Patent ID: 11857171
Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 14:
15. A method of operating a biopsy apparatus, the biopsy apparatus comprising an instrument set configured for removable coupling with an instrument drive unit, the instrument set comprising an instrument set housing, an elongate outer cannula having an axial outer cannula lumen, a proximal portion coupled to the instrument set housing, and a distal portion having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof in communication with the outer cannula lumen, an elongate inner cannula disposed within the outer cannula lumen, an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere, an aspirate valve interposed in the aspiration vent, and an interference member, the inner cannula having a lumen in fluid communication with the tissue receiving aperture in the outer cannula via a distal opening in the inner cannula, the method comprising:
introducing the distal portion of the biopsy apparatus in tissue so that the tissue receiving aperture in the outer cannula is positioned adjacent the tissue targeted for biopsy;
applying vacuum though a proximal end of the inner cannula lumen;
translating the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue prolapsed into the tissue receiving aperture;
translating the inner cannula proximally relative to the outer cannula;
opening the aspirate valve to draw air into the biopsy apparatus through the aspiration vent to relieve a vacuum formed distal of the severed tissue, wherein, when the aspirate valve is open, the outer cannula lumen vents to a non-sealed interior of the instrument set housing through the aspiration vent; and
selectively mechanically actuating the interference member to prevent the aspirate valve from closing.