This disclosure relates to biopsy instruments and methods for taking a biopsy. More specifically, this disclosure relates to disposable biopsy devices for removing several tissue samples using a single insertion.
In the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, it is often necessary to remove multiple tissue samples from a suspicious mass. The suspicious mass is typically discovered during a preliminary examination involving visual examination, palpitation, X-ray, MRI, ultrasound imaging or other detection means. When this preliminary examination reveals a suspicious mass, the mass must be evaluated by taking a biopsy in order to determine whether the mass is malignant or benign. Early diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as other forms of cancer, can prevent the spread of cancerous cells to other parts of the body and ultimately prevent fatal results.
A biopsy of the breast, for example, can be performed by either an open procedure or a percutaneous method. The open surgical biopsy procedure first requires localization of the lesion by insertion of a wire loop, while using a visualization technique, such as X-ray or ultrasound. Next, the patient is taken to a surgical room where a large incision is made in the breast, and the tissue surrounding the wire loop is removed. This procedure causes significant trauma to the breast tissue, often leaving disfiguring results and requiring considerable recovery time for the patient. This is often a deterrent to patients receiving the medical care they require. The open technique, as compared to the percutaneous method, presents increased risk of infection and bleeding at the sample site. Due to these disadvantages, percutaneous methods are often preferred.
Percutaneous biopsies have been performed using either fine needle aspiration or core biopsy in conjunction with real-time visualization techniques, such as ultrasound, mammography (X-ray), MRI, PET, CT, terahertz technologies, etc. Fine needle aspiration involves the removal of a small number of cells using an aspiration needle. A smear of the cells is then analyzed using cytology techniques. Although fine needle aspiration is less intrusive than an open procedure, only a small amount of cells are available for analysis. In addition, this method does not provide for a pathological assessment of the tissue, which can provide a more complete assessment of the stage of the cancer, if found. In contrast, in core biopsy a larger fragment of tissue can be removed without destroying the structure of the tissue. Consequently, core biopsy samples can be analyzed using a more comprehensive histology technique, which indicates the stage of the cancer. In the case of small lesions, the entire mass may be removed using the core biopsy method. For these reasons core biopsy is preferred, and there has been a trend towards the core biopsy method, so that a more detailed picture can be constructed by pathology of the disease's progress and type.
The first core biopsy devices were of the spring advanced, “Tru-Cut” style consisting of a hollow tube with a sharpened edge that was inserted into the breast to obtain a plug of tissue. This device presented several disadvantages. First, the device would sometimes fail to remove a sample, therefore, requiring additional insertions. This was generally due to tissue failing to prolapse into the sampling notch. Secondly, the device had to be inserted and withdrawn to obtain each sample, therefore, requiring several insertions in order to acquire sufficient tissue for pathology.
Vacuum assisted core biopsy devices were subsequently developed that required only a single insertion into the biopsy site to remove multiple tissue samples. An example of a vacuum assisted core biopsy device incorporates a tube within a tube design that includes an outer piercing needle having a sharpened end for piecing the tissue. The outer tube has an opening for receiving tissue. An inner tube is slidingly disposed within the outer tube, and serves to cut tissue that has prolapsed into the opening in the outer cannula. A vacuum is used to draw the tissue into the opening in the outer cannula.
Vacuum assisted core biopsy devices are available in handheld (for use with ultrasound) and stereotactic (for use with X-ray) versions. Stereotactic devices are mounted to a stereotactic unit that locates the lesion and positions the needle for insertion. In preparation for a biopsy using a stereotactic device, the patient lies face down on a table and the breast protrudes from an opening in the table. The breast is then compressed and immobilized by two mammography plates. The mammography plates create images that are communicated in real-time to the stereotactic unit. The stereotactic unit then signals the biopsy device and positions the device for insertion into the lesion by the operator.
In contrast, when using the handheld model, the breast is not immobilized. Rather the patient lies on her back and the doctor uses an ultrasound device to locate the lesion. The doctor must then simultaneously operate the handheld biopsy device and the ultrasound device.
While the vacuum assisted core biopsy device presented an advancement in the field of biopsy devices, several disadvantages remain with some of the currently marketed devices. For example, when using the current biopsy devices, physicians have encountered significant difficulties severing the tissue. For instance, the inner cutter often fails to completely sever the tissue. When the inner cutting needle is withdrawn, no tissue sample is present (dry tap), and therefore, reinsertion is required. In the case of the vacuum assisted core biopsy device described above, the failure to completely sever the tissue after the first advancement of the inner cutter results in a necessary second advancement of the inner cutter. In this event, the procedure is prolonged, which is significant because the amount of trauma to the tissue and, ultimately, to the patient is greatly affected by the length of the procedure. Therefore, it is in the patient's best interest to minimize the length of the procedure by making each and every attempt at cutting the tissue a successful and complete cut.
In light of the foregoing disadvantages, a need remains for a tissue removal device that reliably applies a vacuum without becoming plugged with blood and bodily fluids. A need also remains for a tissue removal device that is entirely disposable so that both exposure to bio-hazard and clean-up time are significantly minimized, while convenience is maximized. A further need remains for a tissue removal device that completely severs the maximum amount of tissue without requiring numerous attempts at cutting the tissue. A need also remains for a tissue removal device that is compatible with multiple imaging modalities. Finally, a need remains for a biopsy tissue removal device that is easy to use and does not cause a surgeon strain during use, but provides satisfactory access to a lesion to be biopsied.
A surgical device is disclosed. The surgical device comprises an outer sleeve, a cutting element, a spool, a piston, and a spring. The cutting element extends from the outer sleeve at the distal end of the outer sleeve. The cutting element comprises an outer cannula and an inner cannula. The spool is engaged with the outer cannula. The piston is engaged with the inner cannula. A spring is positioned between the spool and the piston. The spool is translated distally to translate the outer cannula towards the distal end. And the piston translates the inner cannula towards the distal end to sever tissue.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to the drawings, illustrative embodiments are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an embodiment. Further, the embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the invention to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.
Overview
A tissue removal device used for breast biopsy is attached to a stereotactic table for positioning. A patient's target area for tissue removal is immobilized (e.g., a breast) in relation to the tissue removal device. The stereotactic table allows precise positioning of a biopsy device, or any other device, at a known target area. Moreover, the stereotactic table allows for visualization of a known location for confirmation or for providing a three-dimensional location future analysis and/or treatment. In many cases, the tissue removal device is a surgical device, such as is described in detail below and in the drawings.
The device may include an adapter for mounting the surgical device to a positioning system, for example, a stereotactic table. However, the surgical device may also be used with other positioning systems. In such a case, the adapter may be configured to engage both the positioning system and the surgical device. In an example, a Lorad® bracket may be used to attach the device to a Lorad® table.
When the surgical device is installed with a positioning system, movements of the positioning system allow for the precise removal of tissue samples. Moreover, a surgeon may use one or many visualization systems (i.e., imaging modalities) to further identify a target area and then precisely position the surgical device to remove tissue at the target area. The imaging modalities include, for example, MRI, PET, CT, ultrasound, terahertz technologies, etc. The location of the target area is determined and the position is recorded for manual or automatic movement of the positioning system and the surgical device.
An introducer cannula is positioned and inserted into the patient to provide a pathway to the target location, in one example using a separate “stylet” to pierce the patient's tissue. The stylet, which is inserted through the introducer cannula and moved into the patient with the introducer cannula, is removed from the introducer cannula after creating the pathway. The surgical device is then inserted through the introducer cannula and into the pathway to the target site. Once the surgical device is positioned, the tissue cutting portion of the device that is part of the surgical device is thereby positioned within the patient close to the target site. In a blunt tip embodiment of the surgical device, once the surgical device is positioned within the pathway, the device is ready to resect tissue samples.
In another embodiment with a trocar tip, the introducer cannula may be disposed over an outer cannula of the surgical device. The trocar tip may be used to create the pathway for the surgical device. Alternatively, the stylet may also be used, as described above. Once the inserted into the patient, the tissue cutting portion is then fired to a final distance to the target site and tissue is resected (i.e., severed removed from the patient). The resected tissue may be used for diagnosis of the possible pathologic condition or tissue may be debulked to remove the target area in its entirety.
In use, for example, the surgical device may be activated by using remote valves. In another example, the surgical device is operated using a remote valve to fire the tissue cutting portion into the patient to the final position and a console pedal is used to perform the biopsy functions.
Before, during, or after tissue is removed, one or more treatments may also be introduced at the target site. Such treatments include brachytherapy and other adjuvant treatments (such as, ablating tissue, heating tissue, freezing tissue, applying chemicals to tissue, external beam HIFU therapy, interstitial HIFU therapy, electroporation therapy, ultrasonicporation therapy, interstitial microwave therapy, etc.). Examples of such adjuvant treatments are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/550,209, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE DISEASE THERAPY,” filed Oct. 17, 2006 by Joseph L. Mark, the contents of which are included in their entirety herein.
Referring now to the drawings,
Alternatively, in one embodiment, cutting element 132 may include a blunt tip end (see
Referring now to
Referring back to
Rotator 106 includes a fitting 140 where a vacuum line attaches to provide vacuum to cutting element 132. A rotation indicator 122 may be provided that describes the rotary position of cutting element 132. Rotation indicator 122 is a window that is cut through outer sleeve 102 so as to expose an inner body (see element 190 in
The components of surgical device 100 are configured such that the turning of rotator 106 is not overly burdensome on the operator (e.g., a surgeon). Thus, the torque required to turn rotator 106, and necessarily cutting element 132 including a sampling aperture 250 (see
Surgical device 100 itself may be disengaged from adapter 112 by pulling up on latch lever 108, which in turn disengages a latch 180 (described in detail below with respect to
Housed within outer sleeve 102 is an inner body 190 that contains moving elements of surgical device 100. Within inner body 190, surgical device 100 further includes an air motor 200 that is fixedly connected to inner cannula 162 (see
A spool 202 is connected to outer cannula 160. The spool fires or retracts outer cannula 160 as explained below in detail with respect to
The fluid pressure is selectively presented at locations along outer sleeve 102 at a biopsy port 210, a motor inlet port 212, and a firing port 216. The operation of each port 210, 212, 216 is described in detail below with respect to
Fitting 140 includes a glue well 220 or barb that is used to connect to tubing that leads to a remote tissue collection canister (see
In a second embodiment 270, second introducer cannula 262 is used that has a length L2 which is longer than length L1. Because the distance along outer cannula 160 is fixed, second introducer cannula 262 protrudes at distal end 280 partially over sampling aperture 250 and effectively reduces the size of sampling aperture 250 resulting in a reduced volume of prolapsed tissue 282 entering outer cannula 160. Thus, by using different length introducer cannulas 260, 262 a surgeon is able to determine the effective sampling aperture of surgical device 100 by selectively limiting access to sampling aperture 250. It is contemplated that a length of introducer cannula 104 will leave sampling aperture 250 entirely open, or the length may be configured to substantially close sampling aperture 250, or any length therebetween may control the effective size of sampling aperture 250.
It is understood, that prior to taking a sample of tissue 274/282, inner cannula 162 may be positioned so as to be disposed substantially flush to sampling aperture 250. However, in some situations (depending on a variety of factors), when inner cannula 162 is in this position, vacuum from inner cannula 162 may pull tissue into sampling aperture 250 prior to the cutting stroke. And, if this occurs, the drawn tissue may seal gap 164 between inner and outer cannulae 162 and 160, respectively, thereby creating a vacuum lock on any tissue in the cannula or similar diameter tubing. Thus, if this occurs, the excised tissue may be prevented from freely passing though the inner cannula 162.
The positioning of lower portion 411 proximal with wall portion 408 provides registration of introducer hub 126 to adapter 112. Moreover, when surgical device 100 is selectively attached to adapter 112 and when introducer hub 126 is in place, registration and position relative to each of adapter 112, surgical device 100, introducer hub 126, distal end 130, and cutting element 132 is secured. Such registration allows for precise positioning of cutting element 132 relative to adapter 112 and the target area. Typically, adapter 112 is linked to a positioning table allowing for precise positioning of adapter 112 and surgical device 100. Note that introducer hub 126 is independently attachable to wall portion 408 such that introducer hub 126 may be left attached to wall portion 408 when surgical device is disengaged from adapter 112 and removed from adapter 112.
A first seal 420 and a second seal 422 engage outer cannula 160 to prevent leakage of pressure or fluids from surgical device 100. Outer cannula 160 is slidably and rotatably free to move along its axis with respect to first seal 420 and second seal 422, among other seals described below. Saline line 150 engages a connector 424 near the front portion of surgical device 100. Connector 424 engages with a saline channel 426 and is sealed with a saline o-ring 428. Saline channel 426 is further sealed between first seal 420 and second seal 422 and allows for the flow of saline around outer cannula 160.
When outer cannula 160 is in the fired position (shown translated distally in
An exhaust chamber 440 is an open space within inner body 190 allowing for movement of air motor 200 distally when spool 202 has moved forward. When air motor 200 is active (by running pressure through the motor portion) air may exit, thereby creating flow, through motor exhaust 214. Additionally, a first seal 450 and a second seal 452 prevent air pressure from motor exhaust from escaping beyond an annular channel 454.
Distally, exhaust chamber 440 is sealed. In one embodiment a cup seal is used. In another embodiment, a ring 442 is seated in an annular groove 444 in spool 202 and by an inner cannula seal 468. A seal 754 on air motor 200 seals exhaust chamber 440 proximally. Inner cannula seal 468 prevents saline flow back into the mechanism and forces the saline toward the distal end of outer cannula 160 (discussed in detail with respect to
Inner cannula 162 is sealed at a proximal cap 120 by an o-ring 818. As discussed above, inner cannula 162 is glued (or otherwise fixedly attached) to air motor 200. Thus, when air motor 200 is translated, inner cannula 162 also moves. O-ring 818 allows inner cannula 162 to move while still maintaining a seal between proximal cap 120, biopsy cavity 808, and inner cannula 162. Additionally, fitting 140 is sealed by an o-ring 820. An end of fitting 140 is sealingly received within a distal end of a vacuum line. Thus, when a vacuum is applied to the vacuum line, the vacuum is contained and pulled through sample lumen 166 (see
Referring back to
When pressure is applied, seal 310 moves within groove 830 to seal against inner body 190 and outer sleeve 102. Both seal 310 and the floating o-ring embodiments permit inner body 190 to be turned within outer sleeve 102 without undue friction. Thus, the user may turn cutting element 132 and inner body 190 by light force using rotator 106 (see
An introducer mounting system 490 includes wall portion 408 that receives introducer system 640 and provides a stable attachment point for clip-on features 652 of introducer hub 126 (described above in detail with respect to
Adapter 112 may be attached to a positioning table by bracket 110 (see
Trocar holder 540 includes a pair of receiving grooves 542, 544 allow trocar holder 540 to slide along adapter 112 (see
The external trocar locks into a pair of seats 550, 552, and spring clip 570 (see
When first rear seal 760 and front seal 754 are under a pressure applied from operating air motor 200, seals 760 and 754 will expand due to the cup seal configuration. Thus, sealing will be improved when air motor 200 is pressurized. Because biopsy cavity 808 is also selectively pressurized, second rear seal 762 will also expand and provide improved sealing.
Air motor 200 further includes a pass-through 770 for inner cannula 162 to extend through. Inner cannula 162 extends from a distal end (see
Saline line 154 is connected to surgical device 100 (see
Actuator rod 806 extends through remote valve 800 and includes a first seal 848, a second seal 846, a third seal 844, and a fourth seal 842. Seals 846 and 848 may be configured as o-rings. Seals 842 and 844 may be configured as quad-rings (or four-lobed rings having parting lines away from the sealing surface) to prevent pressurized air from first port 850, and third port 854 from venting as seals 842, 844 pass over them. As actuator rod 806 is traversed through remote valve body 810, seals 842, 844, 846, 848 create air flow regions for ports 858, 856, 854, 852, 850 to selectively connect to each other or vent to the atmosphere to control operation of surgical device 100. As shown in
Because first seal 848 is an o-ring and is exhausted directly to the atmosphere across the entire circumference of the O-ring, rather than through a port (see
Third port 854 is then connected to second port 852, console inlet 814, and a pressure source from a console (not shown). When third port 854 and second port 852 are connected by virtue of first seal 842, second seal 844 and cavity 872, pressure is applied to biopsy cavity 808 and air motor 200 is moved forward in biopsy mode slightly after spool 202 is fired forward (described in detail below with respect to
Referring now to
At step 2015, surgical device 100 is connected to console 194 (see
At step 2020, console 194 is powered on. Console 194 performs a self-test of it's internal systems in preparation for use with surgical device 100. For example, inputs, outputs, vacuum and pressure systems are tested for proper functionality. The process then continues with step 2025.
At step 2025, surgical device 100 is tested using console 194. A protective sheath (not shown) is typically a plastic tube and is placed over outer cannula 160 (see
At step 2030, the sheath covering the outer cannula is removed upon completion of testing surgical device 100, console 194, and the saline system. The process then continues with step 2035.
At step 2035, the introducer system, including introducer cannula 104 and introducer hub 126 (see
At step 2040, surgical device 100 is cocked. Remote valve 800 is set to the cocked position (shown in
At step 2045, surgical device 100 is mounted to adapter 112 which in turn is mounted on a movable portion of a stereotactic table, Surgical device 100 is secured onto adapter 112 and latch 180 is engaged with adapter 112 for positive attachment (see
At step 2050, a needle guide (used to stabilize introducer cannula 104) is advanced toward the patient. For example, in the case of a breast biopsy the needle guide is advanced toward the patient's breast. This can be accomplished manually or by using the stereotactic table positioning controls. For example, using table controls to advance the needle guide includes enabling the table's motor and then inputting the appropriate X/Y location. The process then continues with step 2055.
At step 2055, the location of the target site is verified. Typically, stereotactic location pairs (e.g., two or more images taken from different angles) are used to confirm the location of introducer cannula 104 relative to the target site. Once the target location is confirmed, the process then continues with step 2060.
At step 2060, surgical device 100 is positioned given the Z-location of the target site. Typically, the Z location is a manual adjustment made by the user. Z positioning is stopped short by the exact distance of the firing stroke of surgical device 100. That is to say, the position of introducer cannula 104 is advanced to a position where, when outer cannula 160 is fired; the center of aperture 250 (see
At step 2065, outer cannula 160 is fired to the target site. Surgical device 100 is fired using remote valve 800. Outer cannula 160 is fired and trocar tip 134 rapidly pierces the patient's tissue to leave cutting element 132 at the target site (described in detail above with respect to
At step 2070, the biopsy process is performed. Biopsy cores are severed and pulled through the system to collection canister 922 by the aspiration vacuum. Users typically rotate aperture 250 in a predetermined pattern to sample at a predetermined number of angles around the target site. For example, a user may rotate aperture 250 from positions at 10:00 to 12:00 to 2:00, taking a biopsy sample at each location. Moreover, the user may sample continuously around the target location. In a typical sampling, the user takes biopsy samples at 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, and 12:00 positions. In doing so, the user rotates aperture 250 using rotator 106 (see
At step 2075, the biopsy process is completed and the user may verify that tissue has been resected from the patient and is trapped in collection canister 922. The process then continues with step 2080
At step 2080, biopsy cavity may be ravaged. The lavage function allows for the placement of markers in a clean cavity. It also allows for the clearing out of bodily fluids from collection canister 922 before removal and harvesting of the cores taken. To lavage the biopsy cavity, console 194 is set into lavage mode where aperture 250 is open, and saline flushes the system and the target site for about 30 seconds. The user may selectively shorten or lengthen the lavage time until clean fluid is seen passing through the collection canister 922. The process then continues with step 2085.
At step 2085, the saline supply is disabled and the target site/biopsy cavity is aspirated. Surgical device 100 is also aspirated which removes fluids, e.g. saline and bodily fluids, from the system. To aspirate the system, stopcock 890 (see
At step 2090, the biopsy cores are harvested from collection canister 922 (see
At step 2095, a treatment may be applied to the biopsy cavity. Treatments may include, for example, saline wash, haemostatic agents, drugs, or other therapies may be applied or introduced to the target site through saline line 150 and outer cannula 160. The process then continues with step 2100.
At step 2100, surgical device 100 is removed from adapter 112 and the stereotactic table. For removal, latch lever 108 is pushed up by the user to unlock surgical device 100 from adapter 112. The user then slides surgical device 100 off of rail 476 (see
At step 2110, if desired, a surgical site marker is deployed through introducer cannula 104. A marker delivery system (not shown) may be used that is sized to introducer's internal diameter and length. Thus, when a marker is deployed, leakage is reduced from introducer cannula 104 and the marker will be placed precisely in the location where tissue was resected at the target site. Examples of a suitable marker delivery system are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/305,141 by Terry D. Hardin et al., filed on Dec. 16, 2005, the contents of which are disclosed herein in its entirety. A deployment pushrod will snap into introducer hub 126 to exactly locate the end of the deployment pushrod and mark at the exact location of the aperture that was used to sample. The surgical site marker is typically pushed down the lumen of introducer cannula 104 to provide a locating mechanism to ascertain the position of the target site in the future. The process then continues with step 2115.
At step 2115, the marker delivery system is removed from introducer cannula 104. Alternatively, the marker system and introducer cannula 104 may be removed at the same time by unlatching introducer hub 126 from adapter 112. The process then continues with step 2020.
At step 2120, the marker location is confirmed using an imaging modality (such as, e.g., stereotactic x-ray photography or ultrasound). The process then continues with step 2025.
At step 2125, introducer cannula 104 is removed from adapter 112 and is discarded. However, step 2125 is skipped when the user chooses to remove the marker delivery system and introducer cannula 104 in the same step as described above in step 2115. The process then continues with step 2030.
At step 2130, the needle guide is removed and discarded. Adapter 112 remains attached to the stereotactic table and may be cleaned if necessary. The process then ends.
In some cases a user of surgical device 100 may desire to use a separate trocar to create a pathway for surgical device 100. For example, in those embodiments where surgical device 100 includes a blunt tip end rather than trocar tip 134, it is desirable to use trocar 575 to facilitate the creation of the pathway. A general process flow for utilizing trocar 575 is set forth in
At step 3010 the sterile trocar 575 is unpackaged from a sealed sterile shipping/storage package. The process then continues with step 3015.
At step 3015, trocar 575 is connected to trocar holder 540. Trocar holder 540 is a permanent piece that does not come into contact with bodily fluids. As such, it is reusable for multiple procedures. A portion of trocar 575 is engaged with seats 550, 552. In one embodiment, trocar holder 540 is provided with a clip 570 that snaps into engagement with a groove 573 formed on a sidewall of trocar 575 to fixedly attach trocar 575 to trocar holder 540. Once trocar 575 is engaged with trocar holder 540, the process then continues with step 3020.
At step 3020, the introducer system, including introducer cannula 104 and introducer hub 126 is locked into vertical portion 408 of adapter 112 (see
Next, at step 3025, trocar holder 540 with trocar 575 secured thereto, is mounted to adapter 112, which in turn is mounted on a movable portion of a stereotactic table. More specifically, receiving grooves 542, 544 are engaged with edges 746 of adapter 112 and slid along adapter 112 until a bottom portion of trocar holder 540 reaches slot 488. At slot 488, trocar holder snaps into place to fixedly secure trocar holder 540 to adapter 112. Further, a tip of trocar 575, which is secured to trocar holder 540, enters into and extends through introducer cannula 104 as trocar holder 540 is slid along adapter 112. Once trocar holder 540 is secured to adapter 112, the process proceeds to step 3030.
Like the process flow described in connection with
At step 3035, the trocar 575, with the introducer cannula 104 positioned therearound, is advanced toward the patient, through the needle guide, to create a pathway. This may be accomplished by using the stereotactic table positioning controls. The process then continues with step 3040.
At step 3040, the positioning of trocar 575 and/or introducer cannula 104 is verified to insure that the pathway created by trocar 575 leads to the desired target site. In one embodiment, stereotactic location pairs (e.g., two or more images taken from different angles) are used to confirm the location of trocar 575 and/or introducer cannula 104. Once the target is confirmed, the process then continues with step 3045.
At step 3045, trocar 575 is withdrawn from introducer cannula 104. In one embodiment, trocar holder 540 is released from slot 488 and slid backward along edges 746 of adapter 112, until trocar holder 540 (still carrying trocar 575) is disengaged with adapter 112. Once disengaged, clip 570 of trocar holder 540 is activated to release trocar 575.
In another embodiment, trocar 575 is released from trocar holder 540 (by activation of clip 570) and withdrawn from introducer cannula 104. Then, trocar holder 540 is released from slot 488 and slid backward along edges 746 of adapter 112 until holder is disengaged with adapter 112. In both embodiments, introducer cannula 104 remains in registration with the target site. Blood and other bodily fluids are prevented from flowing through intruder hub 126 by a normally closed seal therein. The process then proceeds to step 3050.
After trocar 575 is removed, at step 3050, surgical device 100 is then mounted to adapter 112 which is already secured to a movable portion of the stereotactic table. Prior to mounting surgical device 100 to adapter 112, steps 2010-2030, 2040 from the process flow described in connection with
When mounting surgical device 100 to adapter 112, a cradle 114 of surgical device 100 is slid along edges 746 of adapter 112 until a front face surgical device 100 engages wall portion 408 and latch tongue 470 engages latch slot 472. Further, while surgical device 100 is slid along adapter 112, outer cannula 160 is inserted into introducer cannula 104 and is moved therethrough. When surgical device 100 is moved and locked into position on adapter 112, trocar tip 134 of outer cannula 160 extends outwardly from a distal end of introducer cannula 104 (see
The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
With regard to the processes, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes described herein are provided for illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed to limit the claimed invention.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc, should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
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