Systems and methods for biopsy cannula ejection

Abstract

Assemblies and methods of use of an biopsy cannula ejection system including a biopsy cannula defining a lumen, an adapter configured to be coupled to the lumen of the biopsy cannula, and an ejector rod are directed to advancement of the ejector rod through the biopsy cannula. The ejector rod may include a threaded ejector component and a rod component. The threaded ejector component may include ejector threads, the rod component coupled to and extending from the threaded ejector component. The adapter is configured to be rotatably attached to the threaded ejector component, and the rod component of the ejector rod is configured to be inserted through the adapter until the threaded ejector component interfaces with the adapter such that the ejector threads are received by the adapter threads. Rotation of the threaded ejector component with respect to the adapter advances the rod component.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BIOPSY CANNULA EJECTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to components of medical devices for removing biopsy samples from a biopsy cannula, and more particularly to a medical device configured to use an ejector rod and adapter assembly to eject a biopsy sample from a biopsy cannula.BACKGROUND

[0002] Biopsy samples, such as bone biopsy specimens, may be taken from a subject in order to be removed from a patient and further analyzed. Biopsy samples are typically retrieved into a biopsy cannula and may be removed from the biopsy cannula by an operator manually pushing an ejector rod longitudinally through the biopsy cannula to eject the biopsy sample. The force required to longitudinally eject the biopsy sample from the biopsy cannula may damage the biopsy sample during removal.

[0003] Accordingly, a need exists for a medical device for more efficiently and effectively ejecting a biopsy sample from a biopsy cannula.SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a biopsy cannula ejection system may include a biopsy cannula, the biopsy cannula including an interior wall including a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula, a lumen inlet at the proximal end, and a lumen outlet at the distal end, an adapter configured to be coupled to the lumen inlet of the biopsy cannula, and an ejector rod. The adapter may include an interior adapter wall which may include an interior channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the adapter. The interior adapter wall may include an adapter inlet at the proximal end, an adapter outlet at the distal end, and one or more adapter threads. The ejector rod may include a threaded ejector component and a rod component. The threaded ejector component may include a proximal end and a distal end and one or more ejector threads, the rod component including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component. The distal end of the adapter is configured to be attached to the proximal end of the biopsy cannula, and the proximal end of the adapter is configured to berotatably attached to the distal end of the threaded ejector component, the rod component of the ejector rod being configured to be inserted through the interior channel of the adapter until the distal end of the threaded ejector component interfaces with the proximal end of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads are received by the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall.

[0005] In another embodiment, a method for advancing an ejector rod through a biopsy cannula may include attaching a distal end of an adapter to a proximal end of a biopsy cannula. The adapter includes an interior adapter wall including an interior channel extending from a proximal end to the distal end of the adapter, the interior adapter wall including one or more adapter threads, and the biopsy cannula includes an interior wall including a lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula. The method may further include rotating a distal end of a threaded ejector component of the ejector rod rotatably attached to the proximal end of the adapter with respect to the interior channel of the adapter. Further, (i) the ejector rod includes the threaded ejector component and a rod component, (ii) the threaded ejector component includes a proximal end and a distal end and one or more ejector threads, (iii) the rod component includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component, and (iv) the rod component is inserted through the interior channel of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component interface with the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter. The method may further include advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula by rotation of the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, a method for advancing an ejector rod through a biopsy cannula may include inserting a rod component of the ejector rod, the rod component coupled at a proximal end to a threaded ejector component of ejector rod, through an interior channel of an interior adapter wall of an adapter until a distal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod interfaces with a proximal end of the adapter such that one or more ejector threads of the threaded ejector component are received by one or more adapter threads of an interior adapter wall of the adapter to couple the ejector rod and the adapter, and inserting the rod component of the ejector rod through a lumen of an interior wall of the biopsy cannula. The method may further include attaching a distal end of the adapter to a proximal end of the biopsy cannula, rotating thedistal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod rotatably attached to the proximal end of the adapter with respect to the interior channel of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component are threadably rotated with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter, and, upon rotation, advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

[0007] These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an ejector rod and an adapter of an ejector rod and adapter assembly in a disassembled position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective a and schematic view of an ejector rod and an adapter of an ejector rod and adapter assembly in an assembled position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0010] FIG. 3 A depicts a perspective view of a biopsy cannula and the ejector rod and adapter assembly of FIG. 2 and a disassembled biopsy cannula and cannula handle collectively forming of a biopsy cannula ejection system in a disassembled position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0011] FIG. 3B depicts an interior cross-sectional side elevation view in dashed lines of the biopsy cannula of FIG. 3 A, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a cannula handle assembly showing the biopsy cannula and cannula handle of FIG. 3A in an assembled position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a mid-ejection position of the biopsy cannula ejection system, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an ejection position of the biopsy cannula ejection system, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of ejection of a biopsy sample with the ejector rod and biopsy cannula ejection system in the ejection position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0016] Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Directional terms as used herein — for example up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, distal, and proximal — are made only with reference to the figures as drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of biopsy cannula ejection systems for ejection of a retrieved biopsy sample from a biopsy cannula, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As will be described in greater detail below, FIGS. 1-7 are directed to embodiments of components related to a biopsy cannula ejection system 300 (FIG. 3) for ejecting such a biopsy sample from a biopsy cannula of the biopsy cannula ejection system 300. In embodiments, the biopsy sample may be ejected by use of an ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 (FIGS. 1-2) of the biopsy cannula ejection system 300 to eject the biopsy sample via a controlled motion such as a rotation of the ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 with a biopsy cannula 350 (FIGS. 3-7) of the biopsy cannula ejection system 300.

[0018] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 in a disassembled position 102 is shown. The ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 includes an adapter 110 and an ejector rod 130.

[0019] The adapter 110 includes an interior adapter wall 112, an interior channel 14, aproximal end 116, a distal end 118, an adapter inlet 120, and adapter outlet 122, and one or more adapter threads 124. The interior adapter wall 112 defines the interior channel 114. The interior channel 114 extends from the proximal end 116 to the distal end 118 of the adapter 110. The interior adapter wall 112 forms an adapter inlet 120 at the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110 and an adapter outlet 122 at the distal end 118 of the adapter 110. The interior adapter wall 112 includes the one or more adapter threads 124.

[0020] The ejector rod 130 includes a threaded ejector component 140 and a rod component 150. The threaded ejector component 140 includes one or more ejector threads 144, a proximal end 146, and a distal end 148. The one or more ejector threads 144 are configured to threadably engage with the one or more adapter threads 124 of the adapter 110.

[0021] The threaded ejector component 140 may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. In embodiments, the threaded ejector component 140 may further include a handle 142. In an aspect, the ejector rod 130 includes the handle 142 coupled to the proximal end 146 of the threaded ejector component 140 of the ejector rod 130.

[0022] The rod component 150 includes a proximal end 156 and a distal end 158. The proximal end 156 of the rod component 150 is configured to be coupled to the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140. The rod component 150 may be shaped and sized to be inserted into the biopsy cannula 350 to eject a biopsy sample captured from within the biopsy cannula 350, as will be described in more detail further below. In embodiments, the distal end 158 of the rod component 150 may have a concave shape or a tapered shape. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the distal end 158 of the rod component 150 may have any other suitable shape, including but not limited to a tapered shape. The rod component 150 may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metal such as stainless steel.

[0023] The rod component 150 may be coupled to the threaded ejector component 140 by any suitable coupling mechanism, including but not limited to geometric fit such as interference fit, adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or any other suitable coupling mechanism. In an embodiment, the threaded ejector component 140 may be made of plastic, the rod component 150 may be made of metal, and the threaded ejector component 140 may be overmolded onto the rod component 150.

[0024] As illustrated, the ejector rod 130 may include a handle 142. The handle 142 may be coupled to the threaded ejector component 140 at the proximal end 146 of the threaded ejector component 140. The handle 142 may be shaped and sized to allow an operator to rotate the handle 142, thereby rotating the threaded ejector component 140 coupled thereto.

[0025] In further embodiments, various other mechanisms may be used to rotate the threaded ejector component 140, including but not limited to a knob, an adapter for coupling a tool such asa wrench thereto, or any other suitable mechanism for rotating the threaded ejector component 140.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, the ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 is shown in an assembled position 104. In embodiments, the ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 may be in the disassembled position 102 of FIG. 1 for assembly by a user while in other embodiments the ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 may already be in the assembled position 104 for further use by the user.

[0027] To achieve the assembled position 104 of FIG. 2, such as by the user, the rod component 150 may be advanced through the adapter 110 until the one or more ejector threads 144 of the threaded ejector component 140 threadably engage with the one or more adapter threads 124 within the adapter 110. Rotation in a first direction via the threaded engagement may allow the rod component 150 to advance distally relative to the adapter 110 while rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction may allow the rod component 150 to advance proximally relative to the adapter 110. In an embodiment, the first direction may be clock- wise and the second direction may be counter clockwise.

[0028] In embodiments, a quick release component 160 may be coupled to the handle 142. The quick release component 160 may be directly coupled to the rod component to allow upon activation the rod component 150 to advance distally relative to the threaded ejector component 140. In embodiments, the quick release component 160 may be a button. This may allow the rod component 150 to be quickly advanced distally without requiring the ejector threads 144 to be rotated within the adapter threads 124. In an aspect, the handle 142 may include the quick release component 160, which quick release component 160 is directly coupled to the rod component 150 and configured to, upon engagement such as activation, distally advance the proximal end of the rod component 150 internally along the threaded ejector component 140. Thus, the quick release component 160 may be engaged to distally advance the proximal end 156 of the rod component 150 internally along the threaded ejector component 140 to eject the biopsy sample 702 (FIG. 7) from the distal end 358 of the biopsy cannula 350 upon pressure exerted by the rod component 150 distally advanced through the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350.

[0029] In alternative or additional embodiments, a motor 162 such as an electric motor may be coupled to the threaded ejector component 140. In aspects, the motor may be disposed within thehandle 142. Operation of the motor 162 may be configured to rotate the threaded ejector component 140 within and relative to the adapter 110, which may advance the ejector rod 130 relative to the adapter 110 as described herein. The motor 162 may be activated to automatically rotate the threaded ej ector component 140 such that the one or more ej ector threads 144 interfacing with the one or more adapter threads 124 are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component 150. Motor 162 may have a control device 163 communicatively coupled thereto, such as a button, a trigger, a foot pedal, or any other suitable control device. The control device 163 may automatically activate or de-activate the motor 162 when the control device 163 is respectively depressed or released.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, one or more cooling electrodes 164 may be coupled to the rod component 150. Each cooling electrode 164 may be configured to cool a biopsy sample in contact with and contained within the rod component 150.

[0031] In embodiments, the threaded ejector component 140 may include a ratcheting mechanism 165. The ratcheting mechanism 165 may be disposed within the handle 142. The ratcheting mechanism 165 may allow the one or more ejector threads 144 of the threaded ejector component 140 to be rotated relative to the one or more adapter threads 124 of the adapter 110. The ratcheting mechanism 165 may be configured to rotate the threaded ejector component 140 such that the one or more ejector threads 144 received by the one or more adapter threads 124 are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component 150.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3A, a biopsy cannula ejection system 300 is shown in a disassembled position 302. The ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 in the assembled position 104 is shown along with a cannula handle 370 and a biopsy cannula 350. The cannula handle 370 includes an interior channel 372 that may be configured to receive and couple to a proximal end piece 366 of the biopsy cannula 350 that may be disposed at a proximal end 356 of the biopsy cannula 350. In embodiments, the cannula handle 370 may couple directly to the proximal end 356 of the biopsy cannula 350. The biopsy cannula 350 further includes a distal end 358. The biopsy cannula 350 in FIG. 3 A is shown in a disassembled position 380 in which the biopsy cannula 350 is not assembled to the cannula handle 370. The biopsy cannula 350 may be configured to remove a biopsy sample from a patient, as will be explained in more detail herein.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3B, the biopsy cannula 350 includes an interior wall 352. The interior wall 352 defines a lumen 354 extending from the proximal end 356 to the distal end 358. The lumen 354 includes a lumen inlet 360 at the proximal end 356 of the biopsy cannula 350 and a lumen outlet 362 at the distal end 358 of the biopsy cannula 350.

[0034] The lumen 354 may be shaped and sized to allow for the harvesting and temporary storage of a biopsy sample from the patient. In some embodiments, the lumen 354 may be shaped as a cylinder. However it should be understood that in embodiments, the lumen 354 may be any other suitable shape.

[0035] Thus, in embodiments described herein and referring to FIGS. 1-3B, the biopsy cannula ejection system may include the biopsy cannula 350, the adapter 110, and the ejector rod 130. The biopsy cannula 350 may include the interior wall 352 including the lumen 354 extending from the proximal end 356 to the distal end 358 of the biopsy cannula 350, the lumen inlet 360 at the proximal end 356, and the lumen outlet 362 at the distal end 358. The adapter 110 is configured to be coupled to the lumen inlet 360 of the biopsy cannula 350. The adapter 110 includes the interior adapter wall 112 including the interior channel 114 extending from the proximal end 116 to the distal end 118 of the adapter 110. The interior adapter wall 112 includes the adapter inlet 120 at the proximal end 116, the adapter outlet 122 at the distal end 118, and the one or more adapter threads 124. The ejector rod 130 includes the threaded ejector component 140 and the rod component 150. The threaded ejector component 130 includes the proximal end 146 and the distal end 148 and the one or more ejector threads 144. The rod component 150 includes the proximal end 156 and the distal end 158. The proximal end 156 of the rod component 150 is coupled to and extending from the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140.

[0036] As described herein, the distal end 118 of the adapter 110 may be configured to be attached to the proximal end 356 of the biopsy cannula 350. The proximal end 116 of the adapter 110 may be configured to be rotatably attached to the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140. The rod component 150 of the ejector rod 130 may be configured to be inserted through the interior channel 114 of the adapter 110 until the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 interfaces with the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110 such that the one or more ejector threads 144 are received by the one or more adapter threads 124 of the interior adapter wall 112.

[0037] In embodiments, and as will be described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 4-7, a method for advancing the ejector rod 130 through the biopsy cannula 350 may include attaching the distal end 118 of an adapter 110 to the proximal end 356 of the biopsy cannula 350, rotating the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 of the ejector rod 130 rotatably attached to the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110 with respect to the interior channel 114 of the adapter 110, and advancing the rod component 150 through the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350 by rotation of the one or more ejector threads 144 of the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 with respect to the one or more adapter threads 124 of the interior adapter wall 112 at the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110.

[0038] As described herein, the adapter 110 includes the interior adapter wall 112 including the interior channel 114 extending from the proximal end 116 to the distal end 118 of the adapter 110, the interior adapter wall 114 including the one or more adapter threads 124, and the biopsy cannula 350 includes the interior wall 352 including the lumen 354 extending from the proximal end 356 to the distal end 358 of the biopsy cannula 350. As described above, the ejector rod 130 includes the threaded ejector component 140 and the rod component 150. The threaded ejector component 140 includes the proximal end 146 and the distal end 148 and the one or more ejector threads 144, and the rod component 150 includes the proximal end 156 and the distal end 158. The proximal end 156 of the rod component 150 is coupled to and extending from the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 150. The rod component 150 may be inserted through the interior channel 114 of the adapter 110 such that the one or more ejector threads 144 of the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 interface with the one or more adapter threads 124 of the interior adapter wall 112 at the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110.

[0039] In embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1-7, such as when a user is assembling the ejector rod and adapter assembly from the disassembled position 102 (FIG. 1), a method for advancing the ejector rod 130 through the biopsy cannula 350 may include inserting the rod component 150 of the ejector rod 130 (the rod component 150 coupled at the proximal end 146 to the threaded ejector component 140 of the ejector rod 130) through the interior channel 114 of the interior adapter wall 112 of the adapter 110 until the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 of the ejector rod 130 interfaces with the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110 such that one or more ejector threads 144 of the threaded ejector component 140 are received by one or more adapter threads 124 of the interior adapter wall 112 of the adapter 110 to couple the ejector rod 130 and the adapter 110 to form the assembled position 104 (FIG. 2). The rod component 150 ofthe ejector rod 130 may then be inserted through the lumen 354 of the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350. The distal end 118 of the adapter 110 may be attached to the proximal end 156 of the biopsy cannula 350.

[0040] The distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 of the ejector rod 130 rotatably attached to the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110 may be rotated with respect to the interior channel 114 of the adapter 110 such that the one or more ejector threads 124 of the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 are threadably rotated with respect to the one or more adapter threads 124 of the interior adapter wall 112 at the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110. Upon rotation, the rod component 150 is advanced through the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350.

[0041] The rod component may be one of distally or proximally advanced through the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350 by a respective one of a clockwise rotation or a counterclockwise rotation of the one or more ejector threads 144 of the distal end 148 of the threaded ejector component 140 with respect to the one or more adapter threads 124 of the interior adapter wall 112 at the proximal end 116 of the adapter 110. A biopsy sample 702 (FIG. 7) may be ejected from distal end 358 of the biopsy cannula 350 upon pressure exerted by the rod component 150 advanced through the interior wall 152 of the biopsy cannula 350.

[0042] Referring again to FIG. 3B, in embodiments, the biopsy cannula 350 may include a retention ridge 168 and a hollow insertion tube 170. The retention ridge 168 may be formed on the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350 at a point between the proximal end 356 and the distal end 358. As illustrated, the retention ridge 168 has a rectangular cross-sectional profile; however, it should be understood that, in embodiments, the retention ridge 168 may have any suitable cross-sectional profile, including but not limited to circular, semi-circular, or any other suitable profile. In embodiments, the retention ridge 168 may be removable, such as an interior snap ring held within a groove in the interior wall 352.

[0043] The hollow insertion tube 170 may have an inlet at a distal end and an outlet at a proximal end and may be configured to be inserted into the lumen inlet 360 of the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350 and rest on the retention ridge 158 of the interior wall 352. The ejector rod 130 may be configured to be inserted into the hollow insertion tube 170 at the inlet of the hollow insertion tube 170 to distally advance past the retention ridge 158 without interference.

[0044] The hollow insertion tube 170 may be shaped and sized to fit within the lumen 354 of the biopsy cannula 350. The hollow insertion tube 170 may be inserted into the lumen 354 through the lumen inlet 360. The hollow insertion tube 170 may be advanced distally within the lumen 354 until the hollow insertion tube 170 rests against the retention ridge 168.

[0045] The hollow insertion tube 170 may be sized so as to fit between the retention ridge 168 and the lumen inlet 360, such that the entire length of the hollow insertion tube 170 may be contained within the lumen 354 when the hollow insertion tube 170 is inserted therein. This may prevent the hollow insertion tube 170 from interfering with the adapter 110 being coupled to the biopsy cannula 350 and / or interfering with the threaded ejector component 140. The hollow insertion tube 170 may be sized so as to allow the passage of the rod component 150 therein. The hollow insertion tube 170 may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metal or plastic.

[0046] In embodiments, the biopsy cannula 350 may be fluidly coupled to an air pressure source 166. As shown in FIG. 3B, the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350 may be fluidly coupled to the air pressure source 166. Pressurized air may be transported from the air pressure source 166 into the interior of the biopsy cannula 350. The pressurized air may help normalize the air pressure within the biopsy cannula 350 while a biopsy sample is deposited therein, which may assist to reduce pain for the patient as well as reduce a force for ejection of the biopsy sample from the biopsy cannula 350.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 4, a view of an assembled position 400 of the cannula handle assembly 374 including the biopsy cannula 350 assembled to the cannula handle 370 is shown. The cannula handle 370 is shown as coupled to the proximal end piece 366 of the biopsy cannula 350, such that the proximal end piece 366 is received within the interior channel wall 372 of the cannula handle 370. The proximal end piece 366 includes the lumen inlet 360 to receive the rod component 150 which will then extend through and within the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350. The cannula handle 370 may be coupled to the proximal end piece 366 by geometric fit, such as a clip or interference fit. An operator may grasp the cannula handle 370 in order to manipulate the biopsy cannula 350 as needed.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 5, a mid-ejection position 500 of the biopsy cannula ejection system 300 is shown in which the ejector rod and adapter assembly 100 including the adapter 110,the ejector rod 130, the handle 142, and the rod component 150 is being inserted into the cannula handle assembly 374 via insertion of the rod component 150 into lumen inlet 360 of the biopsy cannula 350. The ejector rod 130 continues to be advanced distally relative to the biopsy cannula 350 along a direction indicated by arrow D. The ejector rod 130 may be advanced distally until the adapter 110 contacts the proximal end piece 366.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 6, an ejection positon 600 of the biopsy cannula ejection system 300 is shown. The distal end 118 of the adapter 110 has contacted the proximal end piece 366 and may have a portion received in the lumen inlet 360 of the biopsy cannula 350. The threaded ejector component 140 may be rotated relative to the adapter 110 along a direction of rotation arrow R. The threaded ejector component 140 may be rotated by the operator grasping and rotating the handle 142. Rotation of the threaded ejector component 140 in the ejection position 600 in the direction of rotation arrow R may advance the rod component 150 distally within the interior wall 352 of the biopsy cannula 350 to eventually eject a biopsy sample contained within the biopsy cannula 350.

[0050] By rotating the threaded ejector component 140 relative to the adapter 110, the one or more ejector threads 144 may advance within and along the one or more adapter threads 124 (FIG. 3B). This rotation causes the rod component 150, coupled to the threaded ejector component 140, to be advanced distally within the biopsy cannula 350, where the direction is indicated by arrow D.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 7, an ejection position 700 of the biopsy cannula ejection system 300 is shown in which a biopsy sample 702 is being ejected from the interior channel 352 of the biopsy cannula 350 via pressure from the advancing rod component 350 as described herein onto a tray 704. As described herein, the threaded ejector component 140 is rotated relative to the adapter 110 until the rod component 150 is advanced within the lumen 354 to contact the biopsy sample 702 to cause the biopsy sample 702 to be ejected from the biopsy cannula 350 and into the tray 704. The biopsy sample 702 may then be tested, analyzed, or otherwise examined.Aspects Listing

[0052] Aspect 1. A biopsy cannula ejection system includes: a biopsy cannula, an adapter, and an ejector rod. The biopsy cannula includes an interior wall including a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula, a lumen inlet at the proximal end, and a lumenoutlet at the distal end. The adapter is configured to be coupled to the lumen inlet of the biopsy cannula. The adapter includes an interior adapter wall including an interior channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the adapter, the interior adapter wall including an adapter inlet at the proximal end, an adapter outlet at the distal end, and one or more adapter threads. The ejector rod includes a threaded ejector component and a rod component, the threaded ejector component including a proximal end and a distal end and one or more ejector threads, the rod component including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component. The distal end of the adapter is configured to be attached to the proximal end of the biopsy cannula, and the proximal end of the adapter is configured to be rotatably attached to the distal end of the threaded ejector component, the rod component of the ejector rod being configured to be inserted through the interior channel of the adapter until the distal end of the threaded ejector component interfaces with the proximal end of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads are received by the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall.

[0053] Aspect 2. The biopsy cannula ejection system of Aspect 1, wherein the ejector rod further includes a handle, the handle coupled to the proximal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod.

[0054] Aspect 3. The biopsy cannula ej ection system of either of Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, wherein the handle further includes a ratcheting mechanism, wherein ratcheting mechanism is configured to rotate the threaded ejector component such that the one or more ejector threads received by the one or more adapter threads are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component.

[0055] Aspect 4. The biopsy cannula ejection system of any of Aspect 1 to Aspect 3, wherein the handle further includes a quick release component, the quick release component directly coupled to the rod component and configured to upon engagement distally advance the proximal end of the rod component internally along the threaded ejector component.

[0056] Aspect 5. The biopsy cannula ejection system of any of Aspect 1 to Aspect 4, wherein the distal end of the ejector rod includes a concave shape or a tapered shape.

[0057] Aspect 6. The biopsy cannula ejection system of any of Aspect 1 to Aspect 5, wherein the ejector rod is coupled to an electric motor, and the electric motor is configured to rotate the threaded ejector component such that the one or more ejector threads received by the one or more adapter threads are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component.

[0058] Aspect 7. The biopsy cannula ejection system of any of Aspect 1 to Aspect 6, wherein the rod component further includes a cooling electrode.

[0059] Aspect 8. The biopsy cannula ejection system of any of Aspect 1 to Aspect 7, wherein the interior wall of the biopsy cannula is fluidly coupled to an air pressure source.

[0060] Aspect 9. The biopsy cannula ejection system of any of Aspect 1 to Aspect 8, further including: a hollow insertion tube, the insertion tube having an inlet at a distal end and an outlet at a proximal end, a retention ridge formed on the interior wall of the biopsy cannula, wherein: the hollow insertion tube is configured to be inserted into the lumen inlet of the interior wall and rest on the retention ridge of the interior wall, and the ejector rod is configured to be inserted into the insertion tube at the inlet of the hollow insertion tube to distally advance past the retention ridge without interference.

[0061] Aspect 10. A method for advancing an ejector rod through a biopsy cannula including: attaching a distal end of an adapter to a proximal end of a biopsy cannula, wherein (i) the adapter includes an interior adapter wall including an interior channel extending from a proximal end to the distal end of the adapter, the interior adapter wall including one or more adapter threads, and (ii) the biopsy cannula includes an interior wall including a lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula, rotating a distal end of a threaded ejector component of the ejector rod rotatably attached to the proximal end of the adapter with respect to the interior channel of the adapter, wherein (i) the ejector rod includes the threaded ejector component and a rod component, (ii) the threaded ejector component includes a proximal end and a distal end and one or more ejector threads, (iii) the rod component includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component, and (iv) the rod component is inserted through the interior channel of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejectorcomponent interface with the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter, and advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula by rotation of the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter.

[0062] Aspect 11. The method of Aspect 10, further including inserting the rod component of the ejector rod through the interior channel of the adapter until the distal end of the threaded ejector component interfaces with the proximal end of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads are received by the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall.

[0063] Aspect 12. The method of either of Aspect 10 or Aspect 11, further including one of distally or proximally advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula by a respective one of a clockwise rotation or a counter-clockwise rotation of the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter.

[0064] Aspect 13. The method of any of Aspect 10 to Aspect 12, further including ejecting a biopsy sample from the distal end of the biopsy cannula upon pressure exerted by the rod component advanced through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

[0065] Aspect 14. The method of any of Aspect 10 to Aspect 13, wherein the ejector rod further includes a handle, the handle coupled to the proximal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod, the handle further including a quick release component directly coupled to the rod component, the method further including engaging the quick release component to distally advance the proximal end of the rod component internally along the threaded ejector component, and ejecting a biopsy sample from the distal end of the biopsy cannula upon pressure exerted by the rod component distally advanced through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

[0066] Aspect 15. The method of any of Aspect 10 to Aspect 14, wherein the distal end of the ejector rod includes a concave shape or a tapered shape, the rod component further includes a cooling electrode, and the interior wall of the biopsy cannula is fluidly coupled to an air pressure source.

[0067] Aspect 16. The method of any of Aspect 10 to Aspect 15, wherein the ejector rod is coupled to an electric motor, and the method further includes activing the electric motor to automatically rotate the threaded ejector component such that the one or more ejector threads interfacing with the one or more adapter threads are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component.

[0068] Aspect 17. A method for advancing an ejector rod through a biopsy cannula including: inserting a rod component of the ejector rod, the rod component coupled at a proximal end to a threaded ejector component of ejector rod, through an interior channel of an interior adapter wall of an adapter until a distal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod interfaces with a proximal end of the adapter such that one or more ejector threads of the threaded ejector component are received by one or more adapter threads of an interior adapter wall of the adapter to couple the ejector rod and the adapter, inserting the rod component of the ejector rod through a lumen of an interior wall of the biopsy cannula, attaching a distal end of the adapter to a proximal end of the biopsy cannula, rotating the distal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod rotatably attached to the proximal end of the adapter with respect to the interior channel of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component are threadably rotated with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter, and upon rotation, advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

[0069] Aspect 18. The method of Aspect 17, wherein (i) the interior channel extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the adapter, (ii) the interior adapter wall includes an adapter inlet at the proximal end, an adapter outlet at the distal end, and the one or more adapter threads, (ii) the threaded ejector component includes a proximal end, and (iii) the rod component includes the proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component.

[0070] Aspect 19. The method of any of Aspect 17 or 18, wherein (i) the lumen of the interior wall of the biopsy cannula extends from the proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula, and (ii) the interior wall includes a lumen inlet at the proximal end and a lumen outlet at the distal end of the biopsy cannula.

[0071] Aspect 20, The method of any of Aspect 17 to Aspect 19, further including ejecting a biopsy sample from a distal end of the biopsy cannula upon pressure exerted by the rod component advanced through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

[0072] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that with any apparatus specific orientations be required. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation to individual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or that a specific order or orientation to components of an apparatus is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order or orientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0073] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure belongs. The terminology used in the description herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0074] As used herein, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “distal” and “proximal” are relative terms only, are indicative of a general relative orientation only, and do not necessarily indicate perpendicularity. These terms also may be used for convenience to refer to orientations used in the figures, which orientations are used as a matter of convention only and are not intended as characteristic of the devices shown. The present disclosure and the embodiments thereof to be described herein may be used in any desired orientation. Moreover, horizontal and vertical walls need generally only be intersecting walls, and need not be perpendicular. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0075] It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

[0076] For the purposes of describing and defining the present disclosure it is noted that the term “substantially” is used herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” is used herein also to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. As such, it is used to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation, referring to an arrangement of elements or features that, while in theory would be expected to exhibit exact correspondence or behavior, may in practice embody something slightly less than exact.

[0077] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A biopsy cannula ejection system, the biopsy cannula ejection system comprising: a biopsy cannula, the biopsy cannula comprising an interior wall comprising a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula, a lumen inlet at the proximal end, and a lumen outlet at the distal end; an adapter configured to be coupled to the lumen inlet of the biopsy cannula, the adapter comprising an interior adapter wall comprising an interior channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the adapter, the interior adapter wall comprising an adapter inlet at the proximal end, an adapter outlet at the distal end, and one or more adapter threads; an ejector rod, the ejector rod comprising a threaded ejector component and a rod component, the threaded ejector component comprising a proximal end and a distal end and one or more ejector threads, the rod component comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component, wherein: the distal end of the adapter is configured to be attached to the proximal end of the biopsy cannula; and the proximal end of the adapter is configured to be rotatably attached to the distal end of the threaded ejector component, the rod component of the ejector rod being configured to be inserted through the interior channel of the adapter until the distal end of the threaded ejector component interfaces with the proximal end of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads are received by the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall.

2. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 1, wherein the ejector rod further comprises a handle, the handle coupled to the proximal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod.

3. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 2, wherein the handle further comprises a ratcheting mechanism, wherein the ratcheting mechanism is configured to rotate the threaded ejector component such that the one or more ejector threads received by the one or more adapterthreads are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component.

4. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 2, wherein the handle further comprises a quick release component, the quick release component directly coupled to the rod component and configured to upon engagement distally advance the proximal end of the rod component internally along the threaded ejector component.

5. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the ejector rod comprises a concave shape or a tapered shape.

6. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 1, wherein the ejector rod is coupled to an electric motor, and the electric motor is configured to rotate the threaded ejector component such that the one or more ejector threads received by the one or more adapter threads are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component.

7. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 1, wherein the rod component further comprises a cooling electrode.

8. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 1, wherein the interior wall of the biopsy cannula is fluidly coupled to an air pressure source.

9. The biopsy cannula ejection system of claim 1, further comprising: a hollow insertion tube, the hollow insertion tube having an inlet at a distal end and an outlet at a proximal end; a retention ridge formed on the interior wall of the biopsy cannula, wherein: the hollow insertion tube is configured to be inserted into the lumen inlet of the interior wall and rest on the retention ridge of the interior wall; and the ejector rod is configured to be inserted into the hollow insertion tube at the inlet of the hollow insertion tube to distally advance past the retention ridge without interference.

10. A method for advancing an ejector rod through a biopsy cannula, the method comprising: attaching a distal end of an adapter to a proximal end of a biopsy cannula, wherein (i) the adapter comprises an interior adapter wall comprising an interior channel extending from aproximal end to the distal end of the adapter, the interior adapter wall comprising one or more adapter threads, and (ii) the biopsy cannula comprises an interior wall comprising a lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula; rotating a distal end of a threaded ejector component of the ejector rod rotatably attached to the proximal end of the adapter with respect to the interior channel of the adapter, wherein (i) the ejector rod comprises the threaded ejector component and a rod component, (ii) the threaded ejector component comprises a proximal end and a distal end and one or more ejector threads, (iii) the rod component comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component, and (iv) the rod component is inserted through the interior channel of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component interface with the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter; and advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula by rotation of the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising inserting the rod component of the ejector rod through the interior channel of the adapter until the distal end of the threaded ejector component interfaces with the proximal end of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads are received by the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising one of distally or proximally advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula by a respective one of a clockwise rotation or a counter-clockwise rotation of the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising ejecting a biopsy sample from the distal end of the biopsy cannula upon pressure exerted by the rod component advanced through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the ejector rod further comprises a handle, the handle coupled to the proximal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod, the handle further comprising a quick release component directly coupled to the rod component, the methodfurther comprising engaging the quick release component to distally advance the proximal end of the rod component internally along the threaded ejector component, and ejecting a biopsy sample from the distal end of the biopsy cannula upon pressure exerted by the rod component distally advanced through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the ejector rod comprises a concave shape or a tapered shape, the rod component further comprises a cooling electrode, and the interior wall of the biopsy cannula is fluidly coupled to an air pressure source.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the ejector rod is coupled to an electric motor, and the method further comprises activating the electric motor to automatically rotate the threaded ejector component such that the one or more ejector threads interfacing with the one or more adapter threads are proximally or distally advanced in threaded engagement to proximally or distally advance the rod component.

17. A method for advancing an ejector rod through a biopsy cannula, the method comprising: inserting a rod component of the ejector rod, the rod component coupled at a proximal end to a threaded ejector component of the ejector rod, through an interior channel of an interior adapter wall of an adapter until a distal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod interfaces with a proximal end of the adapter such that one or more ejector threads of the threaded ejector component are received by one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall of the adapter to couple the ejector rod and the adapter; inserting the rod component of the ejector rod through a lumen of an interior wall of a biopsy cannula; attaching a distal end of the adapter to a proximal end of the biopsy cannula; rotating the distal end of the threaded ejector component of the ejector rod rotatably attached to the proximal end of the adapter with respect to the interior channel of the adapter such that the one or more ejector threads of the distal end of the threaded ejector component are threadably rotated with respect to the one or more adapter threads of the interior adapter wall at the proximal end of the adapter; and upon rotation, advancing the rod component through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein (i) the interior channel extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the adapter, (ii) the interior adapter wall comprises an adapter inlet at the proximal end, an adapter outlet at the distal end, and the one or more adapter threads, (ii) the threaded ejector component comprises a proximal end, and (iii) the rod component comprises the proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the rod component coupled to and extending from the distal end of the threaded ejector component.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein (i) the lumen of the interior wall of the biopsy cannula extends from the proximal end to a distal end of the biopsy cannula, and (ii) the interior wall comprises a lumen inlet at the proximal end and a lumen outlet at the distal end of the biopsy cannula.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising ejecting a biopsy sample from a distal end of the biopsy cannula upon pressure exerted by the rod component advanced through the interior wall of the biopsy cannula.

Images