 60-5 of the logic circuit 60. The logic input 60-4 of the logic circuit 60 is communicatively coupled to the processor circuit 50 and receives a PWM output enable signal S2 to turn on the PWM output 60-2, causing the logic circuit 60 to send a variable pulse width signal S1 to the motor driver circuit 62. A logic input 60-5 of logic circuit 60 is communicatively coupled to processor circuit 50 to receive low battery warning signal S3 and selectively turn on logic output 60-3, causing logic circuit 60 to send a variable pulse width signal S1 to red element 28-2 of LED 28.

[0043]

[0055] Motor driver circuit 62 is electrically connected to battery drain circuit 64 via power bus 74 and receives power supply voltage V+ to power the electrical / electronic components of motor driver circuit 62. Motor driver circuit 62 includes power transistor components that convert variable pulse-width signal S1 generated by PWM circuit 58 into a motor speed control signal S4, for example, having a pulse amplitude at a desired voltage level (e.g., V+) and the same duty cycle as variable pulse-width signal S1. Motor driver circuit 62 may also include motor protection circuitry, as known in the art. In one embodiment, for example, motor driver circuit 62 may include a half H-bridge gate driver that controls two MOSFET components to generate motor speed control signal S4 according to variable pulse-width signal S1 generated by PWM circuit 58 and sent by logic circuit 60. The half H-bridge gate driver enables or disables each MOSFET component as needed to implement motor speed control signal S4 corresponding to variable pulse-width signal S1 generated by PWM circuit 58.

[0044]

[0056] Battery depletion circuit 64 is configured to determine the current battery charge level of battery power source 24. Battery depletion circuit 64 may be, for example, an ASIC that provides a current measurement input to processor circuit 50. Battery depletion circuit 64 is communicatively coupled to processor circuit 50 via a bidirectional communication link 76. Bidirectional communication link 76 may be formed, for example, by electrical interface circuitry and circuit traces on printed circuit board 38-1.

[0045]

[0057] Battery depletion circuit 64 includes a sense resistor 78 (e.g., 2.0 Ω) connected in series with positive terminal 24-1 of battery power source 24. Current through sense resistor 78 is measured over time to determine a calculated battery capacity depletion of battery power source 24. Battery depletion circuit 64 provides real-time readings of the sensed current measurements to processor circuit 50, from which processor circuit 50 calculates a current battery charge level of battery power source 24 that is stored in memory circuit 70. Battery depletion circuit 64 is communicatively coupled to red element 28-2 of LED 28 via processor circuit 50 and logic circuit 60.

[0046]

[0058] Processor circuit 50 is configured to execute program instructions to sample sense resistor 78 over time to calculate a current battery charge level, for example, in milliamp-hours (mAh), of battery power source 24. Processor circuit 50 further executes program instructions to update the remaining battery charge value stored in memory circuit 70 with the current battery charge level. Stated another way, the current battery charge level of battery power source 24 can be used to continuously and periodically update the remaining battery charge value stored in memory circuit 70.

[0047]

[0059] Processor circuit 50 is configured to execute program instructions to generate and send a control signal in the form of PWM output enable signal S2 to logic circuit 60, PWM output enable signal S2 having an enable state for enabling PWM output 60-2 of logic circuit 60 and a disable state for disabling PWM output 60-2 of logic circuit 60. Processor circuit 50 is configured to execute program instructions to generate the enable state of PWM output enable signal S2 when the remaining battery charge value is greater than an end-of-life threshold, causing logic circuit 60 to enable PWM output 60-2 of logic circuit 60, which in turn causes logic circuit 60 to send variable pulse width signal S1 to motor 18 via motor driver circuit 62. Additionally, processor circuit 50 is configured to execute program instructions to generate a disabled state for PWM output enable signal S2 when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the end-of-life threshold, causing logic circuit 60 to disable PWM output 60-2 of logic circuit 60, thereby causing logic circuit 60 to not send variable pulse width signal S1 to motor 18, effectively disabling motor 18.

[0048]

[0060] In one embodiment, for example, a power cycle for supplying power to motor 18 is initiated by activation of trigger 30. At the start of each power cycle, processor circuit 50 is configured to execute program instructions to implement a logic sequence that does not send a variable pulse width signal to the motor when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the end-of-life threshold. Thus, the current power cycle is allowed to complete without interruption regardless of the battery charge level. However, when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the end-of-life threshold, subsequent power cycles are inhibited. In other words, processor circuit 50 is configured to allow the current power cycle to complete without interruption regardless of the battery charge level, but inhibit subsequent power cycles when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the end-of-life threshold.

[0049]

[0061] The processor circuit 50 further executes the program instructions to generate a control signal in the form of a low battery warning signal S3 having an enabled state and a disabled state, the low battery warning signal S3 being in an enabled state when the remaining battery charge value is below (below) a low capacity threshold, and enabling illumination of the red element 28-2 of the LED 28 by a variable pulse width signal S1 generated by the PWM circuit 58, the brightness of the illumination of the red element 28-2 of the LED 28 depending on the duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal S1.

[0050]

[0062] Referring to FIG. 7, the opposite side of the printed circuit board 38-1 of the control circuit 38 and the trigger 30 from that shown in FIG. 5 is shown, with the trigger 30 projected away from the printed circuit board 38-1 for clarity. The trigger switch circuit 54 of the control circuit 38 includes a circuit trace configuration 80 and a movable contact element 82 (see also FIGS. 9 and 10). The circuit trace configuration 80 and the movable contact element 82 are each made of a conductive metal. The trigger 30 may be made of an electrically insulating material, such as a non-conductive plastic. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the movable contact element 82 is mechanically connected to the trigger 30.

[0051]

[0063] 7 and 8 , the circuit trace configuration 80 of the trigger switch circuit 54 has a plurality of elongated electrical contact rows 84. The plurality of elongated electrical contact rows 84 includes a first elongated electrical contact row 86, a second elongated electrical contact row 88, and a third elongated electrical contact row 90. The first elongated electrical contact row 86 is positioned as a central trace within the circuit trace configuration 80 to define an intermediate ground between the second elongated electrical contact row 88 and the third elongated electrical contact row 90. The second elongated electrical contact row 88 is laterally spaced apart and electrically isolated (i.e., insulated) from the first elongated electrical contact row 86. Similarly, the third elongated electrical contact row 90 is laterally spaced apart and electrically isolated (i.e., insulated) from the first elongated electrical contact row 86.

[0052]

[0064] 10 and 11 , an off position range 92 and an on position range 94 of the trigger switch circuit 54 are defined perpendicular to the first, second, and third elongated electrical contact rows 86, 88, and 90 of the circuit trace configuration 80. The off position range 92 includes a home position 92-1, which is an off position corresponding to when the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are fully biased distally by the spring 40 (see FIG. 5 ). FIG. 10 shows the movable contact element 82 in the home position 92-1 of the off position range 92. Referring to FIG. 11 in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 5, and 7, depressing (e.g., pulling) the trigger 30 moves the movable contact element 82 from the off position range 92 to the on position range 94. FIG. 11 shows the movable contact element 82 at the maximum motor rotation speed position 94-1 of the ON position range 94, ie, the trigger 30 is fully squeezed by the user of the biopsy driver 12.

[0053]

[0065] Anywhere in the OFF position range 92 of the trigger switch circuit 54, the longitudinal position of the movable contact element 82 relative to the circuit trace arrangement 80 disconnects the chassis ground 44 from the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24, and therefore no power is supplied to the motor 18. Additionally, when the movable contact element 82 is in a home position 92-1 of the OFF position range 92, the movable contact element 82 facilitates an electrical short between the first power input terminal 18-1 of the motor 18 and the second power input terminal 18-2 of the motor 18, facilitating short-circuit (dynamic) braking of the motor 18. The OFF position range 92 is provided to ensure that the first power input terminal 18-1 of the motor 18 is not shorted to the second power input terminal 18-2 of the motor 18 prior to establishing power to the motor 18 in the ON position range 94 of the trigger switch circuit 54.

[0054]

[0066] 8 , anywhere in the on position range 94, the longitudinal position of the movable contact element 82 relative to the circuit trace configuration 80 selectively and movably connects the chassis ground 44 to the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24, thereby making power available to the motor 18. Referring also to FIG. 8 , anywhere in the on position range 94, the longitudinal position of the movable contact element 82 relative to the circuit trace configuration 80 selectively connects the chassis ground 44 to one of a plurality of sets of series-connected resistors R1, R2, R3, R4 of the resistor network circuit 56: set (R1, R2, R3, R4); set (R2, R3, R4); set (R3, R4); set (R4); set (no R), selecting a resistance value to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse-width signal S1 generated by the PWM circuit 58, which in turn is used to select the rotational speed of the motor 18.

[0055]

[0067] 8, the first elongated electrical contact array 86 includes a first electrical contact strip 86-1 and a first electrical contact pad 86-2. The first electrical contact pad 86-2 is longitudinally spaced apart from and electrically isolated (i.e., insulated) from the first electrical contact strip 86-1, defining a first gap 86-3. The first electrical contact strip 86-1 is connected to chassis ground 44. The first electrical contact pad 86-2 is electrically connected to a first power input terminal 18-1 (e.g., the negative terminal) of the motor 18.

[0056]

[0068] The second elongated electrical contact array 88 includes a second electrical contact strip 88-1 and a second electrical contact pad 88-2. The second electrical contact pad 88-2 is longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated (i.e., insulated) from the second electrical contact strip 88-1, defining a second gap 88-3. The second electrical contact strip 88-1 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated (i.e., insulated) electrical contact segments 96 configured to facilitate selection of the rotational speed of the motor 18. In this embodiment, the plurality of electrical contact segments 96 includes segment 96-1, segment 96-2, segment 96-3, segment 96-4, and segment 96-5. The second electrical contact pad 88-2 is electrically connected to a second power input terminal 18-2 (e.g., a positive terminal) of the motor 18.

[0057]

[0069] The resistor network circuit 56 is formed by a plurality of series-connected resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4. Each of the resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 may have a resistance of, for example, 4.7 kΩ. Each of the series-connected resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 bridges an insulating gap between adjacent pairs of the plurality of electrical contact segments 96. In other words, the series-connected resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 define a plurality of resistor sets, namely, set (R1, R2, R3, R4); set (R2, R3, R4); set (R3, R4); set (R4); and set (no R), each of which is associated with one of the plurality of electrical contact segments 96. Set (no R) refers to a set without any of the resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4. For example, selecting segment 96-1 selects resistor set (R1, R2, R3, R4), selecting segment 96-3 selects resistor set (R3, R4), and selecting segment 96-5 selects resistor set (no R). The selected resistor set establishes resistance values ​​for PWM circuit 58 to generate variable pulse width signal S1 used to select the rotational speed of motor 18.

[0058]

[0070] The third elongated electrical contact array 90 includes a third electrical contact strip 90-1 that is longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated (i.e., insulated) from a portion of the first electrical contact pad 86-2 and laterally spaced apart and electrically isolated (i.e., insulated) from the first electrical contact strip 86-1. The third electrical contact strip 90-1 is connected to the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24.

[0059]

[0071] 7 and 9-12, the movable contact element 82 is a unitary metal structure having a plurality of contact prongs 98 cantilevered outward from a body 100. In this embodiment, the plurality of contact prongs 98 includes a first electrical contact prong 98-1, a second electrical contact prong 98-2, and a third electrical contact prong 98-3. The second electrical contact prong 98-2 is spaced laterally from the first electrical contact prong 98-1, the third electrical contact prong 98-3 is spaced laterally from the first electrical contact prong 98-1, and the first electrical contact prong 98-1, the second electrical contact prong 98-2, and the third electrical contact prong 98-3 are permanently electrically connected. In this embodiment, the first electrical contact prong 98-1, the second electrical contact prong 98-2, and the third electrical contact prong 98-3 are each configured as a split fork to provide a pair of contact surfaces.

[0060]

[0072] 10 and 11 , a first electrical contact prong 98-1 of the movable contact element 82 is aligned to electrically engage with and move along the first row of elongated electrical contacts 86. A second electrical contact prong 98-2 of the movable contact element 82 is aligned to electrically engage with and move along the second row of elongated electrical contacts 88. A third electrical contact prong 98-3 of the movable contact element 82 is aligned to electrically engage with and move along the third row of elongated electrical contacts 90.

[0061]

[0073] 10-12 in conjunction with FIGS. 7-9, the first electrical contact prong 98-1 is positioned for sliding engagement with the first elongated electrical contact row 86. The trigger 30 is configured to slidably move the first electrical contact prong 98-1 along the first electrical contact strip 86-1 to physically move the electrical connection between the first electrical contact prong 98-1 of the movable contact element 82 and the chassis ground 44.

[0062]

[0074] 7-10, when the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are in the off position range 92, the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24 is not coupled to the chassis ground 44, and no power is supplied to the control circuit 38. In this embodiment, when the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are in the home position 92-1 of the off position range 92 (see FIG. 10), the first electrical contact prong 98-1 is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact pad 86-2, and the second electrical contact prong 98-2 is electrically engaged with the second electrical contact pad 88-2, which, referring to FIG. 8, electrically shorts the first power input terminal 18-1 of the motor 18 to the second power input terminal 18-2 of the motor 18, facilitating short-circuit braking of the motor 18.

[0063]

[0075] 7-9 and 11 , when the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are in the on position range 94, the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24 is coupled to the chassis ground 44, and power is supplied to the control circuit 38. With respect to the trigger switch circuit 54, in this embodiment, when the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are in the on position range 94, the first electrical contact prong 98-1 is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact strip 86-1, and the second electrical contact prong 98-2 is electrically engaged with a particular segment of the plurality of longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated electrical contact segments 96 to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal S1 generated by the PWM circuit 58 and thereby select the rotational speed of the motor 18. Additionally, when the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are in the on position range 94, the first electrical contact prong 98-1 is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact strip 86-1 and the third electrical contact prong 98-3 is electrically engaged with the third electrical contact strip 90-1, which, referring to FIG. 8, connects the negative terminal 24-2 of the battery power source 24 to the chassis ground 44, facilitating the supply of power to the control circuit 38 via the battery drain circuit 64 (see also FIG. 6).

[0064]

[0076] 8, 10, and 11, the spacing (gap 86-3) between the first electrical contact strip 86-1 and the first electrical contact pad 86-2 of the first elongated electrical contact row 86 is greater than the spacing (gap 88-3) between the second electrical contact strip 88-1 and the second electrical contact pad 88-2 of the second elongated electrical contact row 88. When the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are in the home position 92-1 of the off position range 92 (see FIG. 10), the first electrical contact prong 98-1 is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact pad 86-2, and the second electrical contact prong 98-2 is electrically engaged with the second electrical contact pad 88-2, electrically shorting the first power input terminal 18-1 of the motor 18 to the second power input terminal 18-2 of the motor 18 to facilitate short-circuit braking of the motor 18.

[0065]

[0077] As the trigger 30 and the movable contact element 82 are moved from the off position range 92 toward the on position range 94, the second electrical contact prong 98-2 of the movable contact element 82 electrically engages with the first segment 96-1 of the second electrical contact strip 88-1 of the second elongated electrical contact row 88 before the first electrical contact prong 98-1 of the movable contact element 82 electrically engages with the first electrical contact strip 86-1 of the first elongated electrical contact row 86, and before the third electrical contact prong 98-3 of the movable contact element 82 electrically engages with the third electrical contact strip 90-1 of the first elongated electrical contact row 86, ensuring that the rotational speed of the motor 18 is selected via the resistive network circuit 56 before connecting the battery power source 24 to chassis ground 44 (see FIG. 8) for powering the control circuit 38 (see also FIG. 6).

[0066]

[0078] The following also pertains to the present invention:

[0079] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a biopsy driver. The biopsy driver may include a housing. A battery power source may be contained within the housing. The battery power source may have a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The negative terminal may be (configured to be) selectively coupled to and / or decoupled from chassis ground. A motor may be contained within the housing. The motor may have a drive shaft. The motor may have a first power input terminal and a second power input terminal. A trigger may be coupled to the housing and accessible from the exterior of the housing. A control circuit may be attached to the housing and may be electrically coupled to the motor. The control circuit may have a trigger switch circuit, a resistor network circuit, and a pulse width modulation circuit. The trigger switch circuit may have an off state and an on state. The resistor network circuit may be coupled to an input of the pulse width modulation circuit. The pulse width modulation circuit may be configured to generate a variable pulse width signal to control the rotational speed of the motor. The biopsy driver may be configured such that, when the trigger switch circuit is in an on state, the trigger switch circuit may be configured to connect the negative terminal of the battery power source to chassis ground, and may be configured to select a resistance value from the resistor network circuit to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal generated by the pulse width modulation circuit.

[0067]

[0080] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, when the trigger switch circuit is in an off state, the trigger switch circuit may be configured to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery power source from chassis ground and connect the first power input terminal of the motor and the second power input terminal of the motor to facilitate short circuit braking of the motor.

[0068]

[0081] In some embodiments, the control circuit may include a light-emitting diode (LED) having a first color element and a second color element. The first color element is visually distinguishable from the second color element. The battery depletion circuit may be configured to determine a current battery charge level of the battery source. The battery depletion circuit may be communicatively coupled to the second color element of the LED. A pulse-width modulation circuit may be electrically coupled to each of the first color element of the LED and the second color element of the LED. The control circuit may be configured to control the brightness of the LED in response to a duty cycle of the variable pulse-width signal to indicate a rotational speed of the motor, and may be configured to control the color of the LED to indicate a current battery charge level of the battery power source.

[0069]

[0082] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the control circuit may include a processor circuit that may have a microprocessor circuit and a memory circuit and that may have a low-capacity threshold and a remaining battery charge value stored in the memory circuit. The battery depletion circuit may be communicatively coupled to the processor circuit. The battery depletion circuit may have a sense resistor connected in series with a positive terminal of a battery power source. The processor circuit may be configured to execute program instructions to sample the sense resistor over time to calculate a current battery charge level of the battery source, to execute program instructions to update the remaining battery charge value stored in the memory circuit with the current battery charge, and to execute program instructions to generate a low battery warning signal that may have an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the low-capacity threshold, the low battery warning signal is in an enabled state and enables illumination of a second color element of the LED with a variable pulse-width signal, the brightness of the illumination of the second color element of the LED depending on the duty cycle of the variable pulse-width signal.

[0070]

[0083] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, a logic circuit may be interposed between the pulse width modulation circuit and the motor. The logic circuit may be configured to selectively send a variable pulse width signal to the motor. The processor circuit may be communicatively coupled to the logic circuit. The control circuit may have an end-of-life threshold stored in the memory circuit. The processor circuit may be configured to execute program instructions to send a control signal to the logic circuit. The control signal may have an enable state for enabling a PWM output of the logic circuit and may have a disable state for disabling the PWM output of the logic circuit. The processor circuit may be configured to execute program instructions to generate the enable state of the control signal when the remaining battery charge value is greater than the end-of-life threshold, causing the logic circuit to enable the PWM output of the logic circuit, thereby sending the variable pulse width signal to the motor. The processor circuit may be configured to execute program instructions to generate a disabled state of the control signal when the remaining battery charge value is less than or equal to the end-of-life threshold, and the logic circuit disables the PWM output of the logic circuit, such that the logic circuit does not send a variable pulse width signal to the motor to disable the motor.

[0071]

[0084] In either embodiment, the resistive network circuit may include a plurality of resistors connected in series, which may define a plurality of resistor sets. The trigger switch circuit may include a circuit trace configuration and a movable contact element, where a longitudinal position of the movable contact element relative to the circuit trace configuration selectively connects chassis ground to one of the plurality of resistor sets consisting of the plurality of series connected resistors, and selects a resistance value to select a desired duty cycle of a variable pulse width signal generated by a pulse width modulation circuit, thereby selecting a rotational speed of the motor.

[0072]

[0085] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the circuit trace configuration may have a plurality of rows of elongated electrical contacts. The plurality of rows of elongated electrical contacts may include a first row of elongated electrical contacts that may have a first electrical contact strip connected to chassis ground. The movable contact element may have a plurality of contact prongs. The movable contact element may be mechanically connected to a trigger. The plurality of contact prongs may have a first electrical contact prong positioned to slidingly engage with the first row of elongated electrical contacts. The trigger may be configured to slidably move the first electrical contact prong along the first electrical contact strip to physically and slidably move the electrical connection between the first electrical contact prong of the movable contact element and chassis ground.

[0073]

[0086] In embodiments according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the trigger and movable contact element may have an off position range associated with an off state (i.e., a position range associated with an off state) and may have an on position range associated with an on state (i.e., a position range associated with an on state). The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and movable contact element are in the off position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is not coupled to chassis ground and power is not supplied to the control circuitry. The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and movable contact element are in the on position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is coupled to chassis ground and power is supplied to the control circuitry.

[0074]

[0087] In the embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element may include a second electrical contact prong laterally spaced from the first electrical contact prong. The second electrical contact prong may be permanently electrically connected to the first electrical contact prong. The plurality of elongated electrical contact rows may include a second elongated electrical contact row laterally spaced from the first elongated electrical contact row, and the second electrical contact prong of the movable contact element is aligned to electrically engage with and move along the second elongated electrical contact row. The second elongated electrical contact row may have a second electrical contact strip that may have a plurality of longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated electrical contact segments configured to facilitate selection of a rotational speed of the motor. The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with a particular segment of the plurality of longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated electrical contact segments to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal generated by the pulse width modulation circuit to select a rotational speed of the motor.

[0075]

[0088] In the embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the plurality of elongated electrical contact rows of the control circuit may include a third elongated electrical contact row, which may have a third electrical contact strip laterally spaced apart from the first electrical contact strip. The third electrical contact strip may be connected to a negative terminal of the battery power source. The plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element may include a third electrical contact prong electrically connected to each of the first and second electrical contact prongs. The third electrical contact prong may be electrically engaged with the third elongated electrical contact row and positioned to move along the third elongated electrical contact row. The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the third electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the third electrical contact strip to connect the negative terminal of the battery power source to chassis ground and facilitate powering the control circuit.

[0076]

[0089] In embodiments according to either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs, the first elongated electrical contact array may have a first electrical contact pad longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated from the first electrical contact strip to define a first gap. The first electrical contact pad may be electrically connected to a first power input terminal of the motor. The second elongated electrical contact array may have a second electrical contact pad longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated from the second electrical contact strip to define a second gap. The second electrical contact pad may be electrically connected to a second power input terminal of the motor. The biopsy driver may be configured such that, when the trigger and the movable contact element are in an off position range, the first electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact pad and the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the second electrical contact pad, electrically shorting the first power input terminal of the motor to the second power input terminal of the motor to facilitate short-circuit braking of the motor.

[0077]

[0090] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the trigger switch circuit (and biopsy driver) may be configured such that a third electrical contact strip of the third elongated electrical contact row is longitudinally spaced (and electrically isolated) from a portion of the first electrical contact pad by a first gap. The first gap may be larger than the second gap. The biopsy driver may be configured such that, when the trigger and movable contact element are moved from an off position range toward the on position, a second electrical contact prong of the movable contact element electrically engages a first segment of a second electrical contact strip of the second elongated electrical contact row before the first electrical contact prong of the movable contact element electrically engages the first electrical contact strip of the first elongated electrical contact row, and before the third electrical contact prong of the movable contact element electrically engages the third electrical contact strip of the first elongated electrical contact row, to ensure that a rotational speed of the motor is selected before powering the control circuit.

[0078]

[0091] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a biopsy system comprising an intraosseous device and a biopsy driver according to any of the preceding paragraphs. The intraosseous device may be (configured to be) mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a motor.

[0079]

[0092] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a biopsy driver including a housing. A battery power source may be contained within the housing. The battery power source may have a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The negative terminal may be selectively coupled (configured to be) to chassis ground. A motor may be contained within the housing. The motor may have a drive shaft. The motor may have a first power input terminal and a second power input terminal. A trigger may be coupled to the housing and accessible from the exterior of the housing. A control circuit may be attached to the housing and may be electrically coupled to the motor. The control circuit may have a trigger switch circuit that may have a circuit trace configuration and a movable contact element. The circuit trace configuration may have a plurality of elongated electrical contact arrays. The movable contact element may have a plurality of contact prongs. The movable contact element may be mechanically connected to the trigger. The plurality of elongated electrical contact arrays may include a first elongated electrical contact array that may have a first electrical contact strip connected to chassis ground. The plurality of contact prongs can have a first electrical contact prong positioned for sliding engagement with the first elongated electrical contact row, and the trigger can be configured to slidably move the first electrical contact prong along the first electrical contact strip to physically move the electrical connection between the first electrical contact prong of the movable contact element and the chassis ground.

[0080]

[0093] In embodiments according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the trigger and movable contact element may have an off position range (i.e., a position range associated with an off state) and may also have an on position range (i.e., a position range associated with an on state). The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and movable contact element are in the off position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is not coupled to chassis ground and power is not provided to the control circuitry. The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and movable contact element are in the on position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is coupled to chassis ground and power is provided to the control circuitry.

[0081]

[0094] In the embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element may include a second electrical contact prong laterally spaced apart from the first electrical contact prong. The second electrical contact prong may be permanently electrically connected to the first electrical contact prong. The plurality of elongated electrical contact rows may include a second elongated electrical contact row laterally spaced apart from the first electrical contact row. The second electrical contact prong of the movable contact element is aligned to electrically engage with and move along the second elongated electrical contact row. The second elongated electrical contact row may have a second electrical contact strip that may have a plurality of longitudinally spaced, electrically isolated electrical contact segments configured to facilitate selection of a rotational speed of the motor. The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with a particular segment of the plurality of longitudinally spaced electrical contact segments to select a rotational speed of the motor.

[0082]

[0095] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the control circuit may include a battery depletion circuit configured to determine a current battery charge level of the battery source. The plurality of elongated electrical contact rows of the control circuit may include a third elongated electrical contact row, which may have a third electrical contact strip laterally spaced apart from the first electrical contact strip. The plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element may include a third electrical contact prong electrically connected to each of the first and second electrical contact prongs. The third electrical contact prong may be electrically engaged with the third elongated electrical contact row and positioned to move along the third elongated electrical contact row. The biopsy driver may be configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in an on position range, the third electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the third electrical contact strip to connect a negative terminal of the battery power source to chassis ground and facilitate powering the battery depletion circuit.

[0083]

[0096] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the control circuit includes a light-emitting diode (LED), which may have a green element and a red element. The battery drain circuit may be communicatively coupled to the red element of the LED. The pulse-width modulation circuit may be electrically coupled to each of the green element of the LED and the red element of the LED. The control circuit (and biopsy driver) may be configured to control the brightness of the LED in response to the duty cycle of the variable pulse-width signal to indicate the rotational speed of the motor, and may be configured to control the color of the LED to indicate a current battery charge level of the battery power source.

[0084]

[0097] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the control circuit may comprise a processor circuit that may have a microprocessor circuit and a memory circuit, and that may have a low-capacity threshold and a remaining battery charge value stored in the memory circuit. The battery depletion circuit may include a sense resistor connected in series with the positive terminal of the battery power source. The processor circuit may be configured to execute program instructions to sample the sense resistor over time to calculate a current battery charge level of the battery source and update the remaining battery charge value stored in the memory circuit of the processor circuit. The processor circuit may be configured to execute program instructions to provide a low-battery warning signal to a red element of the light-emitting diode when the remaining battery charge value is at or below the low-capacity threshold.

[0085]

[0098] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, the control circuit may include an end-of-life threshold stored in a memory circuit of the processor circuit, and the processor circuit may be configured to execute program instructions to prevent sending the variable pulse width signal to the motor when the remaining battery charge value is at or below the end-of-life threshold.

[0086]

[0099] In an embodiment according to any of the immediately preceding five paragraphs, the first elongated electrical contact array may have a first electrical contact pad longitudinally spaced apart from and electrically isolated from the first electrical contact strip. The first electrical contact pad may be electrically connected to a first power input terminal of the motor. The second elongated electrical contact array may have a second electrical contact pad longitudinally spaced apart from and electrically isolated from the second electrical contact strip. The second electrical contact pad may be electrically connected to a second power input terminal of the motor. The biopsy driver may be configured such that, when the trigger and the movable contact element are in an off position range, the first electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact pad and the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the second electrical contact pad, electrically shorting the first power input terminal of the motor to the second power input terminal of the motor to facilitate short-circuit braking of the motor.

[0087]

[0100] In an embodiment according to the immediately preceding paragraph, a third electrical contact strip of the third elongated row of electrical contacts may be longitudinally spaced apart (and electrically isolated) from a portion of the first electrical contact pad.

[0088]

[0101] In embodiments according to either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs, the spacing between the first electrical contact strip and the first electrical contact pad of the first elongated electrical contact array may be greater than the spacing between the second electrical contact strip and the second electrical contact pad of the second elongated electrical contact array.

[0089]

[0102] In some embodiments, a power cycle for powering the motor may be initiated by activation of a trigger. The control circuit includes a processor circuit that may have a microprocessor circuit and a memory circuit and may have a remaining battery charge value stored in the memory circuit. The battery depletion circuit may be configured to determine a current battery charge level of the battery source. An end-of-life threshold may be stored in the memory circuit of the processor circuit. The processor circuit may be configured to complete a current power cycle without interruption regardless of the battery charge level, but to inhibit subsequent power cycles when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the end-of-life threshold.

[0090]

[0103] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a biopsy system comprising an intraosseous device and a biopsy driver according to any of the preceding eleven paragraphs. The intraosseous device may be (configured to be) mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a motor.

[0091]

[0104] As used herein, the term "coupled" and its derivatives are electrical and / or mechanical couplings intended to encompass any operative functional connection, i.e., direct connection (e.g., without intervening components) or indirect connection (e.g., with intervening components). The term "selectively coupled" refers to selecting between coupling and decoupling, e.g., coupling or decoupling is achieved by a switch component. The term "communicatively coupled" refers to an electrical coupling that can be used to carry data and / or switchable voltage levels.

[0092]

[0105] Words of degree, such as approximately, are relative modifiers intended to indicate an acceptable variation from the property they modify. Such terms are not intended to be limited to the absolute value of the property they modify, but rather, to the contrary, to have more of, approach, or approximate such physical or functional property.

[0093]

[0106] While the invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Housing and a battery power supply contained within the housing, the battery power supply having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the negative terminal being selectively coupled to or decoupled from chassis ground; a motor contained within the housing, the motor having a drive shaft and having a first power input terminal and a second power input terminal; a trigger coupled to the housing and accessible from outside the housing; a control circuit mounted to the housing and electrically coupled to the motor, the control circuit having a trigger switch circuit, a resistor network circuit, and a pulse width modulation circuit, the trigger switch circuit having an off state and an on state, the resistor network circuit coupled to an input of the pulse width modulation circuit, the pulse width modulation circuit configured to generate a variable pulse width signal to control a rotational speed of the motor; A biopsy driver comprising: When the trigger switch circuit is in the on state, the trigger switch circuit a ground switch connecting the negative terminal of the battery power source to the chassis ground is closed to supply power to the control circuit, a resistor selection switch is closed, and a braking switch disposed between the first power input terminal of the motor and the second power input terminal of the motor is opened to disconnect the first power input terminal and the second power input terminal from each other; When the resistor selection switch is closed, a resistance value can be selected from the resistor network circuit to select a desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal generated by the pulse width modulation circuit. a biopsy driver configured to:

2. When the trigger switch circuit is in the off state, the trigger switch circuit: disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery power source from the chassis ground so that the ground switch and the resistor select switch are open and no power is supplied to the control circuit; connecting the first power input terminal of the motor to the second power input terminal of the motor, and closing the braking switch to facilitate short-circuit braking of the motor; The biopsy driver of claim 1 , configured to:

3. The control circuit a light emitting diode (LED) having a first color element and a second color element, the first color element being visually distinguishable from the second color element; a battery depletion circuit configured to determine a current battery charge level of the battery power source, the battery depletion circuit communicatively coupled to the second color element of the LED; the pulse width modulation circuit electrically coupled to each of the first color element of the LED and the second color element of the LED; Equipped with the control circuit is configured to control the brightness of the LED in response to the duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal to indicate the rotational speed of the motor, and to control the color of the LED to indicate the current battery charge level of the battery power source. A biopsy driver according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control circuit a processor circuit having a microprocessor circuit and a memory circuit, the processor circuit having a low capacity threshold and a battery remaining charge value stored in the memory circuit; the battery depletion circuit communicatively coupled to the processor circuit, the battery depletion circuit having a sense resistor connected in series with the positive terminal of the battery power source; Furthermore, the processor circuitry comprises: Executing program instructions to sample the sense resistor over time to calculate a current battery charge level of the battery power source; Executing program instructions to update the remaining battery charge value stored in the memory circuit with the current battery charge level; configured to execute program instructions to generate a low battery warning signal having an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the low capacity threshold, the low battery warning signal is in the enabled state and enables illumination of the second color element of the LED with the variable pulse width signal, and the brightness of the illumination of the second color element of the LED depends on the duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal. The biopsy driver of claim 3 .

5. a logic circuit interposed between the pulse width modulation circuit and the motor, the logic circuit configured to selectively send the variable pulse width signal to the motor; a processor circuit communicatively coupled to the logic circuit and to the control circuit having an end-of-life threshold stored in the memory circuit, the processor circuit configured to execute program instructions to send control signals to the logic circuit, the control signals having an enable state for enabling a PWM output of the logic circuit and a disable state for disabling the PWM output of the logic circuit; the processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to generate the enabled state of the control signal when the remaining battery charge value is greater than the end-of-life threshold, and the logic circuit enables the PWM output of the logic circuit, thereby causing the logic circuit to send the variable pulse width signal to the motor; the processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to generate the disabled state of the control signal when the battery state of charge value is less than or equal to the end of life threshold, and the logic circuit disables the PWM output of the logic circuit, such that the logic circuit does not send the variable pulse width signal to the motor to disable the motor; The biopsy driver of claim 4 .

6. the resistor network circuit including a plurality of resistors connected in series, the plurality of resistors connected in series defining a plurality of resistor sets; the trigger switch circuit including a circuit trace arrangement and a movable contact element, wherein a longitudinal position of the movable contact element relative to the circuit trace arrangement selectively connects the chassis ground to one of the plurality of series connected resistor sets, and selects the resistance value to select the desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal generated by the pulse width modulation circuit and to select a rotational speed of the motor. A biopsy driver according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the circuit trace configuration having a plurality of rows of elongated electrical contacts, the plurality of rows of elongated electrical contacts including a first row of elongated electrical contacts having a first electrical contact strip connected to the chassis ground; the movable contact element having a plurality of contact prongs, the movable contact element mechanically connected to the trigger, the plurality of contact prongs having a first electrical contact prong positioned for sliding engagement with the first elongated row of electrical contacts, the trigger configured to slidably move the first electrical contact prong along the first electrical contact strip to physically and slidably move the electrical connection between the first electrical contact prong of the movable contact element and the chassis ground; The biopsy driver of claim 6 .

8. the trigger and the movable contact element have an off position range associated with the off state and an on position range associated with the on state, and the biopsy driver When the trigger and the movable contact element are in the off position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is not coupled to the chassis ground and power is not supplied to the control circuit; When the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is coupled to the chassis ground, providing power to the control circuit. The biopsy driver of claim 7 , configured to:

9. the plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element include a second electrical contact prong laterally spaced from the first electrical contact prong, the second electrical contact prong permanently electrically connected to the first electrical contact prong; the plurality of rows of elongated electrical contacts includes a second row of elongated electrical contacts spaced laterally from the first row of elongated electrical contacts, the second electrical contact prongs of the movable contact element being aligned to electrically engage the second row of elongated electrical contacts and move along the second row of elongated electrical contacts; the second elongated electrical contact array includes a second electrical contact strip having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, electrically isolated electrical contact segments configured to facilitate selection of a rotational speed of the motor; the biopsy driver is configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with a particular segment of the plurality of longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated electrical contact segments to select the desired duty cycle of the variable pulse width signal generated by the pulse width modulation circuit and thereby select a rotational speed of the motor. The biopsy driver of claim 8 .

10. the plurality of elongated electrical contact rows of the control circuit including a third elongated electrical contact row having a third electrical contact strip laterally spaced from the first electrical contact strip, the third electrical contact strip being connected to the negative terminal of the battery power source; the plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element including a third electrical contact prong electrically connected to each of the first and second electrical contact prongs, the third electrical contact prong electrically engaging the third row of elongated electrical contacts and aligned to move along the third row of elongated electrical contacts; Equipped with the biopsy driver is configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the third electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the third electrical contact strip to connect the negative terminal of the battery power source to the chassis ground and facilitate powering the control circuit. The biopsy driver of claim 9 .

11. a first elongated electrical contact array having first electrical contact pads longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated from the first electrical contact strip to define a first gap, the first electrical contact pads being electrically connected to the first power input terminals of the motor; a second elongated electrical contact array having second electrical contact pads longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated from the second electrical contact strip to define a second gap, the second electrical contact pads being electrically connected to the second power input terminals of the motor; Equipped with the biopsy driver is configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the off position range, the first electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact pad, the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the second electrical contact pad, and the first power input terminal of the motor is electrically shorted to the second power input terminal of the motor to facilitate short circuit braking of the motor. The biopsy driver of claim 10.

12. The trigger switch circuit the third electrical contact strip of the third elongated electrical contact row is configured to be longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from a portion of the first electrical contact pad by the first gap; the first gap is larger than the second gap; When the trigger and the movable contact element are moved from the off position range toward the on position, the second electrical contact prong of the movable contact element electrically engages with a first segment of the second electrical contact strip of the second elongated electrical contact row before the first electrical contact prong of the movable contact element electrically engages with the first electrical contact strip of the first elongated electrical contact row, and before the third electrical contact prong of the movable contact element electrically engages with the third electrical contact strip of the first elongated electrical contact row, ensuring that a rotational speed of the motor is selected before power is supplied to the control circuit. Biopsy driver according to claim 11, which is dependent on claim 10.

13. an intraosseous device; and a biopsy driver according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the intraosseous device is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft of the motor. Biopsy system.

14. Housing and a battery power supply contained within the housing, the battery power supply having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the negative terminal selectively coupled to chassis ground; a motor contained within the housing, the motor having a drive shaft and having a first power input terminal and a second power input terminal; a trigger coupled to the housing and accessible from outside the housing; a control circuit mounted to the housing and electrically coupled to the motor, the control circuit including a trigger switch circuit having a circuit trace arrangement and a movable contact element, the circuit trace arrangement having a plurality of elongated rows of electrical contacts, the movable contact element having a plurality of contact prongs, the movable contact element mechanically connected to the trigger, the trigger and the movable contact element having a range of off positions and a range of on positions; A biopsy driver comprising: the plurality of elongated electrical contact rows include a first elongated electrical contact row having a first electrical contact strip connected to the chassis ground, the plurality of contact prongs have a first electrical contact prong positioned for sliding engagement with the first elongated electrical contact row, and the trigger is configured to slidably move the first electrical contact prong from the off position range spaced from the first electrical contact strip to the on position range along the first electrical contact strip to physically move an electrical connection between the first electrical contact prong of the movable contact element and the chassis ground. Biopsy driver.

15. The biopsy driver When the trigger and the movable contact element are in the off position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is not coupled to the chassis ground and power is not supplied to the control circuit; When the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the negative terminal of the battery power source is coupled to the chassis ground, providing power to the control circuit.

15. The biopsy driver of claim 14, configured to:

16. the plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element include a second electrical contact prong laterally spaced from the first electrical contact prong, the second electrical contact prong permanently electrically connected to the first electrical contact prong; the plurality of rows of elongated electrical contacts includes a second row of elongated electrical contacts spaced laterally from the first row of elongated electrical contacts, the second electrical contact prongs of the movable contact element being aligned to electrically engage the second row of elongated electrical contacts and move along the second row of elongated electrical contacts; the second elongated electrical contact array includes a second electrical contact strip having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, electrically isolated electrical contact segments configured to facilitate selection of a rotational speed of the motor; the biopsy driver is configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with a particular segment of the plurality of longitudinally spaced electrical contact segments to select a rotational speed of the motor.

16. The biopsy driver of claim 15.

17. the control circuitry comprising a battery depletion circuit configured to determine a current battery charge level of the battery power source; the plurality of elongated electrical contact rows of the control circuit include a third elongated electrical contact row having a third electrical contact strip laterally spaced apart from the first electrical contact strip; the plurality of contact prongs of the movable contact element include a third electrical contact prong electrically connected to each of the first and second electrical contact prongs, the third electrical contact prong electrically engaging the third elongated electrical contact row and aligned to move along the third elongated electrical contact row; the biopsy driver is configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the on position range, the third electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the third electrical contact strip to connect the negative terminal of the battery power source to the chassis ground and facilitate powering the battery drain circuitry.

17. The biopsy driver of claim 16.

18. The control circuit a light emitting diode (LED) having a green element and a red element; the battery drain circuitry communicatively coupled to the red element of the LED; a pulse width modulation circuit electrically coupled to each of the green element of the LED and the red element of the LED; Equipped with the control circuit is configured to control the brightness of the LED in response to a duty cycle of a variable pulse width signal to indicate a rotational speed of the motor, and to control the color of the LED to indicate the current battery charge level of the battery power source.

18. The biopsy driver of claim 17.

19. The control circuit a processor circuit having a microprocessor circuit and a memory circuit, the processor circuit having a low capacity threshold and a battery remaining charge value stored in the memory circuit; the battery depletion circuit includes a sense resistor connected in series with the positive terminal of the battery power source; the processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to sample the sense resistor over time to calculate a current battery charge level of the battery power source and update the remaining battery charge value stored in the memory circuit of the processor circuit; the processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to provide a low battery warning signal to the red element of the light emitting diode when the remaining battery charge value is equal to or less than the low capacity threshold.

20. The biopsy driver of claim 18.

20. 20. The biopsy driver of claim 19, wherein the control circuitry includes an end-of-life threshold value stored in the memory circuitry of the processor circuit, the processor circuitry configured to execute program instructions to prevent sending a variable pulse width signal to the motor when the remaining battery charge value is at or below the end-of-life threshold value.

21. a first elongated electrical contact array having first electrical contact pads longitudinally spaced apart from and electrically isolated from the first electrical contact strip, the first electrical contact pads being electrically connected to the first power input terminals of the motor; and a second elongated electrical contact array having second electrical contact pads longitudinally spaced apart from and electrically isolated from the second electrical contact strip, the second electrical contact pads being electrically connected to the second power input terminals of the motor; Equipped with the biopsy driver is configured such that when the trigger and the movable contact element are in the off position range, the first electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the first electrical contact pad and the second electrical contact prong is electrically engaged with the second electrical contact pad to electrically short-circuit the first power input terminal of the motor to the second power input terminal of the motor to facilitate short-circuit braking of the motor; A biopsy driver according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

22. 22. The biopsy driver of claim 21 , wherein the third electrical contact strip of the third elongated electrical contact row is longitudinally spaced apart from and electrically isolated from a portion of the first electrical contact pad.

23. 23. The biopsy driver of claim 21 or 22, wherein a spacing between the first electrical contact strip and the first electrical contact pad of the first elongated electrical contact array is greater than a spacing between the second electrical contact strip and the second electrical contact pad of the second elongated electrical contact array.

24. A power cycle for supplying power to the motor is initiated by actuation of the trigger, and the control circuit a processor circuit having a microprocessor circuit and a memory circuit, the processor circuit having a battery remaining charge value stored in the memory circuit; a battery depletion circuit configured to determine a current battery charge level of the battery power source; an end-of-life threshold stored in the memory circuit of the processor circuit; the processor circuit configured to complete a current power cycle without interruption regardless of the battery charge level, but to inhibit subsequent power cycles when the battery remaining charge value is equal to or less than the end-of-life threshold; 15. The biopsy driver of claim 14, comprising:

25. an intraosseous device; 25. A biopsy system comprising: a biopsy driver according to any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein the intraosseous device is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft of the motor. Biopsy system.

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