A biopsy needle system includes a needle extending from a tissue piercing distal end to a proximal end. The needle defines a lumen extending from the distal end at least a portion of a length thereof and houses a target tissue. The system also includes an elongated member defining a channel therethrough open at a proximal end. The channel is sized and shaped to permit passage of the needle therethrough. Further, the system includes an end cap coupled to the distal end of the elongate member. The end cap includes a hole extending through a lateral wall thereof. The hole is sized and shaped to permit passage of the needle therethrough. The end cap further includes a ramp extending from the channel to the hole to guide the needle through the hole. The ramp is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member.

A device that can perform excisions of tissue samples. The device may comprise an instrument body, a cutting and capturing assembly, and a biasing mechanism. The cutting and capturing assembly and the biasing mechanism can be configured to be releasably attached from the instrument body. The cutting and capturing assembly may be configured to have two fixtures, which can include a tubular sharp-edged tool and a capturing mechanism. At least a portion of the cutting and capturing assembly may be housed in the instrument body. In vivo, the device can create an incision in the tissue sample, which may be performed by the tubular sharp-edged tool. The capturing mechanism can be extended toward the incision, which can occur upon receiving an extension signal from the biasing mechanism. The capturing mechanism can capture the tissue sample from the incision, retract into the instrument body, and eject the retained tissue sample.

Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus can be provided for obtaining portions or samples of tissue from a target region of a biological tissue. One or more needles can be provided that have a small internal diameter, e.g., about 1 mm or less, and the needles can be configured to extract the tissue portions when the needles are inserted into and withdrawn from the tissue. Windows and/or markings can be provided on the wall of the needles to facilitate access to the sample. The needles can be provided in an enclosure, and an actuator can be provided to direct the needles into the tissue and/or withdraw them. A plurality of tissue portions having known relative locations in the target region can be obtained, and extraction of the tissue portions can be well-tolerated by the tissue as compared with conventional punch biopsies or the like.

A tissue collection device (1) for collection of one or more exposed tissue samples (2) from a biopsy needle or biopsy device, which tissue collection device comprises one or more pieces of a carrier medium (6) and is arranged to temporarily bring a piece of carrier medium into physical contact with the tissue sample, while the tissue sample is still positioned in the biopsy needle or biopsy device, so that the tissue sample (2) adheres to the carrier medium (6) and is removed from the biopsy needle (3) or biopsy device (4) with the carrier medium (6), when the carrier medium (6) is removed from the biopsy needle or biopsy device again. Furthermore, a biopsy device comprising such a tissue collection device is disclosed.

A sample collection and processing apparatus includes a tissue processing cassette and a biopsy device. The tissue processing cassette is sized to be used in a pathology laboratory for purposes of dehydrating, embedding and sectioning. The tissue processing cassette has at least one distal opening through which tissue samples are received and has a floor with a plurality of openings. The biopsy device has a cassette holder adapted to receive the tissue processing cassette. The cassette holder has a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source and in fluid communication with the interior of the tissue processing cassette through the openings of the floor such that vacuum from the vacuum source facilitates the transfer of the cut tissue samples into the received tissue processing cassette.

A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, a cutter, and a tissue sample holder. The tissue sample holder comprises an outer cup and a cap. A tray retains severed tissue samples from a biopsy procedure. In some versions, the tray is selectively detachable from the cap in a one-handed operation by the user. The tray may be ejected into a sample container, such as a formalin cup. The cap may include a threaded portion that is configured to engage a complementary threaded portion of a sample container to seal the sample container once the tissue samples have been transferred to the sample container from the tissue sample holder of the biopsy device. One or more ports may be provided in the cap to manage excess fluid within the outer cup of the tissue sample holder, and/or to provide integrated access for a marker delivery device.

A biopsy arrangement for taking a biopsy in a human or animal tissue, said biopsy arrangement comprising: a driver unit; and at least two different types of probes which can be releasably connected to the driver unit, said at least two different types of probes comprising at least a first probe type and a second probe type, wherein said driver unit comprises at least two different probe controlling devices which are controlling different probe modules in a connected probe, said at least two different probe controlling devices comprising a suction generating device and a needle moving device, and wherein probe modules of the first probe type comprise a suction transferring module and at least one needle manipulating module, wherein said suction transferring module is configured for transferring a suction from the suction generating device of the driver unit to a needle of the first probe type and wherein said at least one needle manipulating module is a first probe type needle manipulating module configured for providing longitudinal and/or rotational movement to at least a part of the needle of the first probe type, and wherein probe modules of the second probe type comprise at least one needle manipulating module, which is a second probe type spring loaded needle manipulating module which is configured for providing a spring loaded longitudinal movement to at least a part of a needle of the second probe type.

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing tissue sampling. In an illustrative embodiment, an illustrative apparatus includes a flexible sheath having a lumen, a needle slidably received within the lumen, and a force translator configured to translate a proximal biased force into a distal force of the needle at a distal end of the flexible sheath.

A method for using a biopsy device includes providing a housing, a cannula, a cutting sheath, a pressure generating device, and a valve. The pressure generating device is configured to selectively generate each of a positive pressure and a negative pressure. The valve is positioned in the housing and positioned in fluid communication between the cannula and the pressure generating device to control a fluid flow between the lumen of the cannula and the pressure generating device such that each of the positive pressure and the negative pressure selected is controlled by the valve. The method includes operating the valve to build up the selected positive pressure or negative pressure.

A device for collecting a biological sample in a patient includes a collection portion having a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion. The second axial end portion has a collapsed position and an expanded position. The second axial end portion moves in an axial direction relative to the first axial end portion when the second axial end portion moves between the collapsed position and the expanded position. The second axial end portion extends axially into the first axial end portion and has a concave shape when in the collapsed position. The second axial end portion is convex when in the expanded position.