A biopsy device includes coaxially disposed inner and outer needles in which the outer needle tip is configured for obtaining a tissue sample. The inner surface of the outer needle includes a tissue retention feature which may include a countersink and/or a feature formed in the inner surface. The device may be introduced to a biopsy site through an introducer in which the introducer is vented and/or a certain ratio of introducer inner diameter and biopsy device outer diameter is maintained.

Methods and devices for identifying the 4.sup.th and the 5.sup.th intercostal spaces for the purpose of proper placement of ECG precordial leads, regardless of the patient's height and/or weight. By calculating the sternal length, the distance between the sternal notch and the xiphoid process, the locations of the 4.sup.th and 5.sup.th intercostal spaces can be determined. The present invention also features devices for measuring the length and to indicate to a user the location of the 4.sup.th and 5.sup.th intercostal spaces based on the measured sternal length. The methods and devices provide a more accurate identification of the 4.sup.th and the 5.sup.th intercostal spaces resulting in proper ECG lead placement, which then facilitates accurate ECG interpretation.

A biopsy device comprises a sheath equipped with a removable stylet. The sheath including a terminus with a distal chamber configured with a forward facing cutting edge comprising a plurality of movable blades. The plurality of movable blades including two counter rotating blades configured perpendicular or beveled relative to a long axis of the distal chamber, each counter rotating blade configured to pivot from a separate axis. The biopsy device further comprises a manipulation end controllable by a user to plunge the forward facing cutting edge at a sampling locus after removal of the removable stylet at a depth and to engage a cutting action by the plurality of movable blades at the depth selected to acquire at least one specimen storable in the distal chamber.

Various systems and methods are provided for surgical and interventional planning, support, post-operative follow-up, and functional recovery tracking. In general, a patient can be tracked throughout medical treatment including through initial onset of symptoms, diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment, and recovery from the surgical treatment. In one embodiment, a patient and one or more medical professionals involved with treating the patient can electronically access a comprehensive treatment planning, support, and review system. The system can provide recommendations regarding diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment, and recovery from the surgical treatment based on data gathered from the patient and the medical professional(s). The system can manage the tracking of multiple patients, thereby allowing for data comparison between similar aspects of medical treatments and for learning over time through continual data gathering, analysis, and assimilation to decision-making algorithms.

Various systems and methods are provided for surgical and interventional planning, support, post-operative follow-up, and functional recovery tracking. In general, a patient can be tracked throughout medical treatment including through initial onset of symptoms, diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment, and recovery from the surgical treatment. In one embodiment, a patient and one or more medical professionals involved with treating the patient can electronically access a comprehensive treatment planning, support, and review system. The system can provide recommendations regarding diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment, and recovery from the surgical treatment based on data gathered from the patient and the medical professional(s). The system can manage the tracking of multiple patients, thereby allowing for data comparison between similar aspects of medical treatments and for learning over time through continual data gathering, analysis, and assimilation to decision-making algorithms.

A biopsy device comprises a sheath equipped with a removable stylet. The sheath including a terminus with a distal chamber configured with a forward facing cutting edge comprising a plurality of movable blades. The plurality of movable blades including two counter rotating blades configured perpendicular or beveled relative to a long axis of the distal chamber, each counter rotating blade configured to pivot from a separate axis. The biopsy device further comprises a manipulation end controllable by a user to plunge the forward facing cutting edge at a sampling locus after removal of the removable stylet at a depth and to engage a cutting action by the plurality of movable blades at the depth selected to acquire at least one specimen storable in the distal chamber.

A biopsy probe mechanism includes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and having a sample receiving notch. An elongate sample receiving member and a cutting cannula are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis between a first relative position and a second relative position. A first echogenic feature is established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature is established on the cutting cannula. The first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the first relative position. The first echogenic feature is out of longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the second relative position.

A biopsy device includes coaxially disposed inner and outer needles in which the outer needle tip is configured for obtaining a tissue sample. The inner surface of the outer needle includes a tissue retention feature which includes a countersink having a predetermined length from the distal cutting edge of the outer needle.

A biopsy device includes coaxially disposed inner and outer needles in which the outer needle tip is configured for obtaining a tissue sample. The inner surface of the outer needle includes a tissue retention feature which may include a countersink and/or a feature formed in the inner surface. The device may be introduced to a biopsy site through an introducer in which the introducer is vented and/or a certain ratio of introducer inner diameter and biopsy device outer diameter is maintained.

A biopsy device includes coaxially disposed inner and outer needles in which the outer needle tip is configured for obtaining a tissue sample. The inner surface of the outer needle includes a tissue retention feature which may include a countersink and/or a feature formed in the inner surface. The device may be introduced to a biopsy site through an introducer in which the introducer is vented and/or a certain ratio of introducer inner diameter and biopsy device outer diameter is maintained.