Tissue sampling and removal apparatus and method

[0001] The present application is a continuation application which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/988,888, filed on Nov. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,860 which, in turn, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/253,147, filed on Nov. 27, 2000, the entire contents of each of which being incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to tissue sample removal and, more particularly, breast tissue biopsy apparatus and procedures.

[0003] Various known tissue and biopsy removal apparatus and methods exist. Known devices include various types of needle coring and moveable cutter devices. Certain of such devices lack effective cutting ability, the ability to retrieve multiple samples, or versatility in terms of use with a variety of accessories and in a variety of procedures. For example, certain tissue removal devices are limited in terms of their need to be used only with certain types of tables or imaging equipment. Some tables or imaging equipment are expensive or cumbersome. Some tables or imaging equipment are adapted to fit or be used with one or a limited number of models and manufacture of biopsy or tissue retrieval devices.

[0004] Some handheld biopsy or tissue retrieval devices exist but lack the effective cutting and tissue retrieving capabilities of more complex, automated devices normally restricted to use with tables and larger assemblies. Certain handheld devices are limited to single tissue sample retrieval operations and must be fully removed before subsequent samples can be taken, thus losing the precise location of a prior sample.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tissue removal device and method that have superior cutting ability, the ability to retrieve multiple samples while holding a tissue sample site, and versatility in terms of use with a variety of accessories and in a variety of procedures. It is a further object to provide a tissue removal device and method that may be used with a carriage and table or that may be used in a completely handheld fashion.

[0006] These and other objects and advantages that are inherent to the present invention are disclosed herein.

[0007] The present invention is directed to a tissue removal device and method that utilizes a device having a housing that may be handheld or mounted to a carriage used with a conventional biopsy table and imaging system. The tissue removal device has a non-rotatable needle including a vacuum-assisted tissue sample basket and a rotating needle that can be advance or retracted linearly. A single, re-usable drive cable having a drive gear mounted at its end is attached to a remote drive motor. The single drive cable rotates selectively to actuate cutter rotation, advancement and withdrawal, as well as selective needle displacement to retrieve a severed sample and to re-position the needle.

[0008] In operation the needle is positioned in a tissue target site so that a vacuum-pressurized basket near the distal end of the needle draws tissue in. The cutter is rotated and advanced past the basket to sever a tissue sample held in the basket. The cutter is then held in position while the needle is retracted in order to locate the tissue basket for tissue removal. The sequence can be repeated as needed until a desired number of tissue samples are removed. The rotational location of subsequent samples can be controlled by rotating the entire device relative to the patient.

[0009] The entire device is designed to be detached from the drive cable and discarded.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a preferred embodiment of the present invention tissue sampling device is described herein. The device (10) includes a housing (12) shaped in any one of a variety of configurations that is easily hand held or mounted for rotation to another structure such as the cradle (14) shown in FIG. 1. The housing (12) is preferably generally elongated so as to define a longitudinal axis (16) therethrough. The material of the housing (12) may be any one of a variety of materials, including metals or plastics, suitable for use with medical devices and of sufficient strength and stiffness to perform as described herein. Since in the preferred embodiment the entire housing (12) and its inner components are intended to be disposed after use with a single patient, it is desirable that the housing (12) comprise an inexpensive material. The housing (12) of the preferred embodiment is provided with rotational position indicia (18) for locating the housing (12) in selective rotational positions relative to the patient or to the cradle (14), as will be described below.

[0016] At the proximal end (20) of the housing (12), a drive cable port (22) and a vacuum port (24) are positioned on the distal end face (25). The drive cable port (22) receives a drive cable end (26) of a drive cable (80) and the vacuum port (24) receives a vacuum conduit (28), the function of each being described below.

[0017] The distal end (30) of the housing (12) includes an extension arm (32) and a distal support (34) forming a tissue specimen retrieval zone (36) proximally adjacent to the distal support (34). A radiolucent tube (38) is mounted to the distal end (30) of the housing (12) in a manner permitting adjustable extension distally from the housing (12), as will be described below.

[0018] Extending from the distal end (30) of the housing (12), and passing through the distal support (34) are a sampling needle (40) and a rotational cutter (42). The cutter (42) is mounted within the housing (12) in a manner permitting it to move rotationally and axially relative to the housing (12). The needle (40) is mounted within the housing (12) in a manner permitting it to move axially relative to the housing (12), but which prevents relative rotation of the needle (40) relative to the housing (12).

[0019] Referring to the exploded view shown in FIG. 2, the housing (12) comprises a first half (41) and a second half (44), each being adapted to interfit with the other to form a single, enclosed housing (12). The cutter (42) comprises an elongated, hollow tube having a distal end (46) with a sharpened edge for cutting tissue, a proximal end (48), and a tissue sample retrieval window (50) located near the proximal end (48). The cutter (42) is preferably made of a metal or similar rigid material that may be sharpened at the distal end (46) edge for cutting tissue. A first cutter gear (52) is connected to the proximal end (48) of the cutter (42) in a fixed relationship to transmit rotational motion to the cutter (42). The first cutter gear (52) may be connected to the cutter (42) by various suitable means including, as shown, a distal extension (54) that can be welded, press-fit or otherwise attached to the cutter (42).

[0020] An internal gear (56) which is mounted inside the housing (12) for rotational movement only transmits rotational motion to the first cutter gear (52) which, in turn, rotates the cutter (42). The first cutter gear (52) and the internal gear (56) are sized so that the first cutter gear (52) is positioned inside the internal gear (56). The number and ratio of gear teeth may vary according to desired output. The first cutter gear (52) is adapted to translate longitudinally inside of the internal gear (56) in order to facilitate advancement or retraction of the cutter (42) in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing (12). The internal gear (56) is mounted in the housing (12) in such a manner that the distal end (58) of the internal gear (56) abuts a first stop plate (60) fixed internally in the housing (12). The proximal end (62) of the internal gear (56) abuts the distal end face (64) of the gear case (66) which is mounted inside the housing (12) in a non-moving manner which will be described below.

[0021] Rotational movement of the internal gear (56) which, in turn, drives the first cutter gear (52) and the cutter (42), is caused by rotational motion transmitted directly to it by the second cutter gear (68). The second cutter gear (68) is fixedly mounted directly to the distal end (70) of a cutter drive shaft (72). Fixedly mounted to the proximal end (74) of the cutter drive shaft (72) is a third cutter gear (76). The third cutter gear (76), when driven, transmits rotational motion through the cutter shaft (72) to the second cutter gear (68) and, thus, the internal gear (62), the first cutter gear (52) and, finally, the cutter (42). Rotational motion is imparted on the third cutter gear (76) by the master drive gear (78) which is driven by the drive cable (80) and housed in the cable housing (82) having a cable housing end (84).

[0022] The drive cable (80) is rotationally driven by a conventional motor (86) or other drive means located remotely. The drive cable (80) is moved axially relative to the housing (12) by conventional means such as a solenoid or other type of linear actuator (88). The linear actuator (88) may, for example, include a push-pull piston (90) adapted to engage a disc or collar (92) that is crimped or otherwise fastened to the cable (80). By selectively moving the cable (80) and thus the master drive gear (78), the third cutter gear (76) can be selectively engaged or disengaged in order to selectively drive or not drive the cutter (42).

[0023] A cutter advance gear (94) is provided and positioned within the housing (12) in such a manner so that it is simultaneously engaged by the master drive gear (78) when the master drive gear (78) engages the third cutter gear (76). The cutter advance gear (94) cooperates with additional components, as described below, which convert the rotational motion of the master drive gear (78) into linear motion in order to extend or retract the cutter (42) in a linear fashion.

[0024] The cutter advance gear (94) is connected to a cutter advance shaft (96) by a spring clutch (98) which transmits rotational motion from the gear (92) to the shaft (96) in order to linearly advance or retract a lead nut (99) along a threaded section (100) of the shaft (96). The lead nut (99) has an extension arm (102) that extends distally through the distal end face (64) of the gear case (66) so that the distal end (104) of the extension arm (102) abuts the proximal face (106) of the first cutter gear (52). As the cutter advance shaft (96) is rotated in a first direction, the lead nut (99) translates distally, thereby pushing the first cutter gear (52) and hence the cutter (42) so that they move distally relative to the internal gear (56) and the housing (12). The spring clutch (98) is selected so that it will allow relative slippage between the cutter advance shaft (96) and the cutter advance gear (92) if a predetermined axial resistance force is applied to the cutter (42). The cutter (42) will slow or stop moving in the axial direction, while continuing to rotate, until the resistance is diminished or overcome. An extension flag (108) of the spring clutch (98) and a retaining clip (110) enable it to be connected to the cutter advance gear (92).

[0025] Accordingly, reversing the direction of rotation of the master drive gear (78) will, in turn, control the rotational and linear movement direction of the cutter (42) in accordance with the operation of the device as will be described below. When the rotation of the master drive gear (78) is directed to cause the cutter advance gear (92) to rotate in a direction that will result in the lead nut (99) moving toward the proximal direction, a spring (112) biased on its distal end (114) by a second stop plate (116) and on its proximal end (118) by the distal face (120) of the first cutter gear (52) will push the first cutter gear (52) and the cutter (42) back in the proximal direction. The rate of movement in this manner will be dictated by the retreat of the lead nut (99) since it abuts the proximal end (106) of the first cutter gear (52).

[0026] Advancement or retraction of the needle (40) in accordance with operation as described below, is activated by positioning the master drive gear (78) in engagement with the needle drive gear (122). As described above, the master drive gear (78) is moved axially relative to the housing (12) and, thus, can be selectively engaged with the needle drive gear (122). As shown in FIG. 3, the needle drive gear (122) is offset from the third cutter gear (76) and the cutter advance gear (94) so that it can be engaged only when the two latter gears are not engaged, and vice-versa. When the master drive gear (78) engages the needle drive gear (122), rotational motion from the master drive gear (78) is transmitted through the needle drive gear (122) to the needle leadscrew (124) to which the needle drive gear (122) is fixed. The leadscrew (124) is threaded so that, when rotated, it causes a toggle nut (126) having internal threads (128) and positioned thereon to translate linearly along the leadscrew (124). Depending on the direction of rotation of the master drive gear (78), the toggle nut (126) will advance distally or retreat proximally along the leadscrew (124). The toggle nut (126) has two flags (130, 132) that extend generally radially and that are offset from each other axially as shown.

[0027] The first flag (130) of the toggle nut (126) is positioned relative to the needle (40) in order to selectively engage the distal end face (134) of the needle flange (136). The needle flange (136) is fixedly attached to the proximal end (138) of the needle (40). The first flag (130) selectively engages or disengages the needle flange (136) by being rotated into or out or axial alignment with a portion of the needle flange (136). When positioned for engagement with the flange (136), the first flag (130) will pull the flange (136) and needle (40) in a retracted, proximal direction as the toggle nut (126) moves proximally along the leadscrew (124) as described above.

[0028] The second flag (132) of the toggle nut (126) is positioned relative to the needle (40) in order to selectively engage the proximal end face (135) of the needle flange (136). The needle flange (136) is fixedly attached to the proximal end (138) of the needle (40). The second flag (132) selectively engages or disengages the needle flange (136) by being rotated into or out or axial alignment with a portion of the needle flange (136). When positioned for engagement with the flange (136), the second flag (132) will push the flange (136) and needle (40) in an extended, distal direction as the toggle nut (126) moves distally along the leadscrew (124) as described above.

[0029] In addition to being spaced axially with respect to each other, the flags (130, 132) are offset angularly so that the first flag (130), being located distally of the second flag (132), may be positioned for alignment with the flange (136) while the second flag (132) is positioned out of alignment with the flange (136). This facilitates the optional firing mode of the needle (40) that will be described below, by keeping the second flag (132) out of the way of the flange (136) during firing.

[0030] The needle (40) and the attached flange (136) are telescopically received over the distal end (142) of the vacuum tube (144) for relative axial movement with respect thereto. The vacuum tube (144) remains fixed with respect to the housing (12) when the needle (40) is moved axially as described above. The proximal end (146) of the vacuum tube (144) is attached to a vacuum conduit (28) that is attached to a remote vacuum pressure source (150) of a conventional type. The needle (40) has a sharpened needle tip (152) adapted to penetrate or cut into tissue. Adjacent to the tip (152) is a tissue sample basket (154). Preferably, the sample basket (154) is provided with holes (156) for applying suction to a tissue sample received in the basket (154). The suction is provided through the vacuum tube (144).

[0031] The internal components described above are housed within the housing (12) and a proximal end cap (158) forms the proximal end (20) of the housing. A toggle nut stop (160) is used to limit proximal movement of the toggle nut (126) and, thus, the needle (40). Distal movement of the toggle nut (126) and the needle (40) are limited by the proximal face (162) of the gear case distal end (163). The gear case proximal end (164) comprises a plate having series of holes (168, 170, 172, 174). The gear case (66) is positioned in the housing (12) toward the proximal. A first, central hole (168) receives the vacuum tube (144) and needle (40).

[0032] The needle (40) extends through a central hole (176) in the distal end (162) of the gear case (66) and through a central hole (178) of the distal support (34). A radiolucent slide (180) having a central hole (182) aligned with the distal support central hole (178) is provided and receives the needle (40) therethrough. The slide (180) is fixed to the radiolucent tube (38) and enables it to be adjusted relative to the housing (12) in the axial direction in accordance with operation as described below.

[0033] The four remaining holes (168, 170, 172, 174) rotationally support, respectively, the needle drive gear (122), the master drive gear (78), the third cutter gear (76), and the cutter advance gear (94).

[0034] In operation, the tissue sampling device (10) is used to retrieve one or more tissue samples from a patient. In a biopsy retrieval operation, for example, it may be desired to take more than one tissue sample from a patient to locate one or more lesions.

[0035] During a tissue retrieval procedure such as a breast biopsy procedure, a patient is positioned on or next to a commercially available biopsy table or other positioning and imaging apparatus. Using conventional imaging technology, such as ultrasound, a physician locates a desired target area for tissue sample retrieval.

[0036] The device (10) may either be held in hand by a physician or it may be mounted to a cradle (14) which is mounted to a moveable carriage (184) as shown in FIG. 1. The carriage (184) is part of an imaging table or other commercially known positioning device. The device (10) has bearing grooves (186) designed to cooperate with the cradle (14) to hold the device (10) within the cradle (14) in a manner permitting rotational movement with little friction.

[0037] The initial step to obtaining a tissue sample requires introducing the needle tip (152) into and through the skin of the patient. The needle tip (152) may be advanced into and through the skin in one of two ways. A first way is to merely push the device forward by hand, using only manual force. The physician may monitor position during such introduction of the needle tip (152) using ultrasound imaging. Another way to advance the needle tip (152) into and through the skin is to advance a mechanical carriage (184) which holds the device (10) and thus the needle (152) relative therewith. Using imaging means or predetermined coordinates associated with carriage position, the needle tip (152) can be advance to a target zone.

[0038] After introduction of the needle tip (152) into and through the skin, the needle tip (152) is advanced further by either of the means described in the preceding paragraph until the needle tip (152) is adjacent to the tissue sample target zone (190) as shown in FIG. 4A. Next, the needle tip (152) is advanced by either means so that the tissue sample receiving basket (154) is positioned within the target zone (190) as shown in FIG. 4B. Alternatively, the needle tip (152) may be advanced into the target zone (190) by the optional firing mode.

[0039] In the firing mode, the tip (152) is advanced relative to the housing (12) by a predetermined distance in a rapid fire manner so as to ensure cutting and penetration into a tissue region, rather than pushing the tissue out of the way of the needle tip (152). To facilitate rapid firing, a modular firing mechanism (192) having a spring-loaded firing hammer (194) is positioned with the hammer (194) in the firing port (196, FIG. 1) of the housing (12). The hammer (194) lines up proximally to the needle flange (136) so that when the firing mechanism (192) is fired by pulling its trigger (198), the hammer (194) pushes the flange (136) and needle tip (152) rapidly in the distal direction. It order to execute this firing mode, it is necessary that the flags (130, 132) are positioned so that the first flag (130) is positioned for alignment with the flange (136) while the second flag (132) is positioned out of alignment with the flange (136), as described above. This keeps the second flag (132) out of the way of the flange (136) during firing. The device (10) is preferably shipped in its original, unused state so that the flags (130, 132) are in the alignment described immediately above. If necessary, the position of the flags (130, 132) is controlled by rotating the leadscrew (124) in one direction or the other, as the toggle nut (126) engages the leadscrew (124) with enough friction to cause it to rotate with the leadscrew (124) for a limited rotational distance until it makes contact on either side and then the leadscrew (124) rotates relative to the toggle nut (126) to cause it to advance linearly along the leadscrew (124). Rotation of the leadscrew (124) may be caused by activating an electronic switch (200), which may be mounted on the housing (12) or remotely, to selectively activate a bi-directional, remote rotational motor (86). The motor (86) rotates the drive cable (80). As described above, the drive cable (80) is moved axially relative to the housing (12) by conventional means such as a solenoid or other type of linear actuator (88), which can be activated by an electronic switch (204) located on the housing (12) or remotely.

[0040] After the tissue sample receiving basket (154) is positioned within the target zone (190) as shown in FIG. 4B, the cutter (42) is moved back away from the needle tip (154) by mechanical components described above in order to expose the basket (154) to the tissue to be sampled as shown in FIG. 4C. The step of moving the cutter (42) may be initiated by activating an electronic switch (206) located on the housing (12) or located remotely. Once the basket (154) is exposed to the tissue sample target zone (190), suction may be applied through the holes (156) via the vacuum tube (144) and vacuum source (150) as described above. The vacuum pressure may be initiated by an electronic switch (208) located on the housing (12) or remotely. Shortly after vacuum pressure is activated, and tissue is drawn into the basket (154), the cutter (42) may be rotated and advanced linearly by mechanical means as described above until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 4D. The sequence of activating the vacuum and moving the cutter (42) may be initiated by a single electronic switch (210) located on the housing (12) or remotely.

[0041] After the cutter (42) advances fully past the basket (154), as shown in FIG. 4D, a tissue sample will have been cut and captured in the basket (154). The cutter (42), now in a distally extended position, is stopped to hold the sample site and the needle (40) is retracted so that the basket (154) is positioned in the tissue specimen retrieval zone (36) as shown in FIG. 4E for removal of the tissue sample (212). The tissue sample (212) may be grasped or removed from the basket (154) by forceps or other known means.

[0042] If a subsequent sample is desired, the needle (40) is advanced by activating an electronic switch (214) which is located on the housing (12) or remotely which, in turn, activates the mechanical components as described above for linear advancement of the needle (40) using the leadscrew (124) and toggle nut (126). The needle tip (152) is advanced distally of the cutter (42) as shown in FIG. 4B. The device (10) can then be adjusted linearly or rotationally relative to the patient and the tissue target zone (190). The next sequence of retrieving a tissue sample may be initiated by moving the cutter (42) back away from the needle tip (152) in order to expose the basket (154). The vacuum, cutting and tissue sequences as described above are repeated to obtain another sample. The above described procedure can be repeated as many times as needed to obtain a desired number of samples.

[0043] Upon completion of removal of a desired number of tissue samples, the master drive gear (78) and drive cable (80) are detached from the device (10) so that the remainder of components of the device (10) can be discarded. The vacuum conduit (148) is removed from the vacuum source (150) and discarded along with the device (10). The drive cable (80) can be attached to a new device of the same type as the device (10) described herein and another vacuum conduit (148) can be attached between the device (10) and the vacuum source (150) for subsequent use with another patient.

[0044] If it is desired to reduce the length of the tissue area being sampled, the slide (180) fixed to the radiolucent tube (38) can be extended distally with respect to the housing (12) to a predetermined distance so as to partially block the sample basket (154) when the needle (40) is in an extended position. Because the tube (38) and slide (180) are radiolucent, neither will interfere with the ability to view the surrounding site during a procedure.

[0045] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described herein, it is understood that variation and modification can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention claimed.