A full core biopsy device includes a needle assembly having stylet, spoon, and at least one coring cannula. A window is located in at least one of the spoon and coring cannula. An excising finger is configured to prolapse through the window into a lumen of the inner spoon or cannula to sever a tissue sample upon translation or axial advancement of the excising finger.

A biopsy needle for collecting a tissue specimen includes an outer cannula and an inner tube received within the outer cannula and configured to receive a stylet. The outer cannula is fixedly coupled to a needle holder that is coupled to and moves with a movable base that is axially movable within the handle housing. An inner driven structure (curvilinear part) is configured to selectively engage the movable base and travel therewith in a first stage of operation and in a second stage of operation in which the inner driven structure is disengaged from the movable base, the inner driven structure is driven along the movable base which is held in a stationary position. The coupling between the inner driven structure and the inner tube is such that the axial driving of the inner driven structure imparts rotation to the inner tube relative to the outer cannula.

A biopsy system includes a biopsy device, a control module, and a tissue transport tube. The biopsy device includes a probe, a needle, a cutter, and a transport valve. The needle extends distally from the probe. The cutter is movable relative to the needle and defines a cutter lumen. The holster is configured to couple to the probe. The transport valve is in communication with the cutter lumen. The control module is in communication with the biopsy device and includes a sample management assembly configured to receive one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter. The transport tube extends between the sample management assembly and the biopsy device. The transport tube is in communication with the transport valve such that the transport tube is configured to receive the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter.

An actuator device comprises first, second and third actuators operatively connected to a biopsy needle arrangement comprising a needle inside a sheath. The needle arrangement has a closed state and an open state, a tip portion abutting a needle sheath in the closed state, and the tip portion extending from the distal end of the needle sheath in the open state. The first actuator pushes the needle distally in a sliding direction x relative to the needle sheath a first distance, d1, at which the needle arrangement is in its open state. The second actuator pushes the needle sheath distally in the sliding direction x relative to the needle a second distance, d2. The third actuator pushes the needle sheath distally in the sliding direction x relative to the needle a third distance, d3, where d3 is smaller than d2, at which the needle arrangement is in its closed state.

A biopsy arrangement for taking a biopsy in a human or animal tissue, said biopsy arrangement comprising: —a needle arrangement (3) comprising an elongated inner needle part (5) and an elongated outer needle part (7), which outer needle part (7) is a hollow member in which the inner needle part (5) fits coaxially, wherein the two needle parts can be provided in at least two different positions in relation to each other; —an activator (11) which is arranged in the biopsy arrangement (1) such that it can be moved within the biopsy arrangement, said activator (11) comprising: —a first activating part (13) which is configured to control a needle locking device (21) provided in the biopsy arrangement (1) to lock or not lock the inner needle part (5) and the outer needle part (7) to each other; and —a second activating part (15) which is configured to control a needle translation device (31) provided in the biopsy arrangement (1) to change a position of the inner (5) and outer needle parts (7) in relation to each other, said needle translation device (31) being connected to at least one of the inner or outer needle parts (5, 7), whereby a movement of the activator (11) within the biopsy arrangement (1) can affect a position of both the first and the second activating parts (13, 15) whereby both the needle locking device (21) and the needle translation device (31) can be controlled.

A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described, as well as alternative systems for tissue preservation and transport. The cutting device includes an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. A temperature control sleeve may be disposed around the tissue collector to control the temperature of the tissue samples. A preservation system may be supplied that is configured to deliver fluids to tissue samples in the tissue collector. A fluid supply sleeve may be disposed about the outer cannula and is selectively positionable along the length of the outer cannula.

A biopsy system for harvesting larger volumes of tissue as compared to standard core biopsy needles. The system has a needle with a lumen, an aperture disposed at the distal end of the needle and connected to the lumen, and a cutting mechanism adapted to cut tissue. When the needle is rotated after it is inserted into a target tissue, the cutting mechanism cuts from the tissue and directs the cut tissue portions into the lumen. Multi-bioimpedance measurements are used to guide a needle and direct the application of electricity for cauterizing tissue.

Self-righting articles, such as self-righting capsules for administration to a subject, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may be configured such that the article may orient itself relative to a surface. The self-righting articles described herein may comprise one or more tissue engaging surfaces configured to engage with a surface. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may have a particular shape and/or distribution of density (or mass) which, for example, enables the self-righting behavior of the article. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may comprise a tissue interfacing component and/or a pharmaceutical agent (e.g., for delivery of the active pharmaceutical agent to a location internal of the subject). In some cases, upon contact of the tissue with the tissue engaging surface of the article, the self-righting article may be configured to release one or more tissue interfacing components.

An improved flexible endoscopic instrument to precisely and efficiently obtains samples of flat polyps and multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope. In one aspect, the cutting tool is coupled to a flexible torque coil or torque rope that is configured to transfer rotational energy from a powered actuator through the length of the endoscope onto the cutting tool.

A hand held instrument for harvesting a biopsy sample is provided. The instrument includes a housing, an annular blade on a distal end of said housing for cutting axially cutting a biopsy, a transverse blade unit for transversely cutting the biopsy, and a plunger unit positioned within the housing ejecting the biopsy sample away from inside the housing after said biopsy sample has been transversely cut.